Bragg Creek’s first Scarecrow Festival had 131 scarecrows scattered across downtown, and that is the number to beat this October.
“[The first year] went really great – everyone was really excited and it was something more fun and frivolous,” said Stacia Hemmett, event organizer, also know as ‘Scarecrow mama.’ “It was extremely well received.”
The festival kicks off Oct. 2 with the scarecrows on display until Oct. 31, with the unique festival attracting straw stuffers and gawkers from near and far, Hemmett said.
“It is very cool, a lot of our locals are really artsy and creative,” Hemmett said. “This is an artisan community – and this is a great way to show it.”
Bragg Creek businesses, families and residents are encouraged to get imaginative with their scarecrows, which can win prizes for seven different categories, including cutest, scariest, best human, best animal, best celebrity look alike, best multiple character display and best overall.
“One year, someone entered Miley Cyrus on a wrecking ball,” Hemmett said with a laugh, while also adding that sometimes one entry can win more than one category.
The idea of a scarecrow festival started three years ago when Hemmett and one of her friends were discussing potential ways to get through the fall ‘tourist slumps’ and were inspired to start a quirky month long themed fall festival. The idea was brainstormed right before the 2013 floods in Alberta and, after the devastation hit, the festival seemed like a perfect event to pick up community spirit, organizers said.
“We are still struggling after the flood – we needed something that was fun,” Hemmett said. “This helps all the businesses by creating more traffic flow – we try to get as many businesses, families and residents to build scarecrows.”
The scarecrows will be displayed in Bragg Creek’s commercial core and on main roadways with judging opening mid-October. Organizers invite Creekers and out of town guests to come fill out judging forms between Oct. 9 and Oct. 25, with winners to be announced Oct. 26.
“It’s for all of us – including the residents to participate and have fun and a sense of community spirit while having fun doing something goofy together,” Hemmett said.
With 89 scarecrows submitted last year, Hemmett said she is reminding everyone this year to get involved because organizers want it to be the biggest and best festival yet.
One of Hemmett’s favourite festival stories is from last year, when an eight-year-old girl from Calgary came down with her mom and a couple friends after requesting that her birthday party be at the Scarecrow Festival.
“That was very cool – they had fun and loved it,” Hemmett said.
For more information about the event go to the Bragg Creek Scarecrow Festival’s Facebook page.
“I hope everyone has a great time,” said Hemmett, “and will come out and join the community spirit and support our local businesses.”
