Good morning, Stillwater! Homecoming is upon us. That’s why you might see a bright orange laser sky beam this weekend. Don’t worry, it’s not a Marvel sky beam. It’s us sending out our bright orange spirit From Stillwater: To the world!

Here is your weekly update for October 16–October 22, 2025.

In this week’s Lokal Life:

• OSU Homecoming Schedule (Walkaround, Laser Show & Parade!) ✴️

• Final performance of the season for Block 34

• Hocus Pocus at McKnight + Theater Workshops for Kids 🎭

• You might notice some sketchy people downtown this Sunday 👩‍🎨 😉

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WHAT’S UP IN STILLWATER

Homecoming Weekend: Thursday - Saturday, Oct 16 - 18

Homecoming is here! 🧡

This year’s theme is “From: Stillwater, To: The World” Here are some of the main highlights of the Homecoming hubbub:

Thursday, Oct 16

✴️ America’s Brightest Orange Laser – OSU Library Lawn | 7:30 PM–Midnight Just look to the skyline to see the bright orange sky beam!

✨ Orange Reflection – OSU Residence Halls | 8 PM–Midnight
Stroll through OSU’s residence hall decorating contest. May the orangiest hall win!

Friday, Oct 17

📝 Homecoming Registration & Check-In – ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center & South Library Lawn | Noon–10 PM
(or online here)

🎸 Joe State Homecoming Tailgate – 507 W. Elm St. (Eskimo Joes) | 3 PM–Midnight. Outdoor concert starts at 6 PM. Free!

🧡 Walkaround™ – Greek Neighborhood Map | 5:30–9 PM
This is one of the big ones! Walk around and see the splendid house decorations of the Greek fraternities and sororities. They’ll have 70(!) local vendors and food there as well so don’t worry so much about the calories. You’ll walk ‘em down!

🎪 McKnight Center Family Fun Zone – McKnight Center Plaza | 5:30–9 PM
Bouncy fun for future Cowboys and Cowgirls with a free concert by the King Cabbage Brass Band.

✴️ America’s Brightest Orange Laser – OSU Library Lawn | 7:30 PM–Midnight
Still shining till midnight!

📣 Homecoming Pep Rally – Student Union Formal Gardens | 8–8:30 PM

✨ Orange Reflection – OSU Residence Halls | 8 PM–Midnight (continuing from Thursday)

Saturday, Oct 18

🥁 Sea of Orange Parade™ – Main Street (9th to Hall of Fame) | 9–11 AM
This is the big homecoming parade event! Nearly 150 floats from Greek houses, Residence halls, OSU student groups and other community members will parade up Main St in what looks to be perfect parade weather. Wear your orange! (watch online)

📝 Homecoming Registration & Check-In – OSU Alumni Center | 2–6:30 PM

🌎 Global Tailgate – SE Corner of Hall of Fame & Washington | 4–6:30 PM
A special tailgate event for international OSU alumni returning for Homecoming.

🤠 Pistol Pete Alumni Roll Call – Student Union North Plaza | 4–5 PM
The Roll Call ceremony recognizes and celebrates all those who have carried on the Pistol Pete tradition.

🏈 OSU vs. Cincinnati – Boone Pickens Stadium | 7 PM
Homecoming finishes off with a home game of our Cowboys against the Bearcats. Go Pokes!

Thursday, Oct 16

Cimarron National Works on Paper Reception 🎨

If you love art or just want a pleasant evening out, swing by the OSU Museum of Art on Thursday. They're hosting the reception for the Cimarron National Works on Paper exhibition, celebrating OSU's printmaking history. Meet guest juror Amanda Lee, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and soak in some culture—all for free!

📅 Thursday, Oct 16 | 5–7 PM (remarks at 5:30)
📍 720 S. Husband St

Act 1: Intro to Theater Workshop 🎭

Do you have kids in 4th to 7th grade interested in theatre? Town & Gown Theatre is hosting a free, hands-on workshop on Thursday, Oct 16 from 6–8 PM.

Attendees will get a full backstage tour and explore everything from acting and directing to lights, sets, and sound— all the inner workings of what it’s like to be in theatre.

📅 Thursday, Oct 16 | 6–8 PM
📍 Town & Gown Theatre, 3524 S Perkins Rd.

As a brief aside, this time of year and these art events got me thinking about the film Dead Poet’s Society, and the difference appreciating the arts makes. And if I may borrow and modify a bit a line from John Keating, the teacher in Dead Poet’s Society, on the importance of the arts:

Friday, Oct 17

Pumpkin Patch Classroom + Stillwonder Pop Up 🎃

Our Noon Lions friends and Stillwonder are hosting a Pumpkin Patch Classroom pop-up at the Stillwater Pumpkin Patch with interactive activities for littles. Some free Fall fun with kids!

📅 Friday, Oct 17 | Noon–5 PM
📍 524 N Stallard St. (Highland Park United Methodist Church lawn)

Ladies Night at The Twelves 🎨🍷

Morgan Satterwhite and Meagan Courtney are hosting a Ladies Night at their barn at The Twelves. They’ll have wine tasting and a fancy catered dinner by Down the Road Catering. Tickets start at $35, with more neat upgrades for those who want to attend a guided sunflower painting class.

📅 Friday, Oct 17 | 6 PM
📍 The Twelves, 121 W 68th St
💳 From $35 get tickets

Saturday, Oct 18

Final Block 34 Live Event of the Season 🎸

Well done Block 34! They’re rounding out their first season of public performances with one last, more singer-songwriter folk music themed performance. This Saturday at 2 PM is Songwriter on the Block, featuring John Fullbright and Jacob Tovar. It's free as always. This is the last one before the weather gets cold!

📅 Saturday, Oct 18 | 2 - 5 PM
📍 Block 34, 218 W 9th Ave

Sunday, Oct 19

Stillwater Sketchers Meetup to Draw Downtown ✏️

Have you ever felt the draw to draw? There’s plenty of material to draw downtown! Valerie Bloodgood of Modella Art Gallery is organizing the first Stillwater Sketchers meetup this Sunday at Modella Art Gallery. It starts at 2 PM, then sketchers will disperse downtown for two hours to do their sketches. Regroup at the gallery at 4 PM to share your work and look at other’s.

📅 Sunday, Oct 19 | 2–4 PM
📍 Modella Art Gallery, 721 N Main St

Wednesday, Oct 22

Fall Mobile Market Block Party! 🍂 🎉

Before the movie starts (see below), Our Daily Bread is throwing a Fall Block Party. It will have a kids bounce house, art activities, music, hot dogs, raffle prices. And it’s free!

📅 Wednesday, Oct 22 | 4:30–6:30 PM
📍 701 E 12th Ave

“It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus” 🎥 🎃

If you’ve thought, “Hey, wouldn’t it be nice if there were a family-friendly film to see on the big screen?” the McKnight Center has got your back. They will be showing Hocus Pocus. It's PG-rated and perfect for the spooky family fun!. Tickets are just $5 while available but don’t wait too long. “Otherwise they will cease to exist! Dost thou comprehend?!”

📅 Wednesday, Oct 22 | 7 PM
📍 McKnight Center Performance Hall

Warm Up for Winter Coat Drive 🧥🧤

Get the warm and fuzzies by donating your used ones! Birthright of Stillwater is collecting gently used and new coats for local kids especially school-age and young adult sizes. Hats, gloves, and hoodies also welcome.

📍 Drop off at 1002 N Duck St (just north of McElroy)
🕙 Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri: 10–2 | Wed: 2–5
📦 After-hours drop offs can be left at back door. Text (405) 332-1555
💵 You can also donate via CashApp: $BirthrightStillwater (please include WUFW in Note)

The giveaway day is Sat, Oct. 25, 11 AM–2 PM at Stillwater Medical Center.

LOCAL BUSINESS

🚗 Tommy’s Tunnel of Terror Coming Soon

As if those tunnel car washes weren’t already terrifying enough! Tommy’s Express Car Wash will host its annual Tunnel of Terror, a haunted car wash experience that’s spooky on the outside but squeaky clean on the inside 👍.

It’s on next weekend, Oct. 24–25 from 7–9:30 PM. Prepare for jump scares, flashing lights, and a shiny clean ride. It’s $25 per car or free if already an unlimited club member.

💔 Good Little Eater Closing Oct. 31

After 12 years, Good Little Eater will close at the end of the month. Owner Sarah Ramsay shared that her husband Chris has been battling cancer, and it’s time to step away and be home with him. We wish the Ramsay family all the best!

Their last day is Thursday, October 31. You can stop by Tuesday - Friday, 11 AM till 2:30 PM for delicious lunches and brunches. They’re on the corner of 10th and Main St, just west of Dennis the Jeweler.

📚 GypsySnark Fall Book Sale / 20th Anniversary

I love this store! If you missed the library’s sale, or just need some solid reading material, get ready for GypsySnark’s big fall book sale this weekend on Oct. 18–19 (or the following weekend if the weather is bad).

On Saturday, books are just 25¢ each or 6 for $1.
On Sunday, fill a whole bag for $1, plus free book pickup at 2:30 PM.
📍 1110 S Main St.

CIVIC NEWS

Stillwater has a New Fire Chief at the Helm 🚒

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC

Thursday 10/16
IRON MONK | Carly Nash | 7–9 PM | Free
McKnight Center | University Singers & Chamber Choir | 7:30 PM | Free
Stonecloud | Cassy Kendrick and BLUTIC | 5, 7 PM | Free

Saturday 10/18
The Botanic Garden | The Hunt Brothers Band | 3:45 to 5:30 PM | Free
Block 34 | John Fullbright and Jacob Tovar | 2 - 5 PM | Free

SPORTS

Upcoming home games & matches ⚾ ⚽ 🏈

Stillwater Pioneers vs Choctaw Yellowjackets 🏈
10/16 @ Stillwater High School | 7 PM

Cowgirl Soccer vs. UCF ⚽
10/17 @ Neal Patterson Stadium | TBA

Cowboy Cross Country & Track vs. Weis-Crockett Invitational 🏃🏻‍♂️‍➡️
10/17 @ Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course | 2 PM | Free

Cowboys vs Cincinnati Bearcats (Homecoming game) 🟠 🏈
10/18 @ Boone Pickens Stadium | 7 PM

Cowgirl Softball vs. Garden City CC ⚾
10/22 @ Cowgirl Stadium | 6:30 PM | Free

RANDOM ᝰ.ᐟ

🪵 Have you heard about Superwood? It’s wood that’s been treated such that it’s 10x stronger than steel and six times lighter. It looks like ordinary wood but could one day build entire earthquake-resistant buildings! See how it works.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Stillwater Lokal Life today. If you found something good, share it with someone who moved here from New Jersey.

P.S. We still have a bunch of discount cards, but I learned something went wrong with my store. I’m working on fixing it. Might do a giveaway soon! In the meantime, email me if you want one.

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