Scarecrow Fest coming to Goudy Park downtown

By Sarah Shurge – “We’re really looking forward to bringing the scarecrows back to the community,” said Lisa Kubany, Wayne Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Marketing and Events Director. “I know it’s a loved event and tradition in the City of Wayne.”
That’s right, scarecrows are returning to Wayne this fall!
Rachel Botu, owner of Flowers in the Mitten, is hosting her first event in Wayne with the Scarecrow Fest on Saturday, September 16th, from 11 a.m. through 6 p.m. at Goudy Park.
The event will have live music, face painting, a selfie station, crafts and games, food trucks, a petting farm, cider and donuts, fresh popcorn, vendors and crafters, henna tattoos, and a special performance by Allstar Patriots Dance and Gym. The event would not be complete without scarecrows displayed throughout the park.
“I always wanted to do some type of scarecrow festival since I opened the shop because my dad who passed away four years ago loved scarecrows,” said Botu. “I knew they [the City of Wayne] used to do scarecrows on the street, so this event was perfect for me.”
If you’d like to get involved in the scarecrow competition, you can contact Botu at Flowers in the Mitten by email at flowersinthemitten@gmail.com or call (734)992-8334. It costs $20 and you can pick up a scarecrow frame at the flower shop. Scarecrows are due by Friday, September 15th.
There will be first and second place prizes for Best Overall Scarecrow, along with first and second place prizes for Most Creative Scarecrow.
The event will have live music all day, 50 vendors and crafters, crafts and games, and food trucks from 11 a.m. through 6 p.m. From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. there will be character greetings with Vampire Mickey Mouse and Witch Minnie Mouse. From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. will be the petting farm and horse and pony rides. Finally, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. will be the scarecrow winner announcements and celebration.
“The DDA is extremely excited that this event is coming back to the city, not only to build on it but to make it bigger and better every year,” said Kubany. “Rachel has gotten out there, met the business owners, and put both her and her business out there for the community and I respect that
Botu soft-opened Flowers in the Mitten at its new location in Wayne on Wednesday, February 1st, 2023.
Flowers in the Mitten was designed as a one-stop shop with customized items. Botu provides both custom work and items you can buy in store as well.
You can purchase flower arrangements, stuffed animals for flower arrangements, angels and lanterns with LED candles, garden decor, sympathy stones, cement benches, standing stones on an easel, and more.
Botu’s husband, Paul, is a partner with the shop and does all the woodworking. You can order a custom sign for a wedding, wedding flowers, or custom pieces. The shop just needs a few days in advance to create them.
“I feel a lot more welcome here,” said Botu. “The city and businesses here are a lot more supportive to work with us and the walk-in traffic here is a huge improvement.”
Botu partnered with the Makers Market when she opened Flowers in the Mitten, because the Market was closing at the beginning of this year. This was so she (the tenant) could keep the makers inside her building.
Since then, Botu purchased and now owns the Makers Market as well. There are 30 different crafters inside the shop.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone come back together,” said Botu. “It’s so fun to see vendors that have become like family, seeing kids running through the park with a smile on their face. It’s not just a show, it’s more like one big family reunion.”
Flowers in the Mitten is located at 34852 W Michigan Ave in downtown Wayne. It’s open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. through 2 p.m.
For more information about Scarecrow Fest or Flowers in the Mitten, you can visit the website at flowersinthemitten.com, contact flowersinthemitten@gmail.com, or call (734)992-8334. You can also check out its Facebook page by searching “Flowers in the Mitten” for live videos, giveaways, and announcements.
Be sure to come out and enjoy scarecrows in downtown Wayne again!