Scarecrow fest draws thousands to St. Charles

Plenty of family activities and a sunny fall day combined to draw what sponsors estimated to be 25,000 to 30,000 people to downtown St. Charles on Saturday for the 26th annual Scarecrow Fest.

Visitors strolled the riverfront, browsed a craft fair, watched a costume contest for dogs and, of course, made scarecrows.

Boy Scout Troop 60 staffed two scarecrow-making stations — one on each side of the Fox River — and for a $2 donation helped families combine a pair of pantyhose, a pair of pants, a long-sleeved shirt, plenty of straw and a little bit of twine into a festive fall decoration.

Last year, more than 1,500 people made scarecrows during the three-day festival said Kristen Mann of St. Charles, who volunteered at one of the scarecrow-making stations Saturday afternoon.

“It’s a very, very popular event,” Mann said. “Every year, people come in droves.”

This year’s crowd included Jen Wuebbles, who helped her 2-year-old son Cole and her friend’s daughter, 4-year-old Lyla Lubeck, made a scarecrow.

“It’s taller than me,” Lyla said when the straw-filled decoration was finished.

But then the question became: who’s going to carry it around the festival?

Wuebbles’ answer: the stroller.

Some at the event said the warm weather played a role in attracting crowds.

“I think part of it’s the weather,” said Bonnie Olson, who was staffing a display Heinz Brothers Greenhouse and Garden Center set up at the event. “And there’s so much for kids to do. You hardly see anyone that doesn’t have their son or daughter or grandson or granddaughter in tow.”

Festivalgoers strolled the streets in groups, ambling to different sections of the festival, which was spread out along First Street and in Pottawatomie and Lincoln parks.

“We have four parks that flank our downtown so there’s a lot of natural beauty,” said Jennifer Faivre, executive director of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership.

The scenic Fox River setting is exactly what helps draw thousands to the fall event every year, Mann said.

“I think being by the river attracts people,” Mann said. “I think a lot of people like St. Charles for a weekend destination.”

Scarecrow Fest continues Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.