Get ready for Scarecrows

By Lindsey Wooten – The Downtown Wayne Scarecrow show will return this year. The event is presented by Wayne Main Street (formerly known as Wayne Ripple Effect).

How it Works:
For $20, each group or individual will design and build a scarecrow using a pre-made frame and lots of imagination. Be creative! Your scarecrow can reflect your mission, your organization, your business, or your family’s imagination and artistic talents.
Last year’s participants who would like to re-enter their scarecrow or reuse their frame are welcome to do so. Repurposing last year’s frame is encouraged and will result in a reduced entry fee of $15. This will ensure a reserved lamppost, a newly created placard, and entry into the Best in Show Contest. Returning Scarecrow creators will still need to complete a 2014 entry form.
Each scarecrow will wear a placard stating the organization or family name while on display on Michigan Avenue westbound and Wayne Road between Glenwood and Michigan Avenue. Scarecrows will be removed and disposed of by volunteers. Please remove your scarecrow yourself by 9 a.m. on November 1st if you wish to keep it.

Contest & Reception:
Wayne Main Street will host a Contest and Reception at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 15th in Goudy Park.  Please help us welcome the Scarecrows to our community by picking up a ballot at the park and then taking a self-paced walking tour through our downtown. After you’ve viewed all of the entries, rejoin us at our Downtown Reception to cast your vote for “Best in Show” while enjoying a toasty bonfire, with complimentary marshmallows, cider, & donuts.
The winning Scarecrow will be featured on next year’s registration form and its creators will be awarded a trophy and bragging rights!

Important Dates:
Sign-Up Deadline:
September 24th

Drop-Off Time:
September 27th 8:00 – 10:00 AM at State Wayne Theater

Pick-Up Time if you wish to keep your scarecrow after event:
November 1st before 9:00 AM

Benefits:
Highlight Downtown
Events such as the Downtown Wayne Scarecrow Show help to highlight Downtown Wayne as an exciting, and fun place to visit, live, work, and play. This event brings the community together and contributes to the revitalization of downtown. If also provides an opportunity to get outside and engage in a family friendly activity.

Team Building
Your employees/volunteers/students/family will have fun working together to create their unique scarecrow! Your children will enjoy engaging in a family project and will recall the experience for years to come.

Foot Traffic
Downtown businesses will have the potential to get hundreds of extra visitors walking and riding downtown during the month of October.

Frame Pick-Up:
You may pick up your pre-made frame from the Wayne Farmer’s Market Main Street tent from 3-7 p.m. each Wednesday until September 27.
If you are unable to pick up your scarecrow frame on the dates noted above, please contact us at the number below to make alternate arrangements.
For more information, call (734) 629-6822 or visit www.downtownwayne.org.