Stevensville’s Scarecrows Rule the Road

It was almost cancelled, but the Parks and Rec Department of the Town of Stevensville took over the annual Stevensville Scarecrow Festival for 2020. There were fewer entries this year, due to all sorts of reason such as COVID-19, but the displays are in place along the walking path along the cutoff road between the north end of Stevensville and Highway 93. There were only two categories this year - kids' entries and all others. And, because of COVID-19, no big opening night festivities and no judging of the creations. But the scarecrows will be individually lit for evening viewing and they're separated a bit more to avoid clusters of people.

The usual spooky entries are there, along with humorous ones, including a "down-to-earth" entry that is searching for the truth. And the minions are in attendance again this year. Even the Colors of Cancer October campaign has a nice display (See a few more scarecrow photos below). Another feature at the end of the scarecrow line-up is a "walking book" display for families. They can stroll along, reading a story on individual posters. Such walk-and-read displays have been happening throughout the valley this year.

The scarecrow theme is finding a home in Hamilton, too. The Halloween Kids Parade was cancelled, due to the COVID-19 threat, but the Hamilton Downtown Association still wanted to get into the Halloween "spirit" with kids' trick or treating, yet be safe. So, from October 26 to Halloween, participating Hamilton Downtown Association businesses will have the "Parade of Scarecrows" along the sidewalks with bowls of individually wrapped candies for the kids. The kids can dress up and have the whole week to safely trick or treat, instead of the one big Halloween parade. The merchants are keeping the Halloween traditions alive, yet remaining as safe as possible.