Delavan’s annual autumn celebration returns Saturday
By Tracy Ouellette
Delavan’s Scarecrow Fest returns to the historic downtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14.
The community-wide, family-oriented event features scarecrows and free activities throughout the downtown area.
For the first time, festival organizers will be closing off Walworth Avenue in downtown Delavan for the event.
“The street will be closed to traffic and become a pedestrian-only walkway,” Visit Delavan Executive Director Kathleen Seeberg said. “People will be able to move freely between the food trucks, vendors and activities during the festival.”
Things to do during the festival include pumpkin decorating, face painting, hayride mural tours, build-a-scarecrow and a petting zoo at the Aram Public Library. The event will also have food trucks, local vendors and live entertainment.
“What a fantastic way to celebrate fall; it’s iconic to build a scarecrow and we’ll provide all the necessary pieces,” Seeberg said.
Another highlight of the festival will be the wagon-drawn mural tours.
“You can ride in the wagon and get a guided tour of the Walldog Murals,” Seeberg said.
Among entertainment, the Phoenix Park Bandshell will present Mike Stone and The Rockers along with Laser Fusion, which will put on a laser light show. Activities at the band shell run from 7 to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit www.phoenixparkbandshell.com.
On parade
During the month of September, there will be “Scarecrows on Parade” all over the downtown area. All scarecrows will be tagged and ballots will be printed for the public to vote for their favorites to decide the winning scarecrow. Prizes will be awarded to the scarecrow artists who receive the most votes.
Enter the raffle
In order to help keep the event free, the Scarecrow Fest Committee will have a duck raffle to raise funds. Raffle tickets are $2 or three for $5 and available for purchase at the event and at participating Delavan businesses.
Prizes for the duck raffle are $200 for first place, $100 for second place, $50 for third place as well as other prizes from local businesses. All proceeds benefit Scarecrow Fest.
For more information about Scarecrow Fest, go to www.visitdelavan.com.
About the downtown
Historic downtown Delavan is a vibrant historic downtown shopping district, home to many casual restaurants, antique shops and specialty shops.
Visitors can enjoy Delavan’s local businesses, charming brick paved downtown, hanging flower baskets and American flags.
For more information, go to www.visitdelavan.com.
