16th Annual Festival of Scarecrows in Arvada October 13, 2012

AUTUMN FUN AWAITS
16th Annual Festival of Scarecrows
 
ARVADA, CO – Last year more than 2,500 people joined in the fun by celebrating the Festival of Scarecrows. We hope you’ll join us for this FREE, family-friendly event on Saturday, October 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Olde Town Arvada. The Arvada Festivals Commission from the City of Arvada and its community partners, Arvada Community Gardeners and Historic Olde Town Arvada, produce the event.
 
This year features three fun contests to highlight participants’ creativity and skill. The first is the Scarecrow Contest, where entries will be on display throughout Olde Town. We want you to wander through Olde Town and cast your vote for your favorites between 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Prizes will be given in several categories. Businesses, individuals, schools or organizations can enter a decorated scarecrow into the contest with a $10 entry fee and completed application which can be easily found at www.arvadafestivals.com.
 
A new contest this year is the Decorated Pumpkin Contest. Groups, businesses and individual contestants can add personality and flair with arms, legs, hair, a painted face and other features for a chance to win prizes in several categories. Enter your work-of-art decorated pumpkin between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
 
Finally, dedicated gardeners can bring in their largest pumpkins for the Giant Pumpkin Contest. Past winners that have exceeded 200 pounds! Weigh-in begins at 1:30 p.m. Arvada Gardeners, who present the weigh-in each year, will also have gourds and corn stalks on sale to help celebrate and decorate for holiday festivities.
 
In addition to contests, there will be a climbing tower, free hayrides around Olde Town, music provided by a DJ and over 30 community and food booths. Pumpkins are also available for purchase in Olde Town Square’s Pumpkin Patch with proceeds benefitting the Arvada Community Food Bank.
 
Kids Fun Zone
Parents be sure to bring your kids in costume, so they can take part in the Costumed Kids Parade, which kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Brewster the Giant Green Dinosaur will lead little ghosts and goblins through Olde Town Square. Each participant receives a goodie bag!
 
Even the youngest kids can get in the action by wandering through a “corn” stalk maze. Admission is free and canned food donations for the Arvada Community Food Bank are welcomed.
 
Additional children activities will include:
• Face painting
• Balloon tying
• Story Telling from Arvada Library
• Fire Truck tours from Arvada Fire Protection District
• Fuzzy alpacas
• Bouncy castle
• Craft projects and games.
 
For more information about the festival and for vendor and contest applications, visit www.arvadafestivals.com.
Arvada Festivals Commission annual sponsors are 1st Bank of Arvada, ALine Ride Provide, Alphagraphics, Arvada Press, Arvada Rent-Alls, D & K Jewelers, Goddard School, Jakes Toy Box, Personal Benefit Services, Scrumptious, Sooper Credit Union, Sportline Team Sports
 
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About Arvada
Founded in 1870, the City of Arvada is a beautiful western suburb of Denver, Colorado. Even with an estimated population of 107,700, Arvada retains a small-town feel while featuring a diverse economic base, highly educated workforce, and low crime rate. The City most recently was named one of the “2012 Top Workplaces” by the Denver Post. Visit: www.arvada.org or stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.