Scarecrows about to pop up all over Stratford

A scarecrow ready for the festival, made by the team at In-Stitches, one of the sponsors of the event.

There will be plenty of straw effigies (and presumably very few crows) in Stratford when the inaugural Stratford Scarecrow Trail takes place.

Samara Preston, community development officer at Stratford District Council says the event is timed to coincide with the Taranaki Garden Spectacular which starts on Friday, October 27.

She says the scarecrow festival will engage both the community and visitors offering a fun, free family friendly activity while they are visiting the region.

A mini scarecrow friend for the In-Stitches scarecrow.

"We hope it will encourage more people to come to Stratford during the garden festival, as they will be able to visit the local gardens which feature in both garden festivals as well as enjoying a scarecrow hunt around the town."

The one-town district will be no place for formidophobes - those with a fear of scarecrows (presumably, that includes most crows).

Samara says the council is creating a few scarecrows to make up part of the trail, with local businesses, schools and individuals also encouraged to make their own and register it as part of the trail.

"We have over $2\000 worth of prizes to be won in the various categories with prizes including vouchers, gardening products, seedlings and tools."

Samara says she and the community development team are delighted with the generous support of the sponsors of the event, In-Stitches, Stratford Hospice shop, Yates and Stratford ITM.

"We would also love to hear from any other businesses who would like to get involved and sponsor the project in some way."

Maps of the trail will be available from the Stratford i-Site and from the Stratford District Council website from Wednesday, October 25.

"People can take the map and identify the different scarecrows by matching an icon displayed on the scarecrow to the correct numbered scarecrow on the map to go into a draw to win one of several prize packs," says Samara.

There will be a scarecrow making workshop as part of the school holiday programme next week, says Samara.

"This gives people the chance to learn how to make their own scarecrow and if they want to, they can then register it as part of the Stratford Scarecrow Festival."

Samara says while the workshop is being run as part of the school holiday programme, it is open to everyone regardless of age.

"We want everyone to get involved in this great community initiative. Help us put Stratford, and its scarecrows on the map this year."

The Stratford Scarecrow Trail: Friday, October 27 - Sunday, November 5.

Registration forms can be obtained by visiting the Stratford District Council website or by contacting Samara Preston on 06 765 6099. Registrations close Friday, October 13.

There are five categories for scarecrows: Pre-School, Primary, High School, Business, and Open.

Scarecrow Workshop: War Memorial Hall, Monday, October 2, 1pm - 4pm.

Some items will be provided, but please bring anything you can, including plastic bags, stakes, bamboo sticks, wool, buttons, fabric, old clothing, paint and anything else a scarecrow might need.