Celebrate tradition at the 40th annual St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend

The 40th annual St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend, presented by St. Charles Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, is taking place on Friday to Sunday, Oct. 10-12 in downtown St. Charles.

The Scarecrow Contest, sponsored by Teqworks, is the highlight of the weekend and will be taking place throughout the entirety of the event.

Visitors are invited to vote for their favorite scarecrows among more than 120 creative entries across four categories: Individual, Clubs/Not-for-Profits/Schools, Business, and Mega/Mechanical.

Scarecrows will be displayed along Riverside Avenue, Lincoln Park, and First Street. Guests can cast one vote in each category and pick up an exclusive “I Voted” sticker from one of the information booths. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

In honor of the 40th anniversary, special T-shirts can be pre-ordered at the event, or online at scarecrowfest.com. T-shirt pickup will take place Oct. 22-24 at the St. Charles Municipal Building. No late orders will be accepted. No shipping options available.

The Family Zone, sponsored by St. Charles Bank & Trust, will be located in Lincoln Park and will have many family-friendly activities during the weekend, including live music, dance teams, family fun booths and roaming entertainment.

Some of the entertainment that guests will be able to experience include the Windy City Ghostbusters, the magic of Scott Piner, and a live music performance from Hillbilly Rockstarz.

The Activity Zone, sponsored by McNally’s Heating & Cooling, will be on Riverside Avenue between Main Street and Illinois Avenue. Here, visitors will find more family-friendly fall activities including Scarecrow-to-Go, a rock-climbing wall, inflatable corn maze, and a special appearance from the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and the Pillsbury Dough Boy on Saturday, Oct. 11.

On the 1st Street Plaza, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of St. Charles, attendees can enjoy free live music entertainment throughout the weekend.

The performers include School of Rock Geneva from 1-3 p.m. and The Frizz from 4-6 p.m. Friday; Nicole Devine from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 13 Days from 2-4 p.m. and Grant Milliren Duo from 5-7 p.m. Saturday; and Gregory Hyde from noon to 2 p.m. and Ethan Bell and Kellen Langston from 3-5 p.m. Sunday.

Check out offering at the Autumn on the Fox Craft Show, a festival staple for almost forty years. The craft show, featuring over 150 crafters, will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave.

There will also be a “Fall in Love” photo opportunity for attendees, mascots from the St. Charles Public Library and Goldfish Swim School, and face painting on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Visitors also can enjoy an array of food options throughout the weekend. In the Lincoln Park Family Zone, Just Kabobs and Taco Urbano will have food for purchase.

In the front municipal parking lot, Franky’s Red Hots and the St. Charles Breakfast Rotary Club will be selling food as well.

In the Riverside Activity Zone, Windy Acres Farm will also be selling a variety of fall treats for purchase. In honor of the weekend, many other local businesses will be offering special sales and promotions. To learn more, visit www.scarecrowfest.com/salesandspecials.

St. Charles Business Alliance Executive Director Jenna Sawicki reflects on the 40th anniversary of this community tradition.

“It’s incredible to look back and see how this event has evolved throughout the years since its inception,” Sawicki said. “What has always remained the same, though, is its purpose — bringing family and friends together to enjoy plenty of activities, support our local businesses, and celebrate the fall season as a community.”

The Presenting Sponsor for 2025 St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend is St. Charles Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Additional Sponsors include McNally’s Heating & Cooling, St. Charles Bank & Trust, Art of the Heartland, Comcast, Gerald Subaru of North Aurora, McGrath Honda of St. Charles, Meijer, Mendel Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Mercedes-Benz of St. Charles, MKFM Law, Napleton Chevrolet, Raising Cane’s, Smile Haven Dental Studio, St. Charles Closets, Teqworks, Theriault Booth LLC. Attorneys at Law, Goldfish Swim School, St. Charles Public Library, Encore Mt. Morris, Lakeshore Recycling Systems, M.K. Movers, Scouting America Three Fires Council, and Windy Acres Farm.

To find more information on St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend, visit scarecrowfest.com. For additional inquiries, contact the St. Charles Business Alliance at (630) 443-3967.