Celebrate fall at St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
Over the years, the annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival has been one of the markers of the ages and stages of our family.
When our daughter was little, we joined the throngs of families with strollers, who gaped at the curiously wonderful array of scarecrows on display throughout Lincoln Park.
As she got older, we ventured to the festival’s petting zoo, pony rides and entertaining dog tricks, temporary tattoos, play tables and more. In between, we perused the art and craft show in Pottawatomie Park, listened to live music at the Main Stage in Lincoln Park, and we always made time for carnival rides.
This weekend brings the 26th year of the Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 7-9. With entertainment, fun activities, food and hundreds of scarecrows, this annual downtown offering is likely to be another successful local event with wide appeal.
Of special interest for youngsters are many fest favorites as well as new additions. Among these are: the Petting Zoo; Make Your Own Scarecrow; the carnival; storytelling; the popular Meijer Kids Zone, where kids can make and take crafts; and an irresistible ice cream eating contest hosted by Colonial Cafe.
Fun on First (First Street) offers pony rides, and interactive sports demos and performances including yoga, Zumbatomics for Kids, soccer and baseball.
Food is always a welcome part of any festival, and this year offers a new addition of Great Tastes of St. Charles, with literally something for everyone, including pizza, burgers and even sushi.
“(Great Tastes) is a vision we have had and it is so exciting to see it come to life,” said Jenny O’Brien, marketing manager and Scarecrow Fest liaison.
“(The St. Charles area) has so many unique restaurants that we wanted to be able to showcase those to festival attendees.”
Participating restaurants are joining together to provide a dining opportunity on the city’s east side, directly behind the St. Charles municipal building. Diners will get to sit and eat along the Fox River, close to another of this year’s festival additions: the Riverwalk Stage.
This new entertainment venue, located in the Municipal Center lot, will host the Boxcar Comedy Show, the Colonial Cafe Ice Cream Eating Contest, and music by Ellus Bellus. Popular returning festival entertainment will include a live reading of “The Scarecrow Story” by St. Charles author R.T. Moser.
The Main Stage in Lincoln Park will return this year with more top entertainment, including St. Charles native and former American Idol finalist Leslie Hunt, as well as 7th Heaven and High Fidelity.
The carnival eventually became the draw for us, and with young friends, we took advantage of the armband special whenever we could. This offering still continues with a $20 carnival wristband special from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.
In addition to rip-roaring rides, older kids will find plenty to see and do throughout the fest, with live music, as well as dance and theater performances, a fall photo booth run by St. Charles cheerleaders, and more.
A thrill for parents — almost as wonderful and as scary as a carnival ride — is when their children are old enough to go to the Scarecrow Festival with friends, and not with their parents in tow. The trade-off is parents get to spend more time at the offerings of particular interest for adults, such as the Suzuki Road Show, and the display of Volkswagen cars.
This is the inaugural year of a partnership between the Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau and Special Events Management. As a result, Suzuki is the new signature sponsor, and is bringing its well-publicized Suzuki Kizashi Kicks Road Show to town. Billed as “a no-hassle, no-pressure test and drive in an ultra-fun environment,” this First Street activity will allow registered drivers to check out these very cool looking mid-size sedans.
It goes without saying the piece de resistance of this festival is the scarecrows.
“Visitors love coming back each year to see the heart and soul of the festival, the scarecrow contest,” O’Brien said.
“Kids, as well as adults, love looking at the scarecrows and picking out their favorites. They love that they are the ones who determine the winners, too. Everyone can view and vote for their favorite in each of six categories.”
Scarecrows of all sorts are created and entered each year by individuals and families as well as businesses. More than 100 handcrafted scarecrows adorned Lincoln Park last year, along Main Street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, and even more are expected this year.
Inspiration may strike, especially after viewing this amazing display, in which case you can head over to the Make Your Own Scarecrow tent, and create your very own scarecrow to take home. You can find this event at two locations: on the river’s east side, close to the Municipal Building, and in its traditional west side location near the Filling Station, on Third and Main. There is a $2 donation per scarecrow, which benefits St. Charles Boy Scout Troop 60, whose members volunteer for this well-attended activity.
“I think the fest is very attractive to many because summer is over and winter is around the corner, so it’s sort of the last celebration/festival of the year. And with free parking, free admission and being alcohol free, it’s the perfect event for families of all ages,” O’Brien said.
Last year’s event brought record crowds of 120,000 attendees from 14 states to St. Charles. Avoid festival traffic by parking at Charlestowne Mall, east of town, and ride the free festival shuttle directly to First Street, from where all festival activities are within easy walking distance. Free trolley rides will also be offered at the trolley stop located on First Street between Main and Illinois streets.
On the west side of town, park at Thompson Junior High and Haines Middle School and ride the free shuttle to and from Lincoln Park.
For more information, visit scarecrowfest.com, or call (630) 377-6161.
If you go
What: St. Charles Scarecrow Fest
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7-9
Where: Throughout downtown St. Charles, including Pottawatomie Park, Lincoln Park and First Street; see online map for all locations
Cost: Free admission; fee for food and some activities
Details: <a href="http://www.scarecrowfest.com/index.php">scarecrowfest.com</a>; (800) 777-4373