Scarecrow Contest at Cape May's Emlen Physick Estate

Create your own scarecrow for display alongside dozens of others along "Scarecrow Alley," when the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., are transformed for Halloween and become the setting for goofy goblins and spooky specters, from Fri., Oct. 5 through Sun., Nov. 4.

The 4th Annual Scarecrow Contest sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is underway, and it's time to rally friends, family, schoolmates and colleagues, or come up with your own idea, for creating a spooky, scary or just plain silly scarecrow. Register your entry and compete for prizes, with an overall prize of $200 earmarked for the People's Choice Award given to the creators of the scarecrow that receives the most votes from visitors to the Estate.

Scarecrows are entered in one of four categories: "Individuals or Families," "Businesses," "Non-profits, Church, Club, Scout Troops" or "School Class." MAC will have wooden cross stakes and straw available for all registrants, if needed, which can be picked up on the Estate from maintenance staff between Mon., Sept. 24 and Thu., Oct. 4. All entrants receive a 4-feet-by-4-feet area to decorate, and larger spaces are available upon request. Multiple scarecrows, whimsical characters and miscellaneous props may be displayed. Scarecrows may reflect a special theme or promote your organization or business.
Visitors to the Physick Estate will be asked to vote for their favorite scarecrow by filling out a ballot in the Carriage House from Fri., Oct. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 4. Friends and family members are encouraged to visit the Estate and vote for their favorites.

The deadline to register and drop off a scarecrow for entry in the contest is Thu., Oct. 4, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Winners will be notified Nov. 5. Prizes include a People's Choice Award of $200 for the scarecrow with the most votes, $100 in the individual/family category, a display ad on MAC's Web site in the business category, and a pizza party for the winning non-profit, community or scout group, and the winning school group.

Here are some tips and guidelines for making your scarecrow:
• Scarecrows must be constructed to withstand severe wind and rainy weather conditions.
• Use care in choosing your materials. All decorations must be firmly attached to your scarecrow/display.
• Use staple guns, fishing line or string to secure your scarecrow.
• We do not recommend using newspaper to stuff your scarecrow.
• Scarecrows must be in good taste; scarecrows or displays reflecting controversial, social, religious or political opinions or statements will not be accepted.

To register, or for more information about MAC's Scarecrow Contest, please contact Anna Marie Leeper at 609-884-5404 ext. 111 or aleeper@capemaymac.org or download an application form and rules from the Halloween page on MAC's website at www.capemaymac.org. Go to Halloween Happenings/Scarecrow Alley.