Entry/Display Signage

DVA will provide you with a sign to display with your scarecrow. Political statements are prohibited; however, business entries may contain advertising.

Damage

The Downtown Vidalia Association, nor its agents, will be held responsible for any damage to scarecrow entries.

Voting

Peoples' Choice will be voted on via QR code featured on the sign given to you by DVA. Voting will begin as soon as you set up your scarecrow display and will end at 7PM on Thursday, October 31. Peoples' Choice as well as Judges' Choice Awards will be announced Friday, November 1 via Facebook.

Disclaimer

The Downtown Vidalia Association, nor its agents, will be held responsible for any injury or damage associated with the 2024

Scarecrow Contest.

It is important to keep a watchful eye on your scarecrow during the month of October. It may need occasional repairs or sprucing up due to weather conditions. We want our downtown area to look nice and inviting throughout the entire month. If left unattended with subsequent damage noticed, you will be contacted. If not repaired within two days once contacted, your scarecrow becomes property of the Downtown Vidalia Association and will be removed.

NO items may be attached, tied onto or hung from trees, benches, or lampposts. NO stakes, spikes, or poles are to be driven into the ground in the downtown area. All structures must employ surface anchors such as sand buckets.

Limitations

Scarecrow sites will be 5' × 7' and cannot be taller than 10'. Exhibits may contain more than one scarecrow as long as they fit into the alloted space.

Scarecrows must not obstruct or impede pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

Scarecrows must be in good taste. They cannot be gruesome, bloody or scary and cannot reflect controversial, social or political situations.

We reserve the right to deny privileges of displays considered offensive or not family friendly. Business entries may contain advertising and only one entry per business is allowed.

Set-up and Removal

Set-up dates are Monday, September 30 through Friday, October 11. Please note voting begins as soon as your scarecrow is set up.

Scarecrows must remain on display during the entire event.

All scarecrows must be removed by Wednesday, November 6.

Scarecrows not removed by this date will become property of the Downtown Vidalia Association and will be removed and disposed.

You are responsible for all trash, trash bags and other items not usually found in your designated location. All trash and associated items must be removed in their entirety and the area should be left in a clean and orderly state. The local merchants' trash dumpsters or receptacles are not permitted for this use.

Construction of scarecrows

All entires must follow a theme chosen by the participant. Entry forms without a theme will NOT be accepted.

All scarecrows must be handmade. No commercial costumes, rubber masks, etc. are allowed. Scarecrows will be subject to all weather conditions; therefore, construction materials should be durable and all ornamentation securely attached. The use of living materials is allowed; however, decorations such as cut pumpkins may not last the duration of the exhibit so be mindful when constructing. You may use additional props such as hay bales, corn shucks, etc. as long as it stays within your designated area. If you use loose straw or hay, please remove as much as possible when removing your setup.