The response to all things scarecrow after a two-year hiatus due to Covid has been heart-warming, according to Meaford Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival Event Chair Donna Earl.
“The energy and enthusiasm have been overwhelming, from the turnout for the parade, to the crowds on the streets, and the residents’ participation in the apple pie, colouring, business, trivia, and quilt competitions. There has been so much support for our efforts,” she said. “There were volunteers lined up to sign in for our building workshops that started in May. There was no shortage of volunteers to help our new committee chairs Katharine Peat, Sherman Wood, and JD Moffat to learn the ropes and organize the apple pie and business competitions and a great parade. We are particularly grateful to Donnalee Hobson for her fresh additions to the event. Donnalee invited local crafters to design nine-inch squares that have been combined into a scarecrow quilt. She put out a call for two local residents to be the event’s official scarecrow ambassadors. And she and her husband, John, challenged us with a scarecrow trivia quiz.”
The event chair also offered congratulations to the many competition winners.
“Congratulations to the competition winners listed here. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Scarecrow, Val and Larry Crowe; to our sponsors and donors; to the executive, committee chairs and committee members, student helpers, and our loyal volunteers; to the kazoo band; and to everyone in the municipality too many to mention by name who helped to make the 25th anniversary celebrations a huge success,” she said.
Apple pie winners: 1st place traditional pie winner, Jennifer McLarty; 2nd place, Pamela Hawkins; 3rd place, Gail Murray. First place junior pie winner, Brae Robinson.
Business competition: best indoor display, Meaford Museum; best outdoor display, Home & Community Support Services of Grey and Bruce Day Away Program; best window display, Bespoke by Carol; best overall, Meaford Museum. Honorable mentions, outdoor display: Reg Noble’s Automotive, Stonekreek Feed & Farm Supply, and Richardson’s Tartan Shop. Honorable mentions, window display: Purrsonally Yours, Deans Carpet One Floor & Home, and Creative Country Girl.
Quilt square competition winners: Adult category popular vote: 1st place, Laura Sparling Wake Me Up Before You Go Go; 2nd place, Christine Goldsmith Bognor Bounty; 3rd place, Nita Irwin Apple Harvest; 4th place, Sue Singleton Maples in Autumn. Honorable mentions: Susan Witton Join the Scarecrow Kazoo Band; Marjorie Miller Meaford Scarecrow; Ruth Gole Pumpkin Square; Sylvia Brassington Wait for Me. Child category popular vote: 1st place, Ally Pink I’m Falling for Meaford Apples; 2nd place, Vienna Allin Boy Scarecrow with Bird on Shoulder.
Trivia contest: 1st place, Fred Kennedy; 2nd place,Tom Scott; 3rd place, Laura Fulford, Marg Phillips, Kelly Playter, D’Arcy Playter, Lori Bumstead, and Helen Scott.
Colouring contest: Grade 5/6: 1st, Grace Holari; 2nd, Michelle Kaminski; 3rd, Patricia Rimbao. Grade 3/4: 1st, Nicholas Traynor; 2nd, Arya Gonzalez; 3rd, Avery McPhatter. Grade 1/2: 1st, Madeline Armstrong; 2nd, Isla Casey; 3rd, Lily Pohl. JK/SK: 1st, Cruz Doherty; 2nd, Brynlee Gilchrist; 3rd, Camryn Porter-Gowan.
