By the time the weekend rolls around, the storefronts of Middletown area businesses should be taking on a distinctly purple feel to them. Purple Palooza, a spirited week of celebrating Middie Pride, Halloween and high school football, is under way.

Originally scheduled for Oct. 22-26, event organizer Mark Kerns says the fourth annual event has been delayed while Middletown High School students are taking the Ohio Graduation Test.

“The high school plans on doing its Purple Palooza theme days next week, because of the OGTs,” Kerns said. He said the school planned jersey days, Halloween themed days and a Purple Spirit Dayfor next week.

Chris Stumpf, of Doulos Threads, a screen printing company at 2801 N. Verity Parkway, was busy Monday delivering nearly 400 pre-ordered Purple Palooza shirts to Middletown-area elementary schools.

As many as 50 Middletown students turned in T-shirt designs to be turned into a T-shirt.

“This is the fourth year that we’ve been a part of this, and it’s always neat to see the designs that the students give us,” Stumpf said while making a delivery to Creekview Elementary. “They did a nice job.”

Middletown City Council presented the district with a proclamation that declared Oct. 22-26 as Purple Palooza Week during its Oct. 16 meeting.

Kerns got the idea for Purple Palooza after reading a Sports Illustrated magazine article about how Northwestern University celebrated in similar fashion.

“They had a contest to see who could show the most Wildcats spirit, and the winner would then get to be painted purple from head to toe,” Kerns said. “I thought ‘Heck, we could do that in Middletown.’ It’s started as a celebration in the high school, and now it’s slowly spread to all parts of the city. It’s a way to show your Middie spirit and to enjoy the fall season.”

Purple Palooza is like a second homecoming for the whole city to enjoy, Stumpf said.

“Its a good way of having a big purple party, of hanging out with friends from school, meeting the current students and athletes and fans, and enjoying the football season. It keeps getting bigger every year,” Stumpf said.