Sedalia Main Streets Downtown Scarecrow Contest
Show off your creativity with a family-friendly scarecrow in Downtown Sedalia! This is a great way for businesses, organizations, or even families to help the community fall for our historic downtown district. Entry into the contest is free.
Register to participate using the form below. Prizes will be awarded in both a Judge’s Choice Category and a Social Media People’s Choice Category.
Scarecrows are due by Friday, September 20, 2024 at 4:00 pm. Scarecrows must be registered by September 20, 2024 to be entered into the judging. Scarecrows may be placed starting September 23, 2024. Please do not set up your scarecrow on September 27, 2024 as this is the day of Smith-Cotton High School’s Homecoming Parade downtown. Your scarecrow location will be sent via email when you register. The two winners of the Judges' Choice and Social media People's Choice Categories will each receive a gift basket. Winners will be announced on October 31, 2024.
2024 Scarecrow Decorating Contest Rules and Regulations
- One entry per family / team / association or business.
- Scarecrows must be family appropriate. Spooky might be ok, but not gruesome or gory (when in doubt, contact Sedalia Main Streets).
- Scarecrows must be handmade. No purchased scarecrows may enter the competition.
- As part of your display, be sure to make a sign with the name of your entry, and your name, group, business, or organization.
- Scarecrows must be registered, assembled and on display by September 30, 2024.
- Downtown business/property owners will be given consideration for streetlights near their business or they may decorate directly in front of their business or utilize their store windows. We ask that businesses please register so we know you want to be part of the contest.
- Not a downtown business owner? No worries, your scarecrow will be able to socialize with all the other scarecrows on our downtown streetlights.
- Scarecrows that denote any political affiliations or connections are not allowed.
- Voting and judging will be completed by October 28, 2024.
- Winners will be announced on October 31, 2024.
Scarecrow Timeline
- August 21: Scarecrow Contest announced and applications accepted.
- September 20: Deadline for applications. No late applications will be accepted after this date!
- September 23: Scarecrows may be placed. (Please do not decorate on September 27, 2024 as that is day of the Smith-Cotton Homecoming Parade downtown).
- September 30: Deadline for scarecrow placement. Voting for Social Media’s People’s Choice will begin.
- October 18: Voting and judging will be completed.
- October 31: Winners will be announced.
- November 8: Scarecrows should be removed.
Construction:
Scarecrows must be durable and able to withstand Missouri weather (sun, rain, wind, snow, etc.). Please choose your materials carefully. All decorations must be firmly attached to your scarecrow and then to the post. It is important that your scarecrow be secured in place; it must not cause danger or injury to anyone or anything.
Scarecrow builders are encouraged to check in with your scarecrow to make sure it's holding up ok. All entries must be hand-made. No electronics may be used in this scarecrow contest. Sedalia Main Streets and the City of Sedalia reserve the right to remove any entries that do not maintain their ability to be displayed.
The scarecrow contest exhibit is family friendly. The City of Sedalia reserves the right to disqualify entries they feel to be distasteful or not family friendly. Owners are held solely responsible for the safety and security of their scarecrows.
Judging Criteria
- Creativity: Judges will assess the individuality of the scarecrow. What makes your scarecrow stand out from the rest of the scarecrows? Did your scarecrow approach the competition with a completely new idea? *No purchased scarecrows will be allowed to be entered into the competition.
- Technique and Materials: Judging will be based on the variety of materials used and how well they are put together. Is your scarecrow made from scratch? Were you able to incorporate recycled materials? Is your scarecrow well constructed and how did it fare in Missouri weather?
- Overall Impression: Judges are looking for a scarecrow with that "wow" factor. It may be the materials used, the way the scarecrow has been made, how it is displayed or simply a fantastic idea.
Prizes will be awarded for the highest Judges' Choice score and for the Social Media People’s Choice Award.
If you have any questions or concerns please call (660) 851-7609 or email jcornine@sedalia.com. Applications will open August 21, 2024 and close September 20, 2024.
Scarecrow Contest Registration