Somers Scarecrow Festival Coming Soon, But Candy, Help Still Needed

SOMERS, CT — It's time again for the annual Somers Scarecrow Festival.

A late appeal for candy donations has gone out as well as for volunteers.

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It is slated for the Four Town Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Proceeds are donated to a local charities, particularly local youth programs and the new teen center.

Various contests will include different categories of scarecrows, pumpkin carving, and a haunted barn.

Kids games, face painting, music and a magician will be featured. A dog rescue center will be on hand to offer adoption opportunities.

A highlight of the game area is "Genevieve's Sweet Shot," conducted in memory of Somers High School student Genevieve Neiman.

It's a version of the popular carnival dime toss game — Genevieve's favorite — in which players landing their coins completely within a spot win a Geissler's cake. Residents wishing to contribute cakes may do so by visiting Geissler's. The supermarket staff delivers the cakes to the fairgrounds the morning of the event.

Sweet Shot proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund established in Genevieve's name.

A craft fair will be included as part of the festival, and food trucks will be on hand.

A raffle with some good prizes will be on tap. Raffle prizes are still being accepted.

The scarecrow contest will award prizes in several categories and competition is open to anyone wishing to participate, not just Somers residents.

The rules for entry are:

1. No store-bought scarecrows.
2. No political or activism scarecrows.
3. Scarecrows must be able to fit in a 6-foot-by-6-foot area assembled.
4. Entries deemed offensive, political, not family friendly, or not in the good-natured spirit of the event will be removed.
5. Votes will be cast in person during the event.
6. All scarecrows must be brought to the fairgrounds the day before between 3 and 8 p.m. and removed by the end of the festival.
7. Entrants are responsible for setup, and must ensure their scarecrow can withstand the elements.

Similarly, the pumpkin carving contest is open to the public, and will be judged in various categories. The rules:

1. No artificial pumpkins.
2. No painted pumpkins; carved pumpkins only.
3. No political or activism pumpkins.
4. Entries deemed offensive, political, not family friendly, or not in the good-natured spirit of the event will be removed.
5. Votes will be cast in person on Oct. 19 during the event.
6. All pumpkins must be brought to the fairgrounds the day before between 3 and 8 p.m. and removed by the end of the festival.

Children are free and there is a suggested donation of $3 for adults. The admission donations will also be donated to charitable causes.

Volunteers — adults and students — are still needed to help. Students who help will qualify for community service hours. Anyone interested may email scarecrowfestivalsomers@gmail.com.