Fall Fun for Everyone

The Meadowcreek Fall Festival and Arts & Craft Vendor Fair is scheduled for Saturday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There is just something about fall that encourages outdoor activities and a desire to get back to basics. Pumpkin patches, bake sales, mazes, and scarecrow building all ­signal the return to cooler ­temperatures and the fun of trick or treating right around the corner.
    Fall festivals abound ­during the month of October, each promising “something for everyone.” Meadowcreek United Methodist Church, located at 14205 E. 146th St N. in Collinsville, hosts an annual fall festival that ­delivers on the promise that everyone will have a great time.
    The Meadowcreek Fall Festival and Arts & Craft Vendor Fair will be Saturday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event Chair Carolyn Stewart is excited about all that they have to offer this year. “The response has been overwhelming,” says Carolyn. “This is our third year to hold this community-wide event and the word is getting out! People now make plans weeks in advance to attend our ­festival. It just keeps growing each year.”
    Held in conjunction with the church’s Pumpkin Patch, the day will be filled with activities and entertainment. Inflatables are always a huge draw and this year, they will have an incredible maze for children of all ages to enjoy. “There is a small fee to enjoy the maze,” explains Carolyn. “This is because we do not use hay or cornstalks for the maze. We found that there are a lot of children with ­allergies and they simply could not ­participate. Our church ­decided to use PVC pipe – and lots of it – to ­create our maze. It is a little more costly, but definitely worth the effort.”
    Live entertainment throughout the day keeps the atmosphere upbeat and ­festive. Just a few of those appearing include Jim Igarta, Larry Lang's Singing for Jesus Ministries, a gospel-singing "Elvis," The New Tulsans, The Faith Trio, and Fergie Bear.
    The Fall Festival committee has been busy ­recruiting only the best for their booth spaces at the Arts & Craft Vendor Fair. Over 20 crafters and vendors will be there to offer great ideas for early Christmas shopping, or if you just want to indulge yourself. A huge bake sale will be happening too, and a ­concession offering hot dogs, hamburgers and more will ensure no one leaves the ­festival hungry.
    Volunteers from Ward Wiseman Animal Shelter will be on hand with a ­variety of animals, all needing a loving home. Please stop by and see if one of these furry friends is meant to become a permanent part of your ­family.
    For groups and ­individuals with a creative flare, a scarecrow building contest is something new this year. Those wishing to ­participate will need to go to the church website, www.meadowcreekumc.org, in order to download a ­registration form. They may then drop their scarecrow off to the church the day before the event for judging.
    Carolyn says she is thrilled with the outpouring of support from the  The committee has asked for donations for gift baskets for the festival. No purchase is necessary, and all attendees just need to register to enter. Area merchants have generously provided goods and services for the baskets, so be sure to register!  The winner does not need to be present at the time of the drawing, which will be held in the afternoon.
    Pastor Brian Mangan explains that offering fun, family activities to the ­community at no cost is just one way that his church gives back. “Our Fall Festival takes a lot of volunteer hours from our congregation, but we know it is worth it. To us, it is a way to reach out and say ‘thank you’ to local families and to encourage a sense of community spirit.”

For more information, contact

Meadowcreek United Methodist Church

14205 E. 146th St. N.

Collinsville, OK 74021

(918) 371-3250

www.meadowcreekumc.org