28 • The Beacon October 21 , 2021

By Josie Sellers

Over the past couple of weeks , scarecrows have been popping up all over Coshocton as part of an annual event organized by Clary Gardens .

Businesses , organizations and residents are all encouraged to use their creative skills to make a scarecrow , which they can register at www . scarecrowtown . com and enter in the traditional , pop culture or creepy categories .

“ We have 50 right now ,” said Jandi Adams , director of Clary Gardens . “ Last year we were closer to 100 , but we still have a couple more ; we are waiting on photos . It isn ’ t as big , but we have some really good ones . We are impressed and happy that people are having fun . More than half of our entries this year are brand new to doing it too .”

In addition to the scarecrows in the city , there are 10 at Clary Gardens spread out along the walking trail . While checking them out , people can participate in the

scarecrow-themed story walk before it is changed to the winter theme at the end of October .

A few years ago , the scarecrow contest started including the county , and several can once again be seen outside of the city limits .

“ Keene is our breakthrough community ,” Adams said . “ They have seven scarecrows at the school , plus a big scene at Keene United Methodist Church . They are really cool . Mrs . Raber ’ s Pete the Cat is leading in pop culture .”

People still have time to get their scarecrows up and entered in the contest if they would like . The cost is $ 10 for residential , $ 15 for nonprofit and $ 25 for business .

Once your scarecrow is registered , people can visit www . scarecrowtown . com to view a map of all the entries and vote for their favorite ones .

A winner will be picked in each category , and there will be a People ’ s Choice . While online voting is important , judges from outside the county help determine the final winners .

“ They look at originality and creativity , craftsmanship and presentation , principal of design , and overall look ,” Adams said . “ It ’ s really hard to pick . The top 10 can be a fraction of a point away from each other . It ’ s the bonus points for the judges that give us the winners .”

Voting will end Friday , Oct . 29 . Prizes will be awarded during the Coshocton County Fatherhood Initiative ’ s Fall Fatherhood Festival , scheduled Saturday , Oct . 30 from 2-5 p . m . at Clary Gardens . Dads and father figures are encouraged to bring their family out for an afternoon of fun and activities . There will be pumpkin painting , coloring and decorating , a rock hunt with door prizes , food , music , trick-or-treat candy , costumes , scarecrows , and job employment and child support information .

“ It ’ s shaping up to be a fun event for family and friends ,” Adams said . “ It ’ s all absolutely free , and we are excited to get people out to the gardens .”

VOTE FOR ROBERT LEIST

www . LeistForCoshocton . com

Paid for by Friends of Robert Leist

COUNCIL AT-LARGE

• Lifelong citizen of Coshocton

• Family Oriented

• Employed at Kraft Heinz 32 years

• Relatable and Accessible

• Advocate for government transparency

• Coshocton Board of Zoning Appeals member

• Coshocton County Bike Path Committee member

• Former State Representative Candidate

• Former State Central Committee Member

• Former State and National Delegate

These experiences have prepared me to help lead Coshocton into a new age . In that spirit , I have assembled an Advisory Board to assist me in improving Coshocton . I am honored to have them by my side in displaying how a community can come together to facilitate positive change . Will you join us ?

I am asking for 1 of your 3 Coshocton City Council At-Large votes , on November 2nd .

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