Help us kick off fall with our 3nd Annual Scarecrow Festival at Grandma’s! Let’s usher in the arrival of all things festive with a day of spooky, spectacular scarecrows, fall-themed food vendors, and the seasonal opening of our new and improved railroad! And new this year: a kids-only category!
Enter the Scarecrow Contest to compete for prizes!
Regular Entry:
• 1st Place – $300
• 2nd Place – $200
• 3rd Place – $100
Kids Entry (12 & Under):
• 1st Place – $100
People’s Choice Award – $300
(Yes, that does mean your team can win up to $600 if your team claims 1st place as a regular entry and people’s choice!)
All prizes are awarded per team/group
Contestants must use the scarecrow frame provided at Grandma’s Gardens. Collect your scarecrow frame after registering here online. All other supplies are up to you.
Contestants will take their Scarecrow frames home with them and bring them back between Monday, September 8th and Saturday, September 13th (no later than the day of the event at 10:00am). We encourage contestants to do the majority of their design and assembly offsite. Final touches can be added during setup at Grandma’s Gardens. ALL SCARECROWS MUST BE ON SITE BY 10:00AM SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PRIZES. Judging will begin promptly at 12:00pm Saturday, September 13th.
On the day of the festival, look for the plaque with your team’s name. A PVC pipe that fits your scarecrow’s frame will be provided to keep your scarecrow upright. Please leave 12 inches of space at the bottom of your scarecrow frame empty to fit into the pipe. Sign your team up by clicking the link to the right. Scarecrow Frames will be available for pickup Wednesday, August 6th–Friday, September 12th, while supplies last. Store hours 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 10am-5pm Sundays.
All scarecrows must be delivered to and setup at Grandma’s Gardens (8107 N SR-48 Waynesville, OH 45068) on Saturday, September 13th no later than 10:00am. Scarecrows can be delivered and set up as early as Monday, September 8th.
Our Scarecrow Contest is open to all ages, individuals, families, clubs/non-profits & businesses. Each individual or group may only enter one time. There is NO cost to enter the contest.
1. Scarecrows must be built on the provided frame. Head CAN be removed if desired.
2. No store-bought scarecrows.
3. Scarecrows must be able to fit in a 6′ x 6′ footprint once assembled.
4. Entries deemed offensive, political, not family friendly, or not in the good-natured spirit of the event, will be removed.
5. Entrants are responsible for setup and must ensure their scarecrow can withstand the elements.
6. Employees of Grandma’s Gardens are not eligible to win.
September 13th, 2025
9:00am-10:00am – Scarecrow setup/final touches
11:00am-3:00pm – Vendors on site
12:00pm – Judging Begins
2:00pm – Winners announced
People’s Choice Award: voting takes place on social media over the following week; awarded the following weekend. Any contestants suspected of purchasing votes online or creating an unfair voting environment risk immediate disqualification.
Scarecrows are left on display through October 17th (after which time contestants can claim). All contestants who wish to claim their scarecrow must do so no later than October 20th.
• Creativity – 5 possible points – unique, original concept, new idea, does the scarecrow tell a story
• Design – 5 possible points – technique, materials used (recycled materials are strongly encouraged)
• Construction – 5 possible points – can your scarecrow withstand the elements (wind and rain)
• Overall Impression – 5 possible points – Judges are looking for that scarecrow with a little bit extra. Whether it’s with the materials used, the way the scarecrow has been made, how it is displayed, or simply an ingenious concept
Retail: 937.885.2740
Design: 937.885.2973
8107 N. SR 48
Waynesville, OH 45068
Hours:
Mon – Sat, 9am-5pm
Sun, 10am-5pm
