Superheroes coming to Camas this Friday

Decorated pumpkins and superhero costumes will fill downtown Camas on Friday for the October First Friday celebrations.

Festivities, which begin at 5 p.m. Oct. 4, and run through 8 p.m., will include pumpkin voting, art shows, crafts and activities for children, a photo booth, giveaways, treats, fall shopping and dining, and a superhero costume contest with prizes.

This year marks the 14th 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 decorated pumpkin. Participants who vote in the pageant will be entered in a drawing to win fall-themed prizes from the merchants. The People’s Choice winner also receives a prize basket.

The superhero costume contest will include prizes for best costume winners for adults and children, and a prize for “best group costume” provided by iQ Credit Union. The contest begins at 7 p.m. at Journey Church, 304 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas. People can sign up for the contest at Journey between 5 and 6:45 p.m. Friday. Original superhero costumes are encouraged. Journey also will host crafts for children during the First Friday festivities.

There are several art shows and artist receptions planned for the First Friday event on Oct. 4. Attic Gallery will feature artist Earl Hamilton’s abstract paintings and a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Camas Gallery will feature the remastered bronze sculptures of The Foundry Michelangelo, including iconic sculptures by Lorenzo Ghiglieri, Laran Ghiglieri and Frederic Remington. Camas Gallery will unveil the gallery’s recent makeover and host live music, refreshments and an artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. At the Second Story Gallery, located above the Camas Public Library, there also will be live music, refreshments and an artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday to celebrate the gallery’s two-month show featuring the acrylic paintings of Ami Brimhall and the ceramics of Linda Kliewer, which runs through the end of November.

Three ribbon-cuttings for new businesses are planned for Friday evening, including a ribbon-cutting at 5 p.m. for Cedar Street Bagel Company at 316 N.E. Cedar St.; a 5:15 p.m. ribbon-cutting for Core Industries at 326 N.E. Cedar St.; and a 5:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting for Electrical Panel Co-work Space at 317 N.E. Cedar St.

Body Bliss Yoga will host a fundraising event during the First Friday celebration with nonprofit Capes and Crowns to benefit children battling serious illnesses, living with special needs or who have been through a traumatic life situation. The fundraiser will offer a free photo booth for children and will sell superhero art prints by a local comic artist.

“The costume contests are some of our favorite First Friday activities,” said 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.”

For more information, visit downtowncamas.com/event/october-first-friday-pumpkin-pageant-costume-contest or facebook.com/camasfirstfriday.