Scarecrow Fest returns to Fairgrounds on Saturday

Medina Lions organizes event which featured 212 scarecrows last year

Photo by Tom Rivers: Shea Hill of Albion and her granddaughter Lily, 4, work on a scarecrow at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds during last year’s Scarecrow Festival.

MEDINA – The annual Scarecrow Festival sponsored by Medina Lions is scheduled for Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to Jim Hancock, who chairs the Scarecrow Festival with Jason Cogovan.

The Scarecrow Festival, which has been a major fundraiser for Medina Lions for more than 15 years, involves a lot of people and a lot of planning. Prior to the event, Lions Club members visit the MAAC Thrift Shop and acquire a huge supply of clothing, including dresses, pants, shirts, blouses, neckties, hats and belts.

T-posts for scarecrow bodies were made and donated by Barden Homes, and Jen Scott’s art class at Medina High School painted 180 faces for cloth heads. Straw for the scarecrows’ bodies was donated by Ed Neal of Albion and Dunham Farms of Knowlesville. Last year, a record 212 youngsters made scarecrows to take home.

The day of the event, youngsters choose a post, face and clothing, and after stuffing their scarecrow, they take it to the “surgeons” who sew it together.

The cost to build a scarecrow is $12, and arrangements have been made this year by the Lions to accept credit cards.

Hancock said the event attracts not only children who build a scarecrow, but their parents, grandparents and friends, who love to watch the activity.

“Everybody loves it,” he said.

As an added attraction this year, the Master Gardeners are having a “Pumpkinpalooza” event, with pumpkin decorating and pumpkin-themed activities.

 Also, the 4-H rabbit youth will have some rabbits at the Scarecrow Festival.

“Kids love to pet rabbits,” Hancock said.

Food will be available to purchase, including hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chips and soft drinks.

“The Scarecrow Festival is a lot of work, but it’s worth it when you see the joy on kids’ faces,” Hancock said. “All the money we raise goes back into the community. The Lions give $10,000 to $12,000 annually to charities, such as Seeing Eye Dogs and School for the Blind in Batavia.”