GLOCESTER – A fun-filled day awaits those planning on making a trek to the annual Scarecrow Festival on Saturday, Oct. 16th in the quaint village of Chepachet. More than 100 scarecrows are expected to don lampposts, telephone poles, and buckets as individuals, businesses, and organizations display their creative talents.
In addition to the spooky and whimsical aesthetics, attendees will be treated to a wide array of entertainment. For children, Big Nazo, a performance group based in Providence that is known internationally, will be strolling Main Street from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The costumed troupe will be interacting and improvising with festival goers providing smiles, laughs, and memorable photo opportunities.
If you’re taking a little artist with you, head over to the Glocester Manton Library for some pumpkin painting. At the other end of the village, The Creative Room, located at 6 Money Hill Road, will host several fall crafts suitable for children of all ages. Afterwards, unwind at the pavilion while your child gets his or her face painted and visit the Glocester Scarecrow Marketplace, which highlights handmade items from local vendors and businesses.
Animal lovers will enjoy pony rides, provided by EnShanting Allie Stables, and a petting zoo that awaits at Chepachet Baptist Church.
Musical entertainment will be provided at the Chepachet Union Church grounds from noon to 5 p.m. At noon, Trade Secrets, a barbershop quartet, will perform followed by music by Mary Lee Partington & Ed Sweeney at 1:45 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., it will be the Old Time Fiddlers playing traditional fiddler tunes. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy the entertainment.
A wide variety of food choices will be available, with members of the Chepachet Grange serving dynamites at the Pavilion, and the Glocester Lions Club serving weiners. Clamcakes and chowder will be provided by the Chepachet Fire Department. and bagged lunches consisting of chicken salad sandwiches, chips, fruit cup, and water will be provided by the Chepachet Union Church. At least two food trucks are expected to be in attendance, Dinolicious and Barbara’s Quick Lunch.
A special silent auction will take place at Fine Cigars and Art Gallery at 1184 Putnam Pike. Douglas R. Lovett III, local artist and owner of the gallery, will be supporting the festival by painting an original piece to be auctioned off to art collectors. Lovett also owns the nearby Chepachet Art Gallery, at 1169 Putnam Pike.
The idea for the festival came about in 2016 when Chairperson and Glocester resident Mark Rechter and his wife Kathy were driving through a town in western New York. While traveling through Clarence Hollow, the couple admired the job townsfolk had done decorating lampposts with scarecrows.
Rechter says he and his wife thought it would be a good idea for their own town and the following year, a plan came fruition.
In 2017, the festival’s first year, 40 scarecrows were erected in the village. During its short time in existence, the event has grown in popularity, and that number has increased by leaps and bounds. Individuals, groups, and organizations eagerly display their creations for all to see, and there are also prizes. Scarecrows are categorized into groups, such as traditional and scary, and the top winners in each category receive $75.
The popular event is sponsored by the Chepachet Grange and the Glocester Libraries, along with donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations.
For those that can’t make the festival, scarecrows will be available for viewing and visiting up until Oct. 30. The festival is located right on Route 44 in the center of Chepachet – in an area that locals call this Main Street. Easily accessible by taking Route 295, festival is 9.5 miles out on Route 44. Street parking and parking lots are available.
Rechter notes that all events are subject to change due to weather, participation and time changes. For the latest updates, visit the festival website at www.glocesterscarecrowfestival.org.
