A new twist is coming to a beloved Okmulgee festival this year- the living dead. Two Okmulgee events are combining to bring twice the fun. The 2018 Harvest Spoon Chili Festival, hosted by Okmulgee Main Street and sponsored by Dean West Construction, will be combined with the Zombie Run, sponsored by the Okmulgee Runners, on Saturday, October 13.

“One of the new elements is the zombie run,” Okmulgee Main Street Executive Director Heather Sumner said. “So, last year was their first year to do the Zombie Run. They did it a little bit different. They had zombies that were actually chasing the runners. So, this year they’re actually encouraging runners to dress up as zombies.”

Registration for the Zombie Run opens up along with the Harvest Spoon Chili Festival at 10 a.m. in downtown Okmulgee. Runners have until 10:45 a.m. to register before the race officially begins at 11 a.m. at the Orpheum Theatre, located at 210 W. 7th Street. For only an entry fee of $15, runners compete for Top Male, Top Female and Best Costume/Makeup.

Sumner is excited to see all the runners decked out in their zombie attire after the race, encouraging runners to stay in their garb the entirety of the festival.

“Then all throughout the day we’ll have zombies walking around the festival, which I’m really excited about,” Sumner said.

Though the Harvest Spoon Chili Festival is adding on a new twist, the chili is still the main attraction. Chili connoisseurs and amateurs test their skills at winning best chili in three categories: Individuals, Family or Business and Non-Profit or Organization. The winners in each category will be awarded a trophy and a cash prize of $250. They will also be competing for votes cast by the chili taste testers for the People’s Choice Awards. Winner of the People’s Choice Award not only win a cash prize of $500 but also get the honor of receiving the traveling Big Ole Silver Spoon award. Participants can also choose to enter their table into the ‘Best Decorated Table’ competition on the chili cook-off registration form.

Deadline to register to compete in the chili cook-off is Monday, Oct. 8. The registration fee to enter into one of the three categories is only $50 and includes one eight-foot table and electric. Participants are asked to prepare enough chili for the taste tester samples, providing at least two to three crockpots or one large roaster.

The Harvest Spoon Chili Festival is also bringing back some other old favorites, including live music performed by Barrett Lewis from 1-3 p.m., the live dessert auction, food truck and a market place for vendors.

The 48-Hour Film Festival will end the night with entertaining short films from local creatives from 4-6 p.m. in the Orpheum Theatre.

For more information on the Harvest Spoon Chili Festival, contact Okmulgee Main Street at 918-758-1015 or its website okmulgeemainstreet.com .

See below for a map of events for the chili festival.