SCARECROWS & OTHER SPOOKY EVENTS

SCARECROWS

& other spooky events

THESE HALLOWEEN-THESE HALLOWEENTHEMED EVENTS ARETHEMED EVENTS ARE SURE TOSURE TOBRIGHTEN BRIGHTEN YOURYOUROCTOBER, OCTOBER, WHETHER YOUWHETHER YOU PREFER PREFER HAUNTED HAUNTED HIKES, HIKES, SCARECROWSSCARECROWS OR OR A TRIPA TRIP TO THE PUMPKINTO THE PUMPKIN PATCHPATCH

By Vicki Martinka Petersen Photos provided by St. Charles Business Alliance

Working 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 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.

4MORE OCTOBER EVENTS WORTH CHECKING OUT

THE FALL FUN CONTINUES ALL MONTH! DON’T MISS THESE KANE COUNTY EVENTS.

1PUMPKIN WEEKENDS Oct. 2-3, 9-11, 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31 Blackberry Farm, Aurora www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org

Celebrate fall with special autumn-related activities on the weekends in October. You can also enjoy Blackberry Farm’s regular attractions.

2A NIGHTMARE AT WEST MAIN Oct. 15 and 22 West Main Community Park, Batavia www.bataviaparks.org

See what’s creeping in the forest during a haunted hike through the trails. Note this event isn’t intended for kids younger than 10.

3PROJECT DAFFODIL Oct. 16 Mt. St. Mary Park, St. Charles www.projectdaffodilstc.com

This is the second year the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles has hosted the daffodil planting day. This year also includes Virginia bluebells!

4DOWNTOWN TRICK-OR-TREATING Oct. 28 Downtown Geneva www.geneva.il.us

Youngsters can get a head start on Halloween by wearing their costumes and trick-or-treating at participating shops and restaurants.

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