By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
Unless the forecast changes by Saturday morning, visitors to Piedmont Founder’s Day Festival will face a steaming hot day.
The high is expected to reach 98 degrees and as of Wednesday UV warnings have become the norm for Oklahomans all across the state for weeks.
Safety experts advise people to wear loose-fitting clothing, drink plenty of water throughout the day and get out of the heat regularly to prevent sun related illnesses.
However, the festival will start in the cool portion of the day with the Mugwamps 5k race at 7 a.m. at 1803 Piedmont Road North. The parade will commence at 10 a.m. followed by live entertainment, games for children, and vendor booths until 4 p.m.
Opportunities to cool off in air controlled buildings include First Baptist Church, the Old Store and businesses along Monroe that will be open during the festival hours.
Some features of the festival have changed including the parade route. The parade will travel down Madison Avenue instead of Monroe to allow for more food trucks on Monroe.
A GPS digital parking map for smartphones will include parking lots that are designated as free, for donation, for a set fee and which spaces are available for handicapped access. All handicapped parking spaces are free.
A new feature to the entertainment and games is a booth that will raise money for a local family who face medical bills for their special needs daughter.
The Oklahoma 501st Garrison will donate proceeds to the Blagg family. The garrison is a costuming charitable organization. Those who stop by their booth can shoot at a Star Wars Storm Trooper with a Nerf gun for a donation.
Also new this year is the talent show will be held under a tent instead of inside First Baptist Church. A lost and found child booth will also be set up in the tent.
