Stars Hollow Fall Celebration draws thousands to downtown Guthrie

The second annual Stars Hollow Fall Celebration brought thousands of visitors to downtown Guthrie on Saturday, Sept. 19, turning the historic downtown into a real-life version of the fictional Stars Hollow from the popular television series “Gilmore Girls.”

Hosted by A Novel Idea Bookshop, the event saw significant growth in its second year, expanding from six participating businesses during its inaugural celebration to more than 20 local businesses this year.

Businesses throughout downtown took on Stars Hollow-inspired identities and offered themed experiences as visitors made their way through the community.

Organizers said attendees traveled to Guthrie from across Oklahoma, including Tuttle, Enid, Stillwater, Edmond, Fairview, Sapulpa and Woodward. Visitors also made the trip from Arkansas.

The large turnout provided an unexpected boost to downtown businesses while introducing many visitors to Guthrie and its locally owned shops.

Chelsea Richardson, owner of A Novel Idea Bookshop, said the response exceeded expectations.

“Saturday was one of those days I don’t think I’ll ever forget,” Richardson said in a release. “Seeing thousands of people filling the sidewalks of downtown Guthrie, laughing, shopping, taking pictures, making memories, and supporting our small businesses was incredibly emotional.”

Richardson said an event that began as a fun idea inspired by a favorite television show has grown into something much larger.

“What started as a fun idea inspired by a show we love became this beautiful reminder of what can happen when people show up for a community,” Richardson said. “I’m so proud of our little town, so grateful to everyone who believed in this event, and still a little overwhelmed by how much love people poured into Guthrie that day.”

Guthrie Mayor Adam Ropp praised the event’s rapid growth and the collaboration among downtown businesses, performers and volunteers.

“What Chelsea and A Novel Idea Bookshop have built with the Stars Hollow Fall Celebration is remarkable,” Ropp said in the same release. “In only its second year, it has already become one of Guthrie’s most highly attended events.”

Ropp said the celebration also provided an opportunity to showcase Guthrie to visitors who may have been experiencing the community for the first time.

“Seeing our businesses, performers and volunteers embrace the festival and bring Stars Hollow to life throughout downtown shows the creativity and community spirit of the people who make Guthrie what it is,” Ropp said. “Thousands may have come to experience Stars Hollow, but while they were here, they also had the opportunity to discover Guthrie.”

With participation growing from six businesses to more than 20 in just one year and thousands filling downtown streets and sidewalks, the Stars Hollow Fall Celebration has quickly developed into a major fall attraction for downtown Guthrie.