Scarecrows are popping up around Coshocton County
Over the past couple of weeks, scarecrows have been popping up all over Coshocton as part of an annual event organized by Clary Gardens.Businesses, organizations and residents are all encouraged to use their creative skills to make a scarecrow, which they can register at www.scarecrowtown.com and enter in the traditional, pop culture or creepy categories.
“We have 50 right now,” said Jandi Adams, director of Clary Gardens. “Last year we were closer to 100, but we still have a couple more; we are waiting on photos. It isn’t as big, but we have some really good ones. We are impressed and happy that people are having fun. More than half of our entries this year are brand new to doing it too.”
In addition to the scarecrows in the city, there are 10 at Clary Gardens spread out along the walking trail. While checking them out, people can participate in the scarecrow-themed story walk before it is changed to the winter theme at the end of October.
A few years ago, the scarecrow contest started including the county, and several can once again be seen outside of the city limits.
“Keene is our break-through community,” Adams said. “They have seven scarecrows at the school, plus a big scene at Keene United Methodist Church. They are really cool. Mrs. Raber’s Pete the Cat is leading in pop culture.”
People still have time to get their scarecrows up and entered in the contest if they would like. The cost is $10 for residential, $15 for nonprofit and $25 for business.
Once your scarecrow is registered, people can visit www.scarecrowtown.com to view a map of all the entries and vote for their favorite ones.
A winner will be picked in each category, and there will be a People’s Choice. While online voting is important, judges from outside the county help determine the final winners.
“They look at originality and creativity, craftsmanship and presentation, principal of design, and overall look,” Adams said. “It’s really hard to pick. The top 10 can be a fraction of a point away from each other. It’s the bonus points for the judges that give us the winners.”
Voting will end Friday, Oct. 29. Prizes will be awarded during the Coshocton County Fatherhood Initiative’s Fall Fatherhood Festival, scheduled Saturday, Oct. 30 from 2-5 p.m. at Clary Gardens. Dads and father figures are encouraged to bring their family out for an afternoon of fun and activities. There will be pumpkin painting, coloring and decorating, a rock hunt with door prizes, food, music, trick-or-treat candy, costumes, scarecrows, and job employment and child support information.
“It’s shaping up to be a fun event for family and friends,” Adams said. “It’s all absolutely free, and we are excited to get people out to the gardens.”
Category: Multimedia, People & Places, Photo Galleries
