The King reigns at Scarecrow Fest

Forget the straw-stuffed figures dressed in simple overalls and hats.

This year, 156 creative scarecrow entries crowded into Lincoln Park for this weekend's St. Charles Scarecrow Festival -- a record in the event's 22-year history.

Yet despite all the newcomers, scarecrow-creating veterans took home prizes in most of contest's five categories.

First place in the Whimsical category went to John Pelto of St. Charles, whose "Elvis, King of Crows," featured a late-period Elvis wearing his white jumpsuit.

"I was kind of surprised," Pelto said. "There were a lot of great entries."

Pelto said he was inspired by a Life magazine cover for the 30th anniversary of The King's death. Last year, Pelto walked off with a second-place prize for his take on the popular "Dancing With the Stars" television show.

"I look for something that people are going to like," Pelto said.

For the third year in a row, first place in the Mechanical category was captured by Ted Eynik of St. Charles.

This year, Eynik's "Singing Sasquatch" centered on a giant-but-friendly-looking Bigfoot monster, playing a ukulele and singing Tiny Tim's "Tiptoe Through the Tulips."

A host of smaller animated animals, including a snake and a mouse, completed the scene. Fireflies wearing firefighter helmets were illuminated with LED lights.

"There are seven motors pulling on coat hangers," Eynik said, describing how he creates the movements.

The key materials were burlap, chicken wire, straw and cardboard, he said, all held together with liberal use of glue stick.

"He starts on the small things months before," said his wife, Christine, of her husband's mechanical creations. "Then about eight weeks before the festival, life just stops on the weekends."

West Chicago's Benjamin Middle School chalked up a prize for the eighth year in a row, this year taking first place in the Children's category.

"It was a lot of teamwork," said teacher Lynette Wright, explaining that 100 students worked on the school's "Happy Halloween" entry made of paper mache.

First place in the traditional category went to the St. Charles East High School Colorguard. Their "STCE Colorguard Raises the Flag," was a tribute to the iconic flag-raising by U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima during World War II.

One of the most popular entries was produced by Fermilab and garnered third place in the Mechanical category.

"Ben's Illuminating Experience" featured the famous Benjamin Franklin kite-flying scene.

Upon pushing a button, there was a clap of thunder, the kite and its string lit up and Ben's plasma disc eyes bulged out.

"Well, that was quite illuminating!" the founding father said.

"It's fun to let people know that scientists have a sense of humor," said Mary Hawthorne of the lab's education department.

St. Charles Scarecrow Festival 2007 contest winners

Traditional

First place:St. Charles East High School Colorguard, "STCE Colorguard Raises the Flag"

Second place: Wasco Nursery, "Charlotte's Web"

Third place: Norman Miller, "Norman Shock Well"

Whimsical

First place:John Pelto, "Elvis: King of Crows"

Second place: Art by Joseph, "Pi CAW so Van Crow"

Third place: Sandra Mehl, "Jack, Sally and Zero"

Mechanical

First place:Ted Eynik, "Singing Sasquatch"

Second place: The Families that Shall Not Be Named, "Harry Potter 7, Escape From Gringotts"

Third place: Fermilab, "Ben's Illuminating Experience."

Business

First place:Fifth Third Bank, "Wizard of Oz"

Second place: City of St. Charles, "City Council at Work"

Children's

First place:Benjamin Middle School, "Happy Halloween"

Second place: Swing Set Preschool, "Swinging Through 35 Years at Swing Set Preschool"

Third place: Brownies-Girl Scout Troop 551, "The Frog Prince"

Fourth place: Michael and Friends and Cousins, "The Kids' Pet Shop"

Fifth place: Wasco Girl Scout Troop 885, "Juliet Jr."

Sixth place: St. Charles Park District, "St. Charles Park District"

Seventh place: Girl Scouts Brownie Troop 935, "The Puppet Show"

Eighth place: Girl Scout Troop 707, "Jelly Belly"

Ninth place: Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, "Beach Bum Bob"

10th place: Munhall Brownie Troop 507, "Girl Scout Fun by the Fire"