Somers Scarecrow Festival A Big Hit With Fun Seekers [PHOTOS]

SOMERS, CT — The Halloween season got off to a roaring start at the Four Town Fairgrounds Saturday, as a small but tireless group of volunteers put on the second annual Somers Scarecrow Festival. The event featured much more than just scary creations, as a car show, craft vendors, food trucks, a pumpkin carving contest, games, Star Wars characters, Jurassic Park jeep rides and live music were all part of the family fun.

Hundreds of visitors headed to the fairgrounds for the event, which was spearheaded by former UConn basketball great Kara Wolters, Somers High School parent Cynthia Mike and Joe Lipton of Joanna's Restaurant.

"I can’t thank everyone enough for making the Scarecrow Festival a huge success," Wolters wrote on Facebook. "Without your generosity of donations, raffle baskets, candy and volunteers, this never could have happened."

All proceeds from a huge raffle and kids area tickets were donated to Somers Social Services Adopt a Family Christmas Program. In addition, a special Sweet Shot game, in which players try to land a dime completely inside colored circles, was conducted to benefit a scholarship fund named in memory of Genevieve Neiman, a Somers High School student who died in August at age 15 of complications from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Meredith Neiman, Genevieve's mother, wrote, "Genevieve’s Sweet Shot was a perfect way to honor my girl. She would have loved to play it and win one of those amazing cakes! I am so proud of the Somers people who put on and those who supported this event. It was a beautiful day!"

"The Somers community really came together for two great causes: Social Services and Genevieve’s scholarship fund," Wolters wrote.

Mario Ferrentino, owner of Mario's Pizzeria & Ristorante, wrote, "We hope everyone had as much fun as we did. Such a great turnout, and we can’t wait to do it again next year."

A total of 307 ballots were cast for the scarecrow contest. Category winners were:

• Group: Daisy Troop 65032
• Best 10 and Under: Lucy Scavotto
• Scariest: Girl Scout Troops 65076 and 65150
• Movie: Drinan Sisters
• Business: Let's Get Wired

To register for free Ellington and Somers news alerts and more, click here.