By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – With cooler weather and a festive atmosphere, it’s no wonder Art Walk coordinator Tiffany Bunt says she looks forward to the fall Art Walk, also known as “Art Stalk,” every year. But she isn’t the only one.

With 67 artists signed up so far, Bunt said the fall Art Walk, scheduled for Oct. 26 from 3-7 p.m., is already slated to be the biggest art walk yet, and the number could still rise. The deadline to sign up for booths is Oct. 18.

As with all Art Walks, artists and local vendors will set up booths along Main Street to sell and showcase items ranging from painting and photography to sculpture, printmaking and other crafts.

What makes the fall Art Walk special is the atmosphere, Bunt said. Contributing to this year’s atmosphere is the Birmingham Ballet, who will perform “Thriller” in the middle of Main Street at 5:30 p.m.

“It’s really exciting because we have a costume contest, and we encourage not only attendees to dress up but also artists to dress up,” she said. “We encourage original costumes to get people to show their creativity.”

The costume contest is free and open to all ages, and prizes will be given in two categories, one for adults and one for kids. Adult costume contest winners will receive $50-$100 gift certificates to be used at an artist’s booth at Art Walk, while kids’ prizes will include four tickets to the McWane Science Center, a gift certificate to Falcon Art Supply and T-shirts and other prizes.

Those interested in participating in the contest should have their pictures made at the main Art Walk tent on the corner of Main Street and Boundary Street between 3 and 6 p.m. Winners will be announced shortly after 6 p.m.

Following Art Walk, the staff of the University of Montevallo’s student newspaper The Alabamian will host a campus ghost walk, or a walking tour of the different on-campus buildings that are said to be haunted. Anyone interested in participating in the ghost walk can sign up at booth by the main tent.

Booths are $12 for students and $25 for non-students. To sign up, visit Montevalloartwalk.com.