One of Norman’s oldest traditions is fast approaching: May Fair.
The annual event has grown from a county fair to a multi-day arts festival with a raffle, rides, a 5K race and, for the first time this year, a talent show.
The 43-year-old fair began in large part to give local artists and crafters a place to show their work long before Norman had an arts council or an art-focused downtown. Since then, the fair has extended to other community needs.
“It is not a fundraiser, it is Assistance League giving back to the community,” said Laura Cooper, one of the co-coordinators of Assisters, one of the program’s Assistance League provides.
Cooper said they have a variety of free events for adults and children.
One of these free events is the Art Yard where children do hands-on art projects and activities.
“We partner with Firehouse Art Center to provide that,” said Cooper.
A section called “Adventures in Art” provides hands-on art projects for teens and adults.
The May Fair will also host a student art show, and different fine arts and artisan handicrafts on display and for sale.
While the arts are the obvious focus of the fair, Assistance League also hosts pony rides, a giant sand pit for children, on-site pet adoptions, a plant and herb sale and various food trucks and vendors.
They will also be holding a talent show called “Norman’s Got Talent.”
The talent show has a $25 entry fee and the competition is split into two age groups of eight to 18- year olds and those 18 and older.
Winners will receive cash prizes.
The 5K race is the only main aspect of the fair that is not free, according to the race’s chair Stephanie Clinton. Those taking part in the race will receive a t-shirt and a build-your-own trail mix bar. The race is also a chip timed event.
Groups of five or more who sign up for the race before April 15 will pay $20 each individual racers pay a $30 if the pre-register and $35 if they register the day of the race.
The rest of the funds from the race will go to help fund Operation School Bell.
Assistance League serves the community through multiple projects, but their largest and most involved is Operation School Bell®.
Each year the Assistance League clothes a certain number of children from each of the Norman schools. Cooper said for many of these students, the clothing they receive through Operation School Bell is the only clothing they receive during the year.
“They know where to go, they got the place memorized,” Cooper said.
Assistance League also provides assault survivor kits in partnership with the local crisis center. This includes snacks, basic toiletries and clothes. Often the clothing worn by an assault survivor is taken as evidence, so Assistance Leauge provides them with something to go home in, according to Cooper.
Assistance League also provides bears to the Mary Abbott House and local police departments for children going through traumatic experience, where it is being removed from their home due to domestic violence or a major traffic accident.
“We also have a teenage program called Assisteens®, and that is basically our program where we are trying to develop students to be future philanthropists,” Cooper said.
Usually about 100 students are involved in that program.
Assistance League partners with Full Circle Adult Care.
“Once a month we do bingo for them,” said Clinton.
The majority of the Assistance League’s funding comes from their annual gala that takes place during the winter holiday season.
“We are solely supported by donations. We get a few grants, but [donation] is mainly where our funding comes from,” said Cooper.
Assistance league is also entirely run by volunteers, with the exception of a part-time employee who helps with the organization’s financials.
