Leadership Stillwater Class 34 hosted the first annual Stillwater Harvest Festival on Saturday to raise money for Life Center Adult Day Services, bringing together live music, food vendors and community activities on Block 34.

The evening event featured a cornhole tournament, 50-50 raffles and performances by area bands, with all proceeds benefiting the nonprofit that provides daytime care for adults with disabilities and elderly residents needing supervision while family members work.

"This nonprofit means the absolute world to us, and we're so excited to bring awareness to them," said Erica Davis, a member of Class 34.

Leadership Stillwater Class 34 members speak about Life Center Adult Day Services during the Stillwater Harvest Festival on Block 34 on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. From left: Colton Jones, the Class 34 liaison to Life Center, Erica Davis and Maribeth Outhier, executive director of Life Center, discuss the nonprofit's mission. Class 34 members, James Boggs, Katie Brown, Hanna Kimberling with the assist of Paul Benjaman, frontman of the Paul Benjaman Band draw winners in the raffle contest. – Photos by Chris Peters

Leadership Stillwater is a program run through the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce that prepares emerging community leaders through a multi-month curriculum. The 25 members of Class 34 selected Life Center as their service project from three nonprofit finalists.

"When we took our first vote for the three different nonprofits we could pick from, it was 7, 7, 7 and four didn't vote. It was a dead tie," said James Bogg, a Class 34 member who served as emcee. "So we worked through the process together as a team, and I don't think we couldn't have picked anybody better."

Pistol Pete greets festival-goers at the Stillwater Harvest Festival entrance, left, while emcees Starla Holcomb and James Bogg, both Leadership Stillwater Class 34 members, address the crowd during the fundraising event. Class member Page Provence watches the events on stage at Block 34 with Pistol Pete. – Photos by Chris Peters

Colton Jones, the Class 34 liaison to Life Center, said the event exceeded expectations.

"This is such a big deal for us. We are so excited to put this together. I think it's bigger than any of us could have imagined," Jones said from the festival stage.

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Providing purpose and care

Life Center Adult Day Services serves 15 to 20 participants daily at its location in the First Christian Church Education Building at 411 West Matthews, though the facility can accommodate up to 40 people per day.

"We are an adult day program, and we serve individuals Monday through Friday during business hours so that their families can work, but so also that they can engage in their own lives, and we provide them some purpose," said Maribeth Outhier, executive director of Life Center.

The center provides personal care and customized activities based on each participant's history, current abilities and goals, Outhier said. The program works with certified nursing assistants and a nurse to deliver medical care alongside social activities.

Miniature horses BB and Buddy from Turning Point Ranch greet young visitors at the Stillwater Harvest Festival. The therapy animals were featured as a nod to Li'l Sebastian, the beloved miniature horse from NBC's "Parks and Recreation," which inspired Class 34's festival theme. The petting zoo was one of several family-friendly activities at the fundraiser for Life Center Adult Day Services. – Photos by Chris Peters

"When somebody comes to our center, we get to know who they are, and not just who they are today, but who they were before their disability happened, and what their goals are, and then we cater our services to help them meet those goals," Outhier said.

Life Center accepts insurance through the Advantage Waiver and DDS Waiver programs and contracts with state aging services. The center also offers scholarships for participants who cannot afford the full cost of services.

"If somebody is not able to pay for our services, then we will still take care of it," Outhier said.

The fundraising effort will help Life Center address critical operational needs, including improved transportation that would expand access to services for participants who live outside city limits or lack affordable transportation options.

Founded in 1983, Life Center focuses on providing purpose and community for participants who may have worked their entire lives before disability or aging limited their independence.

Young brothers dominate tournament

The festival's cornhole tournament drew competitors of all ages, with an unexpected outcome when two young brothers dominated the bracket.

Kole Melvin, 12, and Kamden Melvin, 16, competing as "The Beanie Boys," defeating multiple adult teams to claim the championship.

"The Beanie Boys" dominated the Harvest Festival cornhole tournament on Block 34. Brothers Kole Melvin, 12, and Kamden Melvin, 16, went undefeated against adult competitors to win the championship. In the final round, Kamden perfectly threw all four bean bags to score four points, and eventually winning the match 21-12. – Photo by Chris Peters

"Since I can remember, honestly," Kamden said when asked how long he has been playing cornhole.

His younger brother Kole said he has been playing for about 10 years.

The brothers won a $50 gift card from Stilly's Nutrition Fix and a trophy for their undefeated performance.

The Paul Benjaman Band from Tulsa provided musical entertainment throughout the evening. OK Live Productions handled sound for the event, and Prairie Arts offered face painting for children. Members of the Stillwater Fire Department also attended the festival.

Progress toward $50,000 goal

Class 34 has set a fundraising goal of $50,000 for Life Center Adult Day Services, matching a record established by a previous Leadership Stillwater class. As of Monday, the class had raised $21,142 through the festival and online donations.

The class will host a second fundraiser, Breakfast with Santa, on Dec. 6 at 8 a.m. at Elks Lodge No. 1859, 202 East McElroy Road. All proceeds from that event will also benefit Life Center.

Class 34 members expressed gratitude to the community for supporting the inaugural event.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Jones said. "This is such a big deal for us."

Donations to Class 34's fundraising campaign can be made at givebutter.com/c/leadership34

📷 See more photos from the festival

The Stillwegian Lightbox | Stillwater Harvest Festival
Gallery: Stillwater Harvest Festival on The Stillwegian Lightbox
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