May the fall be with you: Camas provides pumpkin pageant, Star Wars costume contest

Downtown Camas welcomes autumn and the Rebel Alliance with its annual pumpkin pageant and costume contest, returning this year beginning Sunday through First Friday, Oct. 2, featuring everyone’s favorite Galactic Empire.

“We love the fall and we love Star Wars and have such creative merchants doing the pumpkin pageant,” said Carrie Schulstad, the executive director of the Downtown Camas Association, in an email. “It’s a joy for us to see what people post and contribute.”

Participants can join the fun either virtually or in person in downtown Camas. For those who would like to play along from home, check the Downtown Camas First Friday Facebook Page every morning beginning Friday until Oct. 2, where a new pumpkin or Star Wars-inspired game or activity will be posted daily. The winners of each activity or friendly competition will be announced during a Facebook Live event at 5 p.m. Oct. 2, also on the First Friday Facebook page. Winners will receive downtown Camas merchant gift cards and other prizes.

Daily activities include a Star Wars trivia contest, fall-themed word searches and jumbles, a hunt for Star Wars characters downtown, a “guess the Star Wars episode” contest and a photo-captioning contest. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite character from the Star Wars universe and post a picture of themselves on the First Friday Facebook page — or post a picture of a Star Wars-inspired pumpkin. Prizes will be given for the best costumes in both adult and kid categories, courtesy of iQ Credit Union.

For those who’d like to enjoy the mellow fall weather and take a stroll through downtown Camas, creatively carved pumpkins will be displayed at downtown merchants on Oct. 1 and 2. Pumpkin spectators are encouraged to vote for their favorite pumpkins with a Pumpkin Passport, which will be posted online on the morning of Oct. 1 and is due by 3 p.m. Oct. 2. The merchant that gets the most votes wins a prize. For those who would rather peek at pumpkins from the comfort of home, online voting is also available. If you can’t make it to Camas before 3 p.m. Oct. 2, not to worry; many merchants will remain open until 8 p.m. that night.

For folks who aren’t as enthusiastic about sweeping space sagas or pretty pumpkins, check out Attic Gallery at 421 N.E. Cedar St. or Camas Gallery at 408 N.E. Fourth Ave., both of which will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2 with art shows and receptions.

Art aficionados can also view October exhibits online.

Complete First Friday details and instructions can be found at www.facebook.com/camasfirstfriday or www.downtowncamas.com.