Pumpkin art and superheroes meet for October’s First Friday in downtown Camas

Festivities will include pumpkin voting, art shows, superhero kids’ crafts and activities

CAMAS — Decorated pumpkins and superhero costumes will fill Downtown Camas on First Friday, Oct. 4, 5-8 p.m. Festivities will include pumpkin voting, art shows, superhero kids’ crafts and activities, photo booth, giveaways, treats, fall shopping and dining, and a superhero costume contest with prizes.

Activity details include:

• 14^th Annual “Pumpkin Pageant”: Participating downtown businesses will each have a carved or decorated pumpkin and there will be a People’s Choice Vote for the favorite. Voting enters you to win fall-themed prizes from the merchants. The People’s Choice winner also receives a prize basket.

• Superhero Costume Contest: Show off your best Superhero wear! Prizes for Best Costume Winners and Runners up for both adults and children, plus a prize for Best Group Costume generously provided by iQ Credit Union. Contest starts at 7 p.m. in Journey Church, 304 NE 4^th. Sign up that night in Journey between 5 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Original superhero costumes encouraged.
• Super Hero and autumn inspired Kids’ crafts and activities with the DCA at Journey
• Second Story Gallery will host a reception for the art show featuring the acrylic paintings of Ami Brimhall and the ceramics of Linda Kliewer.
• Camas Gallery will feature the remastered bronze sculptures of Foundry Michelangelo including iconic sculptures by Lorenzo Ghiglieri, Laran Ghiglieri, and Frederic Remington as well as the gallery’s fresh makeover at their First Friday artist reception along with refreshments and live music. 5-8 p.m., 408 NE 4^th.
• Attic Gallery’s featured artist will be Earl Hamilton, a favorite artist in this gallery, with many new abstract paintings for the show. Reception runs from 5-8 p.m., wine and refreshments, 421 NE Cedar.

• 3 Ribbon Cuttings
  o 5 p.m.: Cedar Street Bagel Company, 316 NE Cedar
  o 5:15 p.m.: Core Industries, 326 NE Cedar
  o 5:30 p.m.: Electrical Panel Co-work Space, 317 NE Cedar
• Body Bliss Yoga will be hosting a fundraising event with the nonprofit Capes and Crowns with a free photo booth set up for all kids. The Capes & Crowns Foundation is helping little heroes fight big battles and you can support them by purchasing a superhero art print by a local comic artist. All proceeds go to the Foundation so they can continue to offer “Inspire Sessions” – photography sessions that empower children battling serious illness, living with special needs, or any child who has been through a traumatic life situation. Capes and Crowns provides these sessions at absolutely no cost to qualifying families. Body Bliss will also be hosting free family yoga from 5-5:45 p.m. as they do each First Friday.
• Camas Family Health Center will be celebrating Trista Darling’s 10-year anniversary as the owner of Camas Family Health Center. They will have prizes, food, and refreshments to celebrate. 235 NE 6^th
• Liberty Theatre will be doing a Monty Python 50th Anniversary celebration featuring the Mid-Evil superheroes of MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (8 p.m. show time on Friday).
• Shopping and dining specials throughout town.

“The costume contests are some of our favorite First Friday activities,” says Carrie Schulstad, executive director of the Downtown Camas Association (DCA). “Kids love showing off their superhero moves and outfits and the adults have just as much fun! We also appreciate it when folks create their own superhero costume and bring something original to the event. It’s also fun to explore the shops and vote for your favorite carved pumpkin in the Pumpkin Pageant. A good reminder that fall is upon us and Downtown Camas is a great place to spend time this season.”

First Fridays are Art, Activities, Dining, and After Hours Shopping themed family friendly events coordinated by the DCA each month of the year to support downtown and to create connections in the community. For all the information, visit https://downtowncamas.com/event/october-first-friday-pumpkin-pageant-costume-contest and www.facebook.com/camasfirstfriday . 

Information provided by Downtown Camas Association.