GLOCESTER – The Glocester Scarecrow Festival is alive and well – and growing.
“Every year it grows a little more,” said coordinator Lew Pryeor. “I think having people dressing up as scarecrows this year, that’s going to bring even more people.
So far, 50 people have already signed up to offer up their scarecrow entry, but Pryeor said they expect a lot more, based on last year’s turnout.
“It looks good,” he said. “Sign-ups and organization are going smoothly. Everybody loves this.”
One new addition is the opportunity to come dressed as a scarecrow for the event. Part of that was inspired by Pryeor’s grandson, who came dressed as a chicken last year.
“Everybody wanted their picture taken with him,” recalled Pryeor.
The event, the brainchild of Mark Rechter who founded the festival, has grown since its inception in 2017. Rechter, traveling through a small New York rural town one October, encountered scarecrows tied to lampposts.
“I just thought, ‘we have lampposts,'” he recalled. “‘It would translate well here.'”
He brought it to the attention of the Chepachet Grange #38 and Chepachet Library.
“They thought it was a good idea,” he said. “They got together, and they decided to sponsor it. It was very difficult to get people to visualize it. I told them it was basically for families to get together with their kids… spend time together.”
Rechter explained that the event is not unique to New England or even the U.S. Many countries in Europe hold similar events with scarecrows involved. Some of them charge a great deal for entry fees, but, he explained, no one wanted that to be the case in Glocester. They wanted it affordable, community oriented and fun. And so, they charged $5 for an entry fee to help fund the event. The first year brought out 40 scarecrows.
“We talked amongst ourselves, and we thought, ‘give it three years,'” recalls Rechter. “If it doesn’t prove successful, that was it. We gave it a chance, and that was it.”
Although a limited number of food trucks and vendors are always available at the pavilion, what organizers didn’t – and still don’t – try to do was make it into a vendor event.
“We weren’t looking for that,” Rechter said. “I insisted that it never be bigger than the pavilion area. I didn’t want it to be like the Scituate Arts Festival.”
A couple of years ago, Rechter noted, the festival was billed as one of the top five events in the state in October by RI Monthly Magazine.
One of the biggest challenges over the years has been getting volunteers.
“It has been difficult,” said Rechter. “Like anything else in organizations, it’s difficult getting volunteers. There’s a good core of volunteers, but you always need those extras.”
When the Grange backed out, the Friendship Lodge #7 offered to take over and handle the event, which they now have.
“It’s going to continue on,” said Pryeor.
The town benefits from visitors who arrive and not only check out the festival, but local shops and restaurants as well.
“People say it is economic development,” said Rechter. “That wasn’t the point of it. But if it is, so be it.”
He added that police, ads and others have to be paid for from monetary donations and grants, including a $1,500 grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. Many donations come from individual residents and organizations. In the future, he said, it would be great if the town came up with some funds to help out, even if it is a line item of $1,000. Rechter noted that members always praise the event, but do not provide funds, per se.
“We always get supported by the town,” said Rechter.
Rechter, who has relinquished his original leadership role because of personal reasons, said he still intends to help out more in the future, as time allows.
“For the town, I really want it to continue,” he said.
The scarecrows continue to improve in quality and imagination, offering a panorama of possibilities and inviting local artists to show their talents. Some are outlandish, some are sarcastic, some beautiful, some scary, some whatever, but all are delightful in their own way. Some scarecrows have even been sold after the festival is over. One, Rechter recalled, sold for $400.
“I don’t remember who made it, but it was in front of the library,” said Rechter. “It was unbelievable. There have been others over the years which have been sold. There have been some amazing creations.”
People come from all over New England to see the festival, he noted.
“We created something,” said Rechter. “People know Chepachet now because of the scarecrow festival. I hope it is never lost.”
“I gotta say, it’s a lot of work,” said Pryeor. “I was exhausted after last year’s, but after you see the effect in the kids’ faces and the adults just as much, it’s great to do it.”
Rules for the event include a requirement that scarecrows are taken down two weeks after the event, on or before Nov. 3. Participants must maintain their scarecrows, and if the creative displays fall into a state of disrepair and are not repaired, they are removed.
The last day for businesses, organizations and individuals to register a scarecrow in person is Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Friendship Lodge at 1167 Putnam Pike. Registered participants will receive a number for judging and the location to place the scarecrow.
The festival itself takes place on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and visitors will continue to flock to Glocester in the weeks that follow to view the submissions.
To register a scarecrow or donate to the event, go to www.glocesterscarecrowfestival.com.
The Southern New England Witch Dancers are soo excited to be part of this event every year! We ❤️ Chepatchet and will be performing at 1pm, 3pm, & 5pm !