Mayfair prepares for second year on Campus Corner

Kyle Phillips, The Norman Transcript, Okla.
·2 min read

May 15—The Assistance League of Norman and Campus Corner Association are bringing the Mayfair to Norman this weekend.

The festival was a Norman staple for more than 45 years and called Andrews Park home before the Campus Corner Association teamed up with the Assistance League to move the festival to Campus Corner in 2023. It is one of Norman's longest and most enduring events.

Rebecca Gillum, May Fair chairperson, said since the move attendance and interest in the festival has continued to grow.

"We've more than doubled our vendors from last year," Gillum said. "We have 55 vendors with 26 on the waitlist, and we will also have lots of great entertainment."

The event will also include exhibits from local artists and crafters, a children's art contest, a student art show, food vendors, free continuous entertainment and quality handmade crafts.

Gillum said that any money raised through T-shirts sales and other items will benefit the Assistance League of Norman and its Operation School Bell program

The Assistance League of Norman's Operation School Bell program provides new clothing such as jeans, tops, underwear and coats in a retail-like environment to students from Norman and Little Axe school districts in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Campus Corner Association Executive Director Carrie Hendrick said some people might notice some changes to the festival this year to help people stay more comfortable and hopefully spend more time at the festival.

"There were some things that we have upgraded," Hendrick said. "We've put a cover on the stage this year, and we will have some chairs set up so people will be able to sit and watch the entertainment. Little things like that that we noticed have been upgraded."

Hendrick said the support the organizations have received from the community has helped the festival grow and make those upgrades.

"When we decided to try it again last year we set a goal and we didn't quite reach that, but the response we had was very good," Hendrick said. "So even though we did hit our goal last year, we exceeded our goal this year. So that tells me that there is interest on not only the artist and vendor side, but also the community side."

And Hendrick said it is that interest and support that led the festival to change and grow in the future so they can offer more space for the vendors.

"Next year we are looking at closing more streets and enlarging the space," Hendrick said. "We have more than doubled in growth and have outgrown the street. And that could not happen with our the community support."

The two-day festival will be at Campus Corner from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Buchanan Avenue will closed to vehicle traffic and Campus Corner parking meters will be free to use during the festival.