Fall spirit on display at 37th annual St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend

Fall-themed family entertainment is what the 37th annual Scarecrow Weekend is all about. The St. Charles Business Alliance will bring the popular fall festival back to downtown St. Charles from Friday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 9. Admission is free.

The Scarecrow Contest takes place throughout the weekend and will give visitors the opportunity to vote on their favorite scarecrows. The four scarecrow categories are: Individual/Family, Business, Club/Not-for-Profits/Schools, and Mechanical/Mega. The scarecrows will be displayed on 1st Street and Riverside Avenue and throughout downtown, and the Mechanical/Mega scarecrows will be displayed in Lincoln Park.

Many local businesses will offer fall themed specials in honor of the weekend, including Board & Brush which will be hosting a Scarecrow Weekend workshop on Friday and Saturday, and the St. Charles History Museum which will have a covered wagon with hands-on historical props, popcorn, cornhusk doll making, and a sidewalk sale Friday through Sunday. There will also be several businesses offering food that can be purchased on-the-go such as Mad Batter selling apple cider doughnuts and other fall treats, and Kilwins with caramel apples, caramel corn, hot chocolate, and more.

The Family Zone will be in Lincoln Park and will feature many family-friendly activities along with live music and entertainment. Some of the entertainment that will be featured includes a Magic Show with Scott Piner, Jason Kollum: World's Tallest Juggling Scarecrow Stilt Walker, face painting, a giant bubble artist, and more.

The Activity Zone will take place on Riverside Avenue. The Activity Zone will have more family-friendly activities to partake in, including the Scarecrow in a Box available for purchase. The Scarecrow in a Box, presented by Anderson Humane, comes with everything needed to make a scarecrow. Also located in the Activity Zone will be a Touch-A-Truck, presented by the city of St. Charles, which will allow children to get an up-close look at trucks. There will be festive photo opportunities and a professional pumpkin carver, as well.

Pottawattamie Park will host the Autumn on the Fox Craft Show, presented by Art of the Heartland, which will occur on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Craft Show will feature over 100 crafters with handmade products for purchase.

St. Charles Business Alliance Executive Director Jenna Sawicki, says she is excited for this year's event.

"We are hoping that everyone gets a chance to come out and enjoy all the entertainment and activities that are taking place at Scarecrow Weekend," Sawicki stated in a news release.

To view the entire Scarecrow Weekend schedule, visit www.scarecrowfest.com. If you have questions, call the St. Charles Business Alliance at (630) 443-3967.