The cooler weather and brilliant colors of fall blanketing the Laurel Highlands once again welcomes the annual Scarecrow Festival at Georgian Place. Scheduled for Saturday, September 17 from 10AM to 6PM, the event, held rain or shine, comes to life through the collective efforts of the various merchants of Georgian Place, Laurel Arts and the Somerset County Farmers’ Market vendors. Admission and parking are free of charge.
Visitors of all ages will enjoy the popular Scarecrow Contest, the heart of the festival. Strolling through the courtyard, festival guests can take in nearly 50 handcrafted scarecrows on display and competing for over $1500 in cash prizes in three categories: 1. Business (open to all for-profit organizations); 2. Non-Profit (including youth groups, schools, churches, etc.); 3. Individual and/or Family. In addition, visitors are encouraged to cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award throughout the day. Winning entries will be announced near the end of the Festival, though all scarecrows will be on display through Saturday, October 2. Groups interested in entering a scarecrow may obtain an entry form and details by calling 814-443-3818. Entry forms due by September 5.
A full schedule of family fun, guests can expect to be delighted throughout the day with festivities including a scarecrow making workshop, pumpkin painting, wandering live scarecrows, a quilt show and sale, a petting zoo, live entertainment and the opportunity to design your own carved gourd. Visitors may also indulge their taste buds in the flavors of the season at one of the onsite food vendors. Another new feature for 2011 includes the addition of crafters demonstrating and selling their wares throughout the festival. Also new to the festival this year, guests may pose for a memorable photo with a giant 200 pound pumpkin!
The scarecrow making workshop, hosted by Laurel Arts staff and volunteers, teaches participants how to create a unique, life-size scarecrow to take home just in time for the autumn season. All scarecrow building materials are included at a nominal fee, with proceeds to benefit Laurel Arts. No reservations are needed for this first-come, first-served activity. Laurel Arts, a local non-profit organization, works to foster the visual and performing arts in Somerset County.
Pumpkin painting will take place on the courtyard from 11AM until supplies run out. Brushes, paint and pumpkins, locally grown by vendors of the Somerset County Farmers’ Market, will be provided free of charge for children 12 and under. The Farmers’ Market will also be open during the festival between 9AM and 1PM, where you’ll find quality, farm fresh goods at reasonable prices, including beef, pork and lamb, vegetables and fruit, plants, honey and maple products and baked goods.
Meadowbrooke Gourds, specializing in raising, drying and crafting gourds for all seasons at their farm in Carlisle, PA, will be joining the festivities for the first time this year. Visitors will have a chance to select a dried gourd of their choice and then come up with a one-of-a-kind design, limited only by imagination. Meadowbrooke’s very best craftsmen will be on hand to carve the design into the gourd. All ages and levels of artistic skill are encouraged to try this activity! Gourd prices range from $5 and up.
The 2011 Scarecrow Festival is co-sponsored by Somerset Trust Company and Georgian Place. For more information or a complete schedule of the day’s events, call 814-443-3818. Check out the 2011 Scarecrow Festival at Georgian Place fan page on Facebook for regular updates and news about the event.
Currently seeking vendors—crafts, pottery, jewelry, folk art, metal & wood, florals, textiles, food and more. Please call 814-233-9959 or 814-701-2064 for details and to reserve a space.
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