Ottawa Scarecrow Festival

10/05/2025

These fine folks(and additional kid competitors not pictured!) put it all out there yesterday for the Community Food Basket of Ottawa and helped raise $145 just by eating a piece of pie!! And we most definitely have the video that captures the moment where Evelyn realized her tooth fell out. Thank you to 103.9 WLPO, Mark Lippert, and Brandon LaChance for joining us for the fun. If you would like to make a donation to the Community Food Basket of Ottawa, you can visit www.ottawafoodbasket.org and do it directly on their website. Monetary donations are so vital for what they need on a daily basis. Thank you again, everyone!

10/05/2025

And the People's Choice goes to.......

Illinois Valley Vixens Short Track Roller Derby with their Forrest Bump! Great job, ladies--congrats! The People's Choice vote was SUPER close--3 different scarecrows were neck and neck.

Congrats again to all of our winners!

10/05/2025

Even more scarecrows from today! Who doesn't love Miss Frizzle?

10/04/2025

Alright! Here is the first photo drop! The first 4 photos are our winners--our People's Choice will be announced a bit later. Enjoy!

10/04/2025

So many great scarecrows were in town today! Our judges made their final selections and here are our winners (People's Choice will be announced after voting ends!):

1st Place Family/Individuals: Eric Hylin

Nonprofit 1st Place: Reddick Library

1st Place Business: Paquette Photography
2nd Place Business: Rivers Roots
3rd Place Business Midland States Bank

1st Place Schools/Education: R.O.E 35
2nd Place Schools/Education: Jefferson Elementary
3rd Place School/Education: Menta LaSalle School

Congrats to everyone! We will be in touch with your prizes!

10/03/2025

You can pick up a copy of the Scarecrow Competition map and go take a look at all of the submissions when you visit us tomorrow! We will have maps available at the booth near the Kid Zone (the HumanKIND booth).

Once you find your favorite, come back and vote for People's Choice! You will be entered into a raffle when you place your vote.

See you tomorrow!

10/03/2025

Save time to stop by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 during Ottawa Scarecrow Festival --they are right across from Washington Park and are going to be outside with live music, food, and friendly faces! Help them celebrate Fall and raise money for the Honor Flight. Also, stop by the American Legion tent by the fountain in Washington Park and learn about what the Legion has to offer all ages of Veterans.

10/03/2025

If you want to participate in the pet costume contest on Saturday, bring your fur baby (or scaly/feathered...baby?) to Washington Park by the Fountain at 11:45am so we can get you registered to compete! The costume parade and judging will begin around noon, when everyone is lined up and ready to go!

10/03/2025

Don't worry if you didn't sign up ahead of time--you can stroll right up to the table in Jordan Block and sign up on the spot!
Kids rounds start first at 11am:
--Ages 5-8
--Ages 9-13
--Teens Ages 14-17
--Adults 18+

If you want to sign up for the final relay race (adults only), you must have a team of 5!

$10 per adult, $5 per child/teen. Prizes to win! Pie slices are locally made chocolate (by Mary Domoleczny).

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO Community Food Basket of Ottawa! So get over to that table before 11am on Saturday and eat a piece of pie for a good cause!

10/03/2025

The Vest Dance Troupe will be performing for a full hour, kicking Ottawa Scarecrow Festival off at 10am on the Jordan Block stage! This is a great performance for the entire family so make sure you catch some of this show.

Come to the Jordan Block and watch the amazing Vest Dance Troupe as they bring their German Dance skills to the stage at 10am! These kids are going to kick off the day for entertainment and bring a taste of the season to Downtown Ottawa--you won't want to miss it!

10am-11am on the Jordan Block stage!