Amagansett Crowns First Scarecrow Contest Winners

Though Superstorm Sandy threw a bit of a curve ball at the first annual scarecrow contest in Amagansett late last month, the overall fall festivity appears to have been a success.

Inspired by Montauk Youth and Montauk Village Association's scarecrow contest, which just had its second annual contest, Diane Merritt, one of the PTA presidents, and Jennifer Brew, another local mother, decided to bring the fun to Amagansett Main Street.

The Amagansett School PTA, of which Brew is a member, supported the activity and about 40 children participated with their families, including some that attend other schools. Local merchants helped too; Vicki's Veggies in Amagansett provided burlap bags and straw to stuff the scarecrows, Amagansett Lumber supplied the wood frames, and Brown Harris Stevens, where Brew works, served as the locations where families could pick up the materials.

Main Street, from the firehouse to the Mobil station were adorned with scarecrows attached to poles, sitting on benches and up against storefronts. There was a scarecrow, with a pumpkin's head, wearing a wetsuit; a creepy baby scarecrow; and a Rastafarian. "We were really impressed with the entries," Brew said.

Brew said it was very successful for the first time, and she was happy to see it become a community event. There were even some "scarecrows" that popped up that weren't affiliated with the activity, but Brew said it was nice to see Main Street look so festive.

Amagansett School Superintendent Eleanor Tritt said the contest brought the community together. "The Scarecrows were a most wonderful addition to kick off the holiday season," she said. "The Scarecrow contest is certain to join our annual fall celebrations along with our PTA sponsored Thanksgiving Feast and School Turkey Trot. Many thanks to PTA members Jennifer and Kieran Brew, Diane and Phil Merritt and Jennifer Fowkes for their hard work and creative efforts!"

The hurricane and subsequent school closure during the week of Halloween ruined plans for an awards ceremony after the PTA's Halloween parade, but judging still took place and several winners were declared.

The "School Cooliest" award for the grade with the most participants went to the pre-kindergarten class. Townline BBQ in Sagaponack has donated a hot lunch for the class. They also earned an old vintage trophy, with the idea that it will be passed on from class to class each year. 

The Most Creative awards went to Quentin Bazar, a fifth grade student who made a Wounded Warrior Crow complete with a relative's uniform, and Lyla and Lucas Soder, of the second grade, who made a "Crowbot."

In the category of "Most Likely to Scare a Crow," Lua Li, a second grader, won for her witch crow, as well as a peacock crow, designed by first grader Liam Cashin and kindergartener Dylan Cashin.

Kate Ward, a sixth grade student, won the "Go Green Crow" award for the "Beach Clean Up Crow," which had a buoy as a head, and, according to Kate's mother Kristin Ward, was made almost entirely from litter collected at the beach.

The family walks their dogs on Old House Landing beach, near her parents house, and often bring bags to collect trash. "This time we decided to incorporate the trash into or onto our scarecrow, rather than taking to the recycling center," Kristin Welsch said. The only item they didn't find at the beach were the shorts — they belong to her husband — and the wood frame, burlap and straw that was apart of the kit everyone was given.

"But, the rest, regrettably, was beach trash," she said. "This particular Beach Combing expedition took about four trips, but to be honest, we found the bulk of our scarecrow the first time out, i.e the jumper cables, hat, flip flops , buoy, balloons, plastic jugs. Once we decided on our idea we fine tuned it with the facial feature items, shells, plastic and seaweed," she said. "Truly amazing what you can find when you really take notice."

Which scarecrow was your favorite? Did you participate? Tell us in the comments below.