WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — Residents, businesses and organizations across Fayette County are invited to build and enter a scarecrow in this year’s Scarecrow Contest, part of the Scarecrow Festival returning to downtown Washington Court House Sept. 17-20, the city said in a Facebook post.
Entry is free and open to individuals, families, businesses, schools, churches and organizations, according to contest rules distributed by the Fayette County Travel & Tourism Bureau, which is presenting the contest alongside the Scarecrow Festival committee. Entrants may pre-register at the city administration building before the festival or sign up in person at the SCF Booth outside the building once it begins.
Scarecrows must be freestanding or securely staked, complete and ready for display downtown by 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, the rules state. Entries must be weather-resistant and remain on display throughout the festival, then be removed after it concludes Sunday, Sept. 20.
The Scarecrow Festival committee will judge entries on technique, materials, creativity and overall impression, awarding a $100 cash prize for first place, $40 for second place and an event T-shirt for third place. Winners will be announced during the festival, and owners will be contacted to pick up their prizes at the main booth, according to the contest rules. The rules also note that entries containing offensive, obscene, hateful, discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate content will not be accepted, and organizers reserve the right to refuse any entry deemed unsuitable for display.
The Scarecrow Festival is held annually the third weekend of September in downtown Washington Court House and also features classic car and tractor displays, food and craft vendors, amusement rides, games, a 5K and 10K run/walk, and live music, according to the Fayette County Travel & Tourism Bureau.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the City of Washington Court House and the Fayette County Travel & Tourism Bureau.
