Oakmont shines with annual Fall Festival

Oakmont Borough celebrated the Halloween season with the annual Fall Festival that took place in the center of town.

The most anticipated part was the Halloween parade, which kicked off the Oct. 29 festivities at 11 a.m. Led by the Riverview High School Marching Band, a group of costumed children and their parents lined up behind the Kwik-Fil on Washington Avenue and marched along Allegheny River Boulevard all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue, past numerous booths and vendors.

With Halloween-themed music coming through speakers near the borough’s clock tower, the younger attendees were then invited to trick-or-treat at boulevard businesses. The trick-or-treating was sponsored by the Riverview Women’s Association, members of which also were handing out treat bags for the kids.

There was plenty of food to be had for hungry patrons, with numerous food trucks and stations, including Franktuary, Atria’s, Mad Mac’s Homemade macarons, Pappy’s Gourmet Kettle Corn, Leone’s Pizza, Del Vecchio’s, the Boulevard Sweet Shop, the Pittsburgh Cookie Table and others, including the Boy Scouts from Troop 137, who were serving hot dogs and grilled cheese.

Adults also had their fair share of opportunities, with beverages offered by Acclamation Brewing, La Vigneta Winery, Crooked Creek Distillery and Still Mill Distillery.

In addition, there were numerous activities for young and old alike, including a pie-eating contest as a new addition this year. The participants were separated into age groups — under 12, 12-17 and 18-plus — and asked to dive face-first into pies that were donated by Oakmont Bakery, with the winners receiving a $25 prize.

More prizes were handed out immediately following the pie eating, with both a costume contest and a scarecrow-decorating contest taking place near the clock tower and in the Oakmont Floral courtyard, respectively.

But perhaps the biggest hit of the day was the M&M Trackless Train, which youngsters could ride with their parents from Oakmont Olive Oil all the way down to Pennsylvania Avenue.

“The train was so much fun and a great addition this year. We came last year, too, but we all thought the train was awesome,” Leslie Johnson, who came to the festival from Penn Hills with her family, said.

Another new activity this year, exemplifying the Halloween spirit, was a “bury-yourself coffin” sponsored by Penn Forest Natural Burial Park in Penn Hills. Festival attendees could, indeed, lie in a standard-sized coffin.

Other activities included makeup and face painting by Liv; toy axe throwing for candy; “guess the pumpkin’s weight for a prize,” sponsored by Anytime Fitness; free cotton candy, sponsored by the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce; pumpkin painting; a hula-hoop toss; and a 5-and-under pumpkin hunt.

The overall event was sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Tree Service and was the most well-attended Fall Festival yet, with the route filled with hundred of patrons throughout the day.

“This year’s Fall Festival was picture perfect. We had a beautiful fall day, and the people really came out because of it. The festival showcased what a wonderful town we have and the great selection of stores and restaurants we have here in Oakmont,” Karen DeTurck, chamber of commerce director, said.

“I think the pie eating contest was everyone’s favorite. The trackless train was also a hit with the kids and adults. There was something for everyone.”