The annual Eureka Scarecrow Festival will have a different feel this year.
Parks and Recreation Department supervisor Lizzie Roberds said organizers will create about 20 scenes using the creation committee’s scarecrows instead of having the scarecrows scattered throughout the city.
“We’re matching groups of scarecrows together,” she said. “There have been quite a few sports characters, superheroes or fairy tale characters created over the years.”
Businesses and organizations will continue to set up their own scarecrows at their locations, Roberds said.
She said the scarecrow collections on public property will allow plenty of room for parking and taking photos.
“We’re very excited to see this change,” she said. “It brings the scarecrows together in safer areas.”
Roberds said the city will spend $15,000 on the festival, which runs Oct. 1-31, and features plenty of weekend events. She said scarecrows were placed around the city on Sept. 26.
Voting for the best business and organization scarecrow opens on Oct. 1 and closes Oct. 31. Votes may be cast at eurekascarecrowfestival.com.
Opening event
The first event associated with the Scarecrow Festival starts at the end of the week.
The annual Eureka Days festival will be held Friday, Sept. 29, through Sunday, Oct. 1, at Lions and Legion parks. The festival will feature carnival rides, vendors, live music, knockerball, kickball and children’s activities, Roberds said.
American Banner Amusements will provide carnival rides, which will operate from 5-11 p.m. Sept. 29, noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 30 and noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 1.
The Eureka Days parade will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday along Central Avenue in downtown Eureka. Participants are encouraged to decorate float and vehicle entries with Oktoberfest themes.
Second weekend
The first full October weekend will feature a Golf Cart Parade.
The event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 with golf carts rolling down Central Avenue. Golf carts must be street legal.
The event is sponsored by the Eureka Golf Cart Club and Red Door Liquor and Cigars.
Big Truck and Safety Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 7 at Eureka High School, 4525 Hwy. 109.
“It’s going to be a great time,” Eureka Fire Protection District Fire Chief Greg Brown said. “There will be firetrucks there, there will be police cars, there will be ambulances, work trucks, farm tractors and a helicopter. It will be a great event.”
Brown said the event is always a hit with children.
According to the city’s website, a helicopter will be at the event from 10 a.m. to noon.
Parking will be available at the high school.
Timbers anniversary
The 10th anniversary celebration of the opening of the Timbers of Eureka recreation center will be held from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 14, at the center, 1 Coffey Park Lane.
“The Timbers is turning 10 this year, so we’re going back to our roots,” Roberds said. “We had an open house when we first opened, so we’re doing that again. It’s a member appreciation party and also an open house.”
The public is invited to see all the recreation center has to offer, from fitness programs to rentals and workout equipment. Roberds said there will be lots of giveaways and snacks at the event.
“Quite a bit has changed (in 10 years) and is changing,” Roberds said. “We’re highlighting everything that we do.”
More events
■ Not in Our Backyard Little Black Dress Event, 6 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Legends Country Club, 625 Legends Parkway.
■ Red Door Liquor Cigars Homebrew Festival, 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at 115 S. Central Ave.
■ The Great Go! St. Louis Halloween Race, 7 a.m. Oct. 22. 5K, 10K, half marathon and fun run. Pumpkin pie age group awards, finisher medals, costume contest.
■ Realty Executives Trunk or Treat, 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at 113 Hilltop Village Center Drive.