Oxfordfest '23: At the end of the day, raves and crowds

Oct. 7—OXFORD — The final hour of the 2023 Oxfordfest kept the crowds in the streets of downtown almost to the final minutes as the 37th edition of the annual autumnal event seemed destined for the record books.

Crowds began flooding Choccolocco and Main streets as the opening ceremonies began early Saturday morning. The observations of visitors and officials were that the 40,000-person, record-breaking crowd in 2022 may have been surpassed, not to mention the duration of the size of the crowd throughout the day.

Visitors were greeted by a full slate of vendors who had spent the night setting up their booths to offer a wide variety of food, crafts and handshakes — with the Oxfordfest Commmittee still holding a list of at least 40 vendors who were on a standby list in case there were any no-shows on the reservations list.

The opening ceremonies started at 7:30 a.m. with a presentation of colors by the Calhoun County Sheriff's Honor Guard and the singing of the national anthem, while City Council president Chris Spurlin offered an opening prayer and some thoughts as to what makes Oxford's festival unique.

"The committee started this 37 years ago and they already had a waiting list for vendors back in July," Spurlin said. "It's always a great day for the city. We have people from different states that know this happens on the first Saturday in October. It's the hometown feeling and the fact we've done it so long that really makes this special. No one has to wonder if it's going to be good each year. They already know it's going to be good."

Attempting to get reactions from any of the food vendors about their sales was impossible, but lines to their trucks remained full right up to the end, if that's any indication. Another barometer of crowd size came from Oxford EMS director Tom Dixon who reported the 800 coloring books the agency had brought to give away "were gone before we knew it."

The owner of The Mushroom Preserve said this was her second year at the festival with steady sales.

"Sales have been great," said Jennifer Taylor. "I haven't gotten to sit down much."

Melissa McCormick from Oxford was there for her fourth year to help give out water; she termed the day "pretty great with a lot of people."

"Business has been great," said Tiffany Baker of Perfect Chaos Tees who was at her second festival. "We've definitely gotten more attention."

One teenager from Weaver who had been to the festival before persuaded two of her friends to make their first visit.

"It's great. I love coming here and I come every year," said Leia Mathias, 16.

"This has been real fun and I like it," said first-timer Cameron Dull, 16. "I'll probably come back."

Carlos Nira, 16, who joined Mathias and Dull for the trip, also proclaimed the day "a lot of fun."

"We've been coming since 2018 and it's getting bigger and better," said Terry and Annette Hall from Ohatchee. "There's a lot more vendors this year."

The couple said their favorite parts of the day were the live music which was a constant all day on the Sunny King Ford stage "and the chances to win prizes," one of which they were able to claim and take home.

The owner of Ulti-Mutt Bakery, which recently opened a location in Quintard Mall, said his business was enjoying its fourth Oxfordfest.

"Oxfordfest always turns out great," said Bobby Carson. "As long as the weather holds out, Oxfordfest always produces. We don't miss Oxfordfest for anything," he said.

Editor's note: The Anniston Star was a Gold Sponsor for the 2023 Oxfordfest.

Staff Writer Brian Graves: 256-236-1551.