According to Thanksgiving Point, the Egyptians were the first group of people in recorded history to use scarecrows, to protect their wheat fields from hungry birds along the Nile River. There is also evidence of the Greeks carving pieces of wood to resemble Priapus, the god of fertility and horticulture, to bless crops and frighten birds. History suggests that Japanese farmers were making Kakashi, their own version of the scarecrow, around the same time to protect their rice fields. During medieval times, Britain passed on carvings and statues, and instead tasked young boys and girls to run through the fields to scare away birds. Eventually, farmers stuffed sacks with strwa and used painted gourds as heads. They leaned them against poles to make it look like they were standing.

In the US, chemicals and technology are used in fields to protect crops, but scarecrows live on in our front yards as fun Halloween decorations!

Families and friends of all ages are invited to come out to the Community Classroom on Friday, October 24th from 4-6PM for a scarecrow party! We will provide materials to help build, stuff, and decorate your scarecrow, and guests are encouraged to bring their own clothing from home to dress them up! Cost is $10 per scarecrow, pre-registration is preferred.

Registration link coming soon!