More than 200 scarecrows will appear in Eureka for the eighth annual Scarecrow Festival this year, which will run Oct. 1-31.
“Fan favorites returning this year are E.T., Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, the 20-piece band and the 13-member choir,” said Barbara Scheer, who introduced the festival to the city in 2014 and leads a team that creates many of the scarecrows that are set up around Eureka.
Scheer said like every year, new scarecrows will make an appearance.
“We do have a darling family appearing for the first time this year – Mama Pumpkin, Baby Pumpkin, and Daddy Pumpkin,” she said. “Along the same lines, Pumpkin Spice Lottie will make her debut at this year’s festival, as well.”
Eureka Days, which is normally held in September, is kicking off the first three days of the monthlong event. The three-day city festival, which features carnival rides, vendor booths and numerous activities, is scheduled to run Friday through Sunday.
The Scarecrow Festival is sponsored by the Eureka Chamber of Commerce and city of Eureka. Mayor Sean Flower said the city has taken more control over planning the event this year.
“We’re trying to use the things that the city does really well, which is logistics and planning,” he said. “We’ve got the staff and the ability to get the things pushed out to take a little bit of the burden off the volunteers. The chamber is still participating heavily.”
Eureka Parks and Recreation coordinator Lizzie Roberds said the city has budgeted $10,000 to market the Scarecrow Festival, which features numerous activities throughout October.
“I’m really looking forward to having these events back,” she said.
Small Business Week
Small Business Week will run Oct. 4-9.
Julie Wood, Eureka’s city clerk and director of economic development, said during the week trivia questions about local businesses will be posted on the Eureka Scarecrow Festival Facebook page. The person who answers the question correctly first will win a prize from that business.
“I learned a lot of things when I was reading the questions over,” she said.
Wood said the week culminates Saturday, Oct. 9, with Elle Salon, Brookdale Farms, Like New Shoe Repair, Sarah’s on Central, Dickey Bub, O’Dell’s Irish Pub and Ale House, Robyn’s Nest, Eureka Music, Rose and Hook, TCL, Red Door and Chick-n-Elly’s offering customers a coupon to use during a future visit.
“You purchase something on Saturday, and then you get a coupon to purchase something before Dec. 31,” she said. “Hopefully, it’ll get people back in the door.”
Golf Cart Parade
The Golf Cart Parade will return to the festival after a successful debut in 2020. The parade will start at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8.
Roberds said carts will assemble on First Street before they proceed down Central Avenue, cross Hwy. 109, drive into the Legends Corporate parking lot, cross Hwy. 109 again to go down Bald Hill Road before disbanding at West Frisco Park.
Roberds said participants need to sign up in advance on the city’s website, eureka.mo.us. It costs $5 to participate in the parade.
“(The entry fee is) going to help pay for prizes and there will be a little giveaway to everyone who enters,” she said.
Eureka Block Party
A block party will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, on Central Avenue.
Roberds said Central will shut down at 5 p.m. at Dreyer Avenue and Frisco Avenue. Parking will be available at West Frisco Park, 14 W. Frisco Ave., and on North Central Avenue.
Roberds said those attending can bring chairs but not coolers, and that the James Whalen Band, a rock, pop and country cover band, is scheduled to perform.
Great Scarecrow Hunt
People can play by taking a selfie with a scarecrow and posting the photo to social media and tagging the festival and the business that created the scarecrow in the post. The official rules are listed at eurekascarecrowfestival.com.
The first-place winner will receive $1,000, second place takes home $500 and third place will get $250, according to the website.
Maps of the scarecrows’ locations can be found inside the Leader’s newspaper box on Central Avenue.
Other events
A Big Truck and Safety Day is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, in Legion and Lions parks.
New this year is The Great Go! St. Louis Halloween Race, which will include a 1-mile fun run, 5K, 10K and half-marathon. The race will be held on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 17.
Super Hero Saturday will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, Roberds said. She said the Eureka Fire Protection District and Eureka Police will drive superheroes around to each neighborhood in the city.
The Harvest Moon Run and Walk, which raises money for local food pantries, will take place Saturday, Oct. 23, in Route 66 State Park.
Trunk or Treat by Realty Executives Premiere will return this year, after a hiatus last year. The event will be held from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at 113 Hilltop Village Center Drive.