‘What Oakmont is all about’: Chamber organizes fall festival

The Oakmont Chamber of Commerce is coordinating a day of Halloween-themed activities for the whole family in presenting the Oakmont Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29.

“I have owned a business here for 22 years, and each and every year we do this, it’s such a fantastic opportunity to bring people into town for everyone to see the good things happening in Oakmont,” Cathie Adams, chamber vice president and chairperson of the event, said.

“And just for the kids, seeing the smiles on their faces alone and letting them enjoy the day in town is just wonderful,” the proprietor of Oakmont Skin Care and Electrolysis added. “And for the adults, it’s such a pleasure to have familiar faces participating and also to show new faces what Oakmont is all about.”

The event kicks off with a parade for the children beginning at 11 behind the Kwik Fill near Washington Avenue, and everyone is encouraged to come in costume.

Oakmont Council approved the closure of Isabella Street between Delaware and Washington avenues for the parade lineup, and Allegheny River Boulevard between Pennsylvania and Washington to accommodate the parade and subsequent festival.

Following the parade, the kids are invited to trick-or-treat at businesses along the festival route on the boulevard. The trick-or-treating is sponsored by the Riverview Women’s Association, and members will be present to hand out out treat bags for the youngsters.

A new activity this year is a pie-eating contest, which starts at 1:30. Signups take place at noon underneath the clock tower, and there will be three age group classifications: 6-11, 12-17 and 18-plus. Registration is limited to 10 participants per age group and is on a first-come, first-served basis. The winners all receive prizes.

Following the pie-eating contest, at 2:30 p.m., will be a costume contest. Signups start at noon, and those participants also will receive prizes. There will be multiple categories for costumes, including cutest 5-and-under, scariest costume, and best group or couples costume.

A third contest is scarecrow decorating. Anyone who wishes to participate must register ahead of time with the chamber through its Facebook page or by emailing info@oakmont-pa.com. Registrations must be received by Oct. 28, and participants are permitted to decorate as many scarecrows as they would like.

The scarecrows will be displayed in the courtyard next to Oakmont Floral starting in the morning, and the contest judging takes place at 3 o’clock.

There will also be a pumpkin patch photo opportunity in the in Oakmont Floral courtyard, and families are encouraged to bring their cameras and phones to take pictures of their young ones.

Another new feature this year is the M&M Trackless Train, which will transport children and adults along the festival route, from Oakmont Olive Oil on Allegheny River Boulevard down to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Other family-friendly activities include a 5-and-under tiny pumpkin hunt, which will be taking place near the walkway by the train station, along with face painting and pumpkin painting, a hula hoop pumpkin toss and free cotton candy, which is sponsored by the Oakmont Chamber.

Confirmed food vendors include Franktuary, Atria’s, Del Vecchio’s, and Leone’s and Fox’s pizza. More food vendors will be confirmed prior to the event.

The day will also feature a disc jockey spinning tunes underneath the clock tower and serving as master of ceremonies, announcing contest winners, with the entire afternoon sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh Tree Service, which is ensuring that there is no admission charge for attendees.