Back by popular demand, the Oxford Scarecrow Festival will return next month to inspire imaginations and increase local straw sales.
‘I’ve had a lot of people ask me throughout the year if we’re doing it again,? said Michelle Bishop, executive director of the Oxford Community Development Authority. ‘People have got their ideas already.?
This year’s festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 in downtown Oxford’s Centennial Park.
However, the fun will begin Friday, Oct. 1 when scarecrow displays begin popping up at residences and businesses in both the village and township.
Bishop said those wishing to have their strawmen (and women) judged in the annual ‘Scarecrow Contest? must have their entries set up and registered with the OCDA by Friday, Oct. 15.
Registration forms will be available in pages of the The Oxford Leader and on the village’s website (www.villageofoxford.org), she said.
The scarecrows ‘must be in good taste and constructed to withstand the weather,? according to the contest’s official rules.
Once all the entries are setup and registered, Bishop said the ‘top 20 or 30? scarecrows will be selected by a committee. The creators of these finalists will be invited to set-up their strawful creations in Centennial Park on the day of the festival.
Festival-goers will then vote for the top five scarecrows with the first place winner receiving the ‘coveted Crow Award,? Bishop said.
Last year, the Crow Award (People’s Choice Award) went to the Metamora Canine Academy in downtown Oxford. An impressive 52 businesses and 25 residences participated in 2003’s decorating contest.
‘Last year went really well. It really caught on. I was really surprised. Once people started putting them out, they just kept popping up all over the place,? Bishop said.
But viewing and judging scarecrows will be just part of the fun in the park on festival day.
A pet parade featuring costumed dogs, cats and other domestic companions will march through the downtown, according to Bishop. After the parade, festival-goers will have the opportunity to vote for Best Costume, Best Trick and other categories.
Representatives from the Orion Art Center will be on hand to conduct a pumpkin decorating workshop for the kiddies.
Participants will be able to choose their own pumpkin from a bin and use magic markers, glitter and whatever else is on hand to express themselves and bring their orange gourds to life. However, Bishop wished to note that no pumpkin carving will take place at the park.
If all that excitement makes you hungry, don’t worry, a variety of food vendors will be on hand dishing out fall food favorites such as chili, bratwurst and kettle corn.
For more information about Oxford Scarecrow Festival 2004 call the OCDA’s Michelle Bishop at (248) 628-2543.