SCARECROWS & other spooky events THESE THESEHALLOWEENHALLOWEENTHEMED ARE THEMEDEVENTS EVENTS ARE SURE SURETO TO BRIGHTEN BRIGHTEN YOUR YOUR OCTOBER, OCTOBER, WHETHER PREFER WHETHERYOU YOU PREFER HAUNTED HIKES, HAUNTED HIKES, SCARECROWS TRIP SCARECROWS OR AATRIP TOTOTHE PATCH THEPUMPKIN PUMPKIN PATCH By Vicki Martinka Petersen Photos provided by St. Charles Business Alliance
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orking remotely. Carrying hand sanitizer. Dining outdoors. These are some of the changes from COVID-19 that seem here to stay. Now, socially distanced scarecrows can be added to this list.
Last year during the pandemic, Scarecrow Festival expanded from its usual home at Lincoln Park to around the downtown St. Charles area, allowing visitors to view the handcrafted scarecrows on display. This year’s Scarecrow Fest, taking place Oct. 8-10, will see the return of socially distanced scarecrows along with new and beloved attractions. Organizers hope to have the same number of scarecrows — around 75 — within walking distance in the downtown area. “We’re really excited to bring back Scarecrow Fest and have it come back on a larger scale this year,” says
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Amy Curione, events manager for St. Charles Business Alliance, which puts on the event. “The handmade scarecrows are the main focus of this event. We want to provide a nice relaxing atmosphere for families and the community to enjoy the fall season,” Curione says. Attendees are encouraged to stop by the information tents near the Municipal Building and Lincoln Park and pick up a ballot to vote for their favorite scarecrow in each category — mechanical and mega; clubs/notfor-profits/schools; individual/family; and businesses. While visitors look at the scarecrows, they’re welcome to check out the local businesses as well. “Many businesses will be offering fall specials and offering products spotlighting flavors of the season like soaps, cocktails and beer,” Curione says. After viewing the scarecrows, families
can stop by the new Family Zone at Lincoln Park. The area will be chockfull of activities for the whole family, including a magic show, face painting and professional pumpkin carvings. Vendor booths also will feature family activities. Attendees can continue the fun at home by purchasing a “Scarecrow in a Box.” Each box contains all the supplies to build your own scarecrow: pantyhose, twine, clothes and straw to stuff the scarecrow. “We offered this last year in place of making scarecrows during the festival. It was so popular that we decided to offer it again,” Curione says. Scarecrow Fest will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 9 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 10. Visit www.scarecrowfest.com for more information about the event, including the latest information related to health guidelines.
FAMILY IN FOCUS OCTOBER 2021
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