Everything You Need to Know About the 2015 Scarecrow Fest

It’s that time of year again in St. Charles.

The 2015 Scarecrow Fest will kick off on Friday, Oct. 9, and continue through Sunday, Oct. 11. The heart and soul of the festival is the Scarecrow Contest, which boasts over 100 hand-crafted scarecrows on display in downtown St. Charles. Visitors view and vote for their favorite in each of five categories.

Other highlights include: live entertainment, a huge arts and crafts show, carnival, and petting zoo. A full run down of events and a map for the festival can be viewed here.

This year’s Scarecrow Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be park and shuttle lots available during this year’s festival. Here is a look at where those lots are located.

On the west side:

• Haines Middle School – 9th St. and Indiana St.
• CUSD #303 Administration Lot – 7th St. and Illinois St.
• Thompson Middle School – 7th St. and W. Main St.

On the east side:

• Charlestowne Mall, Parking lot “H” – 3800 E. Main St.

The following parking lot closures will be in effect on the days listed below:

• Municipal Parking Lot G: River Plaza Parking Lot – North 2nd St. and Cedar/State St., Wednesday-Sunday.
• Municipal Lot L: Old St. Charles Court Lot – North 3rd Street, Wednesday – Monday
• VFW Lot – North 3rd Street and Cedar Street, Wednesday - Monday
• Municipal Lot A: Checkerboard Lot – Riverside and E. Main Street. Saturday and Sunday only
• Municipal Parking Lot J: Municipal Center Parking Lot 100 Blk. N. Riverside Ave., Thursday-Sunday
• Municipal Parking Lot P: Riverside Av. north of State Av and adjacent to the Police Department, Thursday- Sunday
• North 3rd St. between Cedar St. and State St., Thursday-Sunday
• North 3rd St. between Main St. and Cedar St., Friday-Sunday
• North 4th St. between W. Main St. and Cedar St., Friday-Sunday
• North 5th St. between W. Main St. and Cedar St., Friday-Sunday

In addition, parking will be restricted and/or prohibited on a number of city streets. Motorists should expect delays and are reminded to use caution due to the increased amount of pedestrian traffic, police said.

For more information, visit the Scarecrow Fest website.