With this year’s Seymour Celebration now in the rear view mirror, one might be tempted to think that carnival season is over in Oxford.

But, if Christian Mills, owner of Legacy 925, has his way there will be two more weekends of carnival rides and games this fall.

He wants to host a fall-themed carnival on Sept. 26-29 and again on Oct. 3-6 in the eastern portion of the parking lot on the south side of his building.

Mills said his goal is to create “a tradition” that today’s kids can look back on with fond memories years from now.

He recalled that when he was growing up in Lake Orion, the community used to have the Donut Festival in the fall and he enjoyed it.

Rather than traveling to cider mills and apple orchards outside of Oxford for their fall fun, Mills wants folks to stay in town and be able to enjoy hay rides, corn mazes, sweet treats and other “fun things for the family.”

To have this carnival, he must receive special land use approval from the township planning commission. This process requires a site plan be submitted and a public hearing conducted.

On June 20, Mills submitted a zoning compliance application for the proposed carnival, but it was denied by the township planner, who directed him to the planning commission based on the zoning ordinance.

Mills told this reporter he intends to apply for the special land use, but “if it takes too long for approval, nothing will happen” this year.

When asked if he’s concerned about potential opposition from neighbors in the nearby Stony Lake Village condominiums affecting the chances of his carnival getting approved, Mills replied, “My hope is that a small group of people (doesn’t) dictate policy for the entire township.”

Some Stony Lake Village condo residents have previously expressed concerns about the noise generated by patrons and businesses at Mills’ 208,000-square-foot building. Most recently, they voiced their opposition to allowing televisions and music on the outdoor patio for Legacy’s bar and restaurant as sound easily travels across the lake that separates them from the business.

Township officials gave Mills temporary permission to utilize his patio until Sept. 30, but he’s prohibited from having any televisions or music outside and the outdoor area cannot be open past 11 p.m.

Mills pointed out other communities have carnivals in areas near housing or in downtowns where they take up parking spaces.

“There’s always someone that it might impact for a short period of time, but most people make it work,” Mills said.

Living on Lake Orion, Mills said he can hear fairs, fireworks, boats and music.

“It’s just part of life,” he said.