The Historic Town of Williamston and the Envision Williamston Main Street Program, invite all area residents and businesses to participate in the 2nd Annual Scarecrow Decorating Contest. The official display period is from October 17 through November 18th, however, displays may be set up following registration and design approval.
Registration deadline is October 24 to be eligible for judging. There is no entry fee. Entry forms are available on the Envision Williamston website. Entry forms must be brought to Town Hall on or before October 24th.
Displays may be placed throughout the town. On the form, participants will be asked to indicate their display’s intended location. If you do not have a location, you may ask a local church, business or homeowner to host your display, organizers said.
If none of these options apply, there are some public spaces available, and scarecrow displays can be assigned a designated public space around town.
Awards will be given for all categories and there will be a “People’s Award” for the overall best.
The contest is open to all ages, however each project entry must be supervised by at least one adult, 21 years of age or older.
A panel of three judges with expertise in planning, decorating, and/or design will judge the displays.
Prizes will include 1st , 2nd and 3rd place awards for each category.
A “People’s Choice” Speciality Plaque will be voted on by the public. In addition, Certificates will be given for Most Creative and Most Whimsical.
Judging will take place by a panel of judges on or around the first week of November.
People’s choice votes will be cast online either through the town website or the Envision Website.
Scarecrows will remain up until Friday, November 18th, the week before Thanksgiving.
Envision Williamston Community Engagement Vice Chair Debbie Chapman offers the following tips to select a theme for a scarecrow:
“Traditional scarecrows are made of old clothing, burlap, gunny sacks, straw hats, aprons, bonnets, cornstalks, raffia, straw, etc. We recommend that you use items that aren’t sentimental as the scarecrows will not be returned.”
Plastic 2-liter drink bottles also make a good body and are recyclable, Chapman said. “Whether you choose traditional, contemporary or humorous approach is up to you. Your scarecrow can be whimsical, frightening, funny or sad.”
Chapman said, “Let your imagination run wild but please keep your creation in good taste as these will be publicly displayed.”
Other guidelines include:
Use of bright colors, unique materials and solar powered lighting is encouraged.
Scarecrows must be durable and able to stand up to sun, wind, and rain. All decorations must be firmly attached to the scarecrow.
Scarecrows may be attached to light posts and other objects around town or on a stand using a 2×4 for the body and a broomstick as arms. Items may be added after a scarecrow has been placed in its display area.
All entries must be handmade and can include a sign up to 11×17.
No advertising or political statements are allowed.
Vulgar or inappropriate messages as well as scary, grusome or bloody scarecrows are prohibited.
The Scarecrow Contest is intended to be family friendly and fun, organizers said. Envision Williamston reserves the right to disqualify any entry they feel to be distasteful or not family friendly.
Minimum size is 4 ft. tall. Maximum height is 7 ft. Scarecrows and props on sidewalks or lamp posts must fit in a 5×5 area. Those on private property may be larger but must be preapproved to be judged.
For more information and to register your scarecrow display, go the the town’s website or the Envision Williamston website at envisionwilliamston.com
“Let’s Celebrate the Harvest Season in Williamston,” Envision Williamston Executive Director Sonya Crandall said.
