Norman Rockwell could have made a painting of the weather in Vicksburg this past week. The sky has been a deep, rich blue, with mild temperatures and pleasant breezes.

For people who deal with such miserable summers, when it gets Rockwell-esque, there is nothing finer.

Friends who live in San Diego do not appreciate fantastic weather. Every day is a postcard for them. They have no clue what 113 days — roughly 31 percent of the entire year — of over 90 degrees feels like, yet according to the website Weather Underground, that is what we have been strapped with since the beginning of this year.

Temperatures now are creeping toward 80 in the day and dipping deep into the 50s at night. The skies come alive with actual stars in view, not mosquitoes buzzing overhead. Yard work is so much more enjoyable. The air tastes sinfully smooth against months of sitting indoors, breathing processed air.

This past weekend’s Downtown Fall Festival and activities ushered in October with a flourish, but so much remains.

For the athlete, the 22nd Annual Over the River Run is set for Saturday. The 5-mile run and walk is always a River City hit. That same day is Bike to the Battlefield, where riders will begin a trek in Clinton and end at the Battlefield Inn off Clay Street. Several different mileage levels will be offered for the event that will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

For the food lover, look to the Clash in the Kitchen, a battle of local chefs. The event is scheduled for Thursday at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Proceeds benefit the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association.

The annual Salvation Army Soup and Sandwich event is set for Oct. 12, and the Mississippi State Fair kicks off Wednesday. Fair food, consisting of fried anything, will make the mouth water and the arteries harden — at the same time.

So many more events fill the local October calendar. Before you know it, it will be Oct. 30 and pooches from all over the area will compete in the annual Spooky Pooch Contest at the Outlets at Vicksburg. The Halloween-themed event produced by Paws Rescue is a worthy outing for any pet lover. The list of events goes on and on.

October will be so fine, it will make those 113 days of summer seem almost worth it.

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Sean P. Murphy is web editor. He can be reached at smurphy@vicksburgpost.com