Enjoy kooky, creative scarecrows handcrafted by businesses, individuals, schools and organizations, scattered throughout the Gainesville Garden from Oct. 3 – Nov. 1, inspired by this year’s theme, Wild & Wonderful: Folk Art by Alfred Glover. The exhibition debuts at FallFest, a day of family fun in the Garden on Oct. 3.
Every scarecrow on the trail is in the running for our Visitors Choice Award! As you stroll through the woods, snap a photo of your favorite and cast your vote online. The scarecrow with the most votes wins a gift basket from the Garden Gift Shop — so bring your friends and family to help your favorite take the crown!
Registration Deadline: Opens Aug. 10, closes Sept. 14
Scarecrow Name Due: Sept. 14*
Scarecrow Drop Off: Sept. 26-27, noon – 6 p.m.**
Scarecrow Salvage: Nov. 3, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Exhibition Dates: Oct. 3 – Nov. 1 (closed Mondays, except Indigenous Peoples’ Day)
*Please note: Scarecrow names cannot be changed after submission. ** Be sure to put a temporary sign on your scarecrow with your name and the name of your creation.
Guidelines
• Anyone can register! Families, community groups, small businesses, schools and individuals are all welcome to participate. The exhibition is limited to 20 entries.
• This year’s theme is Wild & Wonderful: Folk Art by Alfred Glover. We’d love to see creations inspired by the colorful sculptures on display through Aug. 30.
The Garden reserves the right to refuse any entry that does not meet the criteria listed below.
• Build your scarecrow to be freestanding, with a base no larger than 3′ x 3′, easily carried by two people, and weigh less than 40 lbs. Scarecrows are secured, but not dug or staked into the ground.
• You will not be allowed to set up your scarecrow in the Garden or choose your location. You can set up at the drop off point to show how it goes together or you can attach a photo of it assembled.
• Do not include live plant material or pumpkins in your display.
• Make your entry as durable and weatherproof as possible. Any scarecrow that deteriorates to an unacceptable level during the month will be removed.
• Entries must be suitable for viewing by children. Entries in poor taste for family viewing, depicting controversial subjects, or overtly commercial in nature will not be accepted. Do not include your business logo.
• The Garden provides signage identifying your organization and the name of your scarecrow. The Garden does not allow any additional signage, pamphlets or handouts to be displayed with your scarecrow.
• The Garden is not responsible for loss or damage to scarecrows while on display or in the drop-off/pick-up area.
Drop Off & Pick Up Instructions
First, put a temporary sign on your scarecrow with your name, and the name of your creation. Bring entries to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville — there will be a designated space in the parking lot. Scarecrows not picked up by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 will be discarded. Consider pick up a “salvage opportunity,” your scarecrow will not be in great shape after a month outside.