Newcastle CommUNITY Festival Expands on Local Tradition and Marks the Start of Something Bigger

Newcastle is inviting businesses, churches, nonprofits, school groups, and civic organizations to help build the city’s newest tradition at the CommUNITY Festival on Saturday, September 13 at Veterans Park.

The free, family-focused event will run from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, followed by a Movie in the Park at 6:30. It is the first large-scale festival jointly hosted by Newcastle Parks and Recreation and the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, and organizers hope to establish it as a signature citywide tradition.

Groups are encouraged to host a booth and become part of the experience. Booths can be interactive, informative, or simply a presence. What matters most is being there and engaging with the community. The deadline to sign up is Saturday, September 7.

“This city is growing, and so is the spirit that brings people together here,” said Kyle Marks, Parks and Recreation Director. “This festival is all about capturing that energy and giving people a reason to show up, meet each other, and feel proud of where they live. If you're part of Newcastle, we want you involved.”

Why Host a Booth?

Hosting a booth is a low-cost, high-visibility way to engage with the public and contribute to a meaningful city event. It is open to a wide range of local groups, and booths may include games, handouts, giveaways, or information about services and programs. Interactivity is encouraged but not required.

“From a business perspective, events like this are an excellent platform for visibility, relationship-building, and community goodwill,” said Gayla Riddle, CEO of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce. “The CommUNITY Festival reflects the kind of collaboration we’ve always supported through the Chamber. It is a natural evolution of the efforts we’ve seen in past events like Meet the CommUNITY, and we’re proud to be part of expanding it.”

Festival Info at a Glance

Event:
Newcastle CommUNITY Festival
Saturday, September 13
2:00 to 6:00 PM
Veterans Park, 705 NW 10th St, Newcastle, OK
Movie in the Park begins at 6:30 PM

Booth Sign-Up:

Register by Saturday, September 7
Sign-up form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfNewcastle1/_2025NewcastleCommunityFestivalSignupForm

Who Can Host a Booth:

• Local businesses
• Churches
• School groups and teams
• Nonprofits
• Civic organizations
• City departments

Booth Fees:

• Free for current Chamber of Commerce members
• $15 for non-members
• Groups may join the Chamber before the event to waive the booth fee

What Is Provided:

• 10' x 20' booth space
• Assigned booth location

What You Need to Bring:

• Tent (optional but encouraged)
• Tables, chairs, signage, handouts
• Games or interactive elements (optional)
• No electricity available on site
• No food sales without prior approval

Booth Schedule:

• Set-up begins at 12:30 PM
• Booths must be ready by 1:45 PM
• Tear-down begins after 6:00 PM

Contact:

Kyle Marks
kmarks@newcastleok.gov | (405) 387-4506
Gayla Riddle
chamber@newcastleok.org | (405) 387-3232