Scare Bear — a Grizzly-inspired scarecrow — was created and designed by Debra Lashbrook, art director for OU’s Communications and Marketing.

Scare Bear — a Grizzly-inspired scarecrow — is hanging around downtown Rochester to help bring the autumn feeling to the community. Scare Bear joins more than 40 other custom scarecrows, built and sponsored by Rochester merchants, and on display throughout the downtown Rochester area until Nov. 2. Scare Bear is on the corner of Third Street and Main Street.

The scarecrows help kick off the fall celebration, which culminates with the first annual Rochester Pumpkin Festival Saturday, Oct. 28, featuring the largest display of lit pumpkins in Michigan. Oakland University will display ten pumpkins during the festival.

“Oakland is a proud partner of the City of Rochester, and we are pleased to take part in the fun activities in downtown Rochester,” said Mary Beth Snyder, vice president for Student Affairs. “I encourage students, faculty and staff to come down to enjoy a fun day in this great community.”

Scare Bear was created and designed by Debra Lashbrook, art director for OU’s Communications and Marketing.

The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is partnering with the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to sponsor the Pumpkin Festival, which was previously the farm’s annual Stone Wall Pumpkin Festival.

All events will take place at Walnut and Third Street in downtown Rochester, unless otherwise noted. Attendees can bring a carved pumpkin to the Pumpkin Festival to add to the display, or buy one for $5 and carve it at one of the pumpkin carving stations.

Rochester Pumpkin Festival Event Schedule

• 10 a.m. – Noon — Friendly Monster Event for young children (Rochester Municipal Park, hosted by the Rochester Area Jaycees)
• Noon – 6 p.m. — Soup-Off ($8 admission includes commemorative mug)
• Noon – 2 p.m. — Downtown Trick-or-Treat (Downtown merchants and Farmer’s Market, corner of Third and Water streets)
• 2 – 3 p.m. — Barnyard Express Show
• 2 – 6 p.m. — RARA Children’s Midway
• 3 – 4 p.m. — Barnyard Express Show
• 3 – 5 p.m. — Pumpkin Bowling
• 4 p.m. — Pumpkin Pie Eating Contests
• 6 – 7 p.m. — Music by Guy Louis and the Chautauqua Express (family music)
• 7 p.m. — Announce Scarecrow Contest and Soup-Off Winners
• 7 – 9 p.m. — Pumpkin Lighting
• 7:30 – 9 p.m. — Carl Cafanga and SoundLove (swing music)

For more information, visit the Downtown Rochester Web site or call (248) 656-0060. All activities are free unless otherwise noted.