More Than You May Want To Know
The idea for the scarecrow contest came from Eric Chittenden owner of the Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center, Vermont. It had been a good promotional tactic for his cider mill and he suggested we try it here. We did and it was....front page of the Sunday KC Star, featured in Midwest Living magazine, local TV news coverage, etc.
It has become a neighborhood event where a lot of enjoyment is derived in the making of the scarecrow, probably because there is no right or wrong way to do it. It's pretty much whatever you decide and it's done with materials that were already headed for the garage sale.
Certain scarecrow makers spend considerable time in the planning, material gathering, and building phases of their entries. Most begin only a day or two before the contest. A few make a point of waiting till the last hour before starting. Winning entries have resulted from all three work styles.
Many teachers and youth leaders have said it was "the most fun project we did all year". Kids enjoy stuffing straw into old clothes and deciding what the face should look like, so do senior citizens. What most entrants don't fully realize is the pleasure their efforts bring to the thousands of people who come to see their work. Small children have frequently been seen talking to their favorites which are often ones made by other children just a few years older then they are.
As the years passed it slowly dawned on us that the scarecrow contest had become more than a publicity gimmick, or a contest for prize money. It has become an easily accessible public venue for folk artists and folk artists in the making. Most scarecrow makers wouldn't characterize themselves as folk artists but as you look at the results of their efforts it becomes apparent that they are.
After the contest is over the scarecrows are left on public display which is billed as an Ephemeral* Folk Art Exhibit. It draws visitors from the entire Kansas City region including busloads of senior citizens and school children. The scarecrows have served as a source of inspiration for professional artists and as subject material for photography contest entries.
* works with a short life span
First Prize ----------------- $100
Second Prize ----------------- $50
Third Prize ------------------- $25
Honorable Mention ---- 1 ounce of Silver
Straw Scramble
Kids search for treasure in a pile of straw.
Free! Ages 3 - 11
The scramble starts after the contest winners are announced.
General Rules
1. Entries must be between 4 ft. and 6 ft.tall to qualify for First, Second, and Third Prizes.
2. Every entry should be made with materials of little or no value and be able to withstand inclement weather.
3. Only one entry per person: however, each member of a group may submit an entry. There is no entry fee.
For information regarding dates, times and other matters please call or pick up an information sheet at the mill.
After School Activity
Teachers and troop leaders have constructed their entries here at the mill from materials they brought with them. This is usually done at the picnic table outside. We will furnish the straw for stuffing.
Afterwards some leaders have held a cider sipping contest. We'll furnish the see through cups, straws and an official looking Certificate of Recognition for the winner. You will have to do the officiating. Cider and cider donuts are available for purchase
