Stamford Rotary Scarecrow Festival Bigger, Better - Get Creative With Your Scarecrow

STAMFORD – It continues to grow each year as members of the Stamford Rotary Club and the rest of the community are gearing up for all things “scarecrowy" and "harvesty". The annual Stamford Rotary Club Scarecrow Festival is set for Sunday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at picturesque Rexmere Park. This year there are 80 vendors on tap, along with live entertainment, activities for the kids and six food trucks. There is ample parking and admission and parking are free.

Krystal Lee, known as the "Country Sweetheart" will kick things off from 11 a.m. until noon. The Too Old to Plow Boys perform from 1-2 p.m. and the Small Town Big Band will perform in between. The Happy Haggs Dance Troupe and a martial arts demo are also in the entertainment lineup.

Rockland Cider and Union Grove Distillery will be on the grounds offering tastings. There will be homemade baked goods, handmade crafts, scents, clothing, fudge, maple products, cosmetics, jewelry, holiday gifts and crafts, the  local Boy Scouts, farm produce, meats and poultry, pottery, flowers, baby gifts, wood crafts and more. It's an excellent stop to do some gift shopping, browse what the region has to offer and enjoy the community. There really is something for everyone.

The six food trucks will provide traditional fare, from burgers and hotdogs, to sausage sandwiches and BBQ.

"We are so thankful to have many people involved," said Heidi Pickett, president of the club. "Members of the Stamford Rotary Club just want people to come out to Rexmere Park and enjoy the day in a beautiful spot." She invites you to bring your lawn chair and hang out. 

Papa's Little Train will be giving rides around the grounds for the kids, there will be pumpkin painting and bounce houses.

You are asked to get creative and Pickett is hoping there will be plenty of entries for the scarecrow contest. There will be  judges to decide on the winning scarecrows, with cash prizes awarded for first, second and third place best fitting the "family friendly" theme. She asks that the scarecrows be kept family friendly, and not gruesome or gory. Your scarecrow must be entered before 1 p.m. to be judged. 

The festival is all about scarecrows and local businesses are invited to create scarecrows at their businesses to add to scarecrows placed along Main St. by the  Stamford Village Improvement Association. It is people's choice votes, by submitting your vote online at the Stamford Rotary Scarecrow Festival Facebook page.You will also find out about the vendors and what they have to offer on the Facebook page. The public is asked to vote for their favorite and the winning business will have bragging rights. Those who vote online will have their names put into a hat and a winner will be pulled to receive $100 in local gift certificates. The cutoff for submitting your vote is Oct. 3.

Rexmere Park is located at 159 Main St., Stamford, on the site of the former Rexmere Hotel. With the fall colors well underway, it is promising to be a great day to enjoy this annual event.