With the sun shining on Saturday, the Double Decker Arts Festival drew big crowds from start to finish.

Even a few brief showers late Friday afternoon didn’t keep folks away from the kickoff concert, which began around 5 p.m. with performances by Band of Heathens, Ole 60, The Great Dying, and headliner Charlie Crockett.

Early Saturday morning, more than 2,400 visitors and local residents took part in the Double Decker Spring 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run.

About 1,800 people registered for the 5K, with nearly 1,600 finishing the race. By comparison, in 2024, there were 1,547 registrants, with 1,367 finishing.

The overall winning time for the 5K was 18:43, achieved by 30-year-old Frank Holiman of Carrollton.
The top women’s time, 21:31, was posted by Brenna Smith, 33, of Oxford, who placed ninth overall.

Approximately 671 people registered for the 10K, with 617 finishing the race. In 2024, 566 had registered, and 527 finished.

The fastest overall 10K time came from Drew Roberts, 23, of Mobile, Alabama.

Kelsey Ray, 31, of Clinton, was the top female finisher and placed 15th overall with a time of 41:36.

The festival resumed on Saturday at 10 a.m. with the annual Best Dressed Pet Contest at 10:30 a.m. Music started around 11 a.m., with Cedric Burnside opening the day. Performances by Seratones, Water Liars, Cimafunk, The Record Company, and Houndmouth continued until headliner Grace Potter took the stage around 8:30 p.m.

Potter was introduced by Ole Miss Rebels football coach Lane Kiffin. Together, they led the audience in the Rebels’ cheer, “Are you ready?” before Potter began her set.

The festival is organized annually by Visit Oxford, the city’s tourism department.

Visit Oxford representatives said they expect to have attendance estimates sometime this week.

Despite the large crowds, Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen said the weekend was successful in many ways, including the public’s positive response to new safety policies such as the clear-bag rule and a ban on coolers.

“We had large crowds, beautiful weather, and a great entertainment atmosphere,” McCutchen said. “We did not have any issues with our crowds. Everyone did a great job adjusting to the safety measures. I believe we made one arrest over the two-day festival.”

Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill called Double Decker “perfect” on her Facebook page, thanking the Visit Oxford team led by festival director Lee Ann Stubbs, along with the police, fire, Building and Grounds, Environmental Services, and Emergency Management departments.

“I always get a little teary looking at the crowds, the people enjoying their friends and family, and the amazing entertainment,” she wrote. “Double Decker reminds us all why we are so blessed to call Oxford home.”