Ballots will be available at the Solvang Visitors Center and at select Solvang businesses, and will feature maps to direct voters to each of the contest’s scarecrows. In addition to the six category winners determined by public voting, a panel of anonymous judges will award a “Best Scarecrow” title to an overall City of Solvang winner, which will go on to compete for the “2014 Harvest Cup”. And in an effort to further enhance the community’s fall “spirit”, this year’s Solvang Scarecrow Fest will, for the first time, also be open to residential participants.
The Valley’s first Scarecrow Fest was held in Solvang, in 2010, initiated by the Solvang Third Wednesday committee led by Susan Williams and Sue Moualim. The original contest was created to drive business to each of the participating companies, storefronts, merchants and organizations, as well as to the town and the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley locales, in general.
In the contest’s first year, 60 Solvang businesses joined in the fun and by 2012, more than 100 businesses were participating in the annual contest – which received a count of 1,200+ public judging ballots. Past years’ Scarecrow Fests have received nationwide publicity, drawing increased visitor activity to the Santa Ynez Valley.
For more information on Solvang's Scarecrow Fest visit http://syvscarecrows.com/solvang/solvang-scarecrowfest/
Buellton Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is also sponsoring the second Buellton Scarecrow Fest. Maps pinpointing scarecrow locations along with ballots and ballot boxes, will be available at the Buellton Visitor Information Center (597 Ave of Flags, Unit 101) and at participating businesses throughout the City.
Buellton’s scarecrows will be judged – starting October 10, 2014 – by locals, tourists and merchants, as well as a panel of judges, in the following categories: Best Use of Natural Materials, Most Humorous, Best Use of Business Theme, and Spookiest. Buellton’s “Best Scarecrow” will represent the City in the Valley-wide contest, as the town trying to keep its current hold on the coveted “Harvest Cup”.
For info on Buellton's visit http://syvscarecrows.com/buellton/buellton-scarecrowfest/
Other Cities participating: SANTA YNEZ, LOS OLIVOS, LOS ALAMOS, & BALLARD
