One the area's favorite fall traditions, the Cedar Valley Arboretum’s annual Fall Harvest Festival was canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, organizers have announced an alternative I think everyone will enjoy.

The Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, 1927 East Orange Road, is hosting a fun and socially distanced family event, September 12th through October 31st. The "Scarecrow Stroll" will feature activities such as a scarecrow display, cash-prize scarecrow building contest, a market space with pumpkins, flowers and spring bulbs, apples, and more.

In a press release, Fall Harvest Festival Committee Chair Cindy Wells said:

“We recognize that people are looking for outdoor fun, especially with the health of their families in mind. We are fortunate to be able to meet that need by offering one of our most popular activities during the festival for a longer period of time and in a larger scale.” Spreading the event over two months, rather than just two days, allows more people to see the talent of our community and continue their support for local sellers in our market space.”

The scarecrow contest is open to the public and local businesses with no entry fee. Individuals, families and co-workers are urged to show off their creative skills. Cash prizes are up-for-grabs with $100 for 1st place, $50 for 2nd place and $25 for 3rd place. Entries will be accepted Aug. 29th through Sept. 11th with public voting taking place Sept. 12th – September 26th. Entries may be taken home after winners have been announced on September 28th or left at the Arboretum until the end of the display.

The market space will be open during their normal hours Monday through Saturday 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. The scarecrow display will be viewable on those same days and hours from September 12th through October 31st. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 5 to 17, with children 4 & under and Arboretum Members, attending for free. Credit or debit card payment is preferred at the market place or exact change.

For more information regarding the contest, entry forms and other activities offered during the event go to: CedarValleyArboretum.org/scarecrowstroll.

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