Now's the time to scare up a great idea and create a scarecrow for Branford Garden Club's (BGC) Sixth annual "Scarecrows on the Green." The perennially popular fall event will now extend over three weekends, from Friday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 6.

BGC is beating the bushes for support to bring in a record number of 'crows and help raise funds to support the club's Branford beautification projects. Participants are asked register now, by downloading the application and sending the completed form, together with a check for any donation amount desired, to Rodney Hayes/Branford Garden Club, P.O. Box 966 Branford, CT 06405.

The application, posted with this story, can also be found at BGC's website (click here) under Special Events. No time to make a scarecrow? Donations of any amount are always welcomed by BGC. Questions? Email rodneyfhayes@yahoo.com 

Once you've dreamed up a great design, the next step is to set up on the green between Wednesday, Oct. 19 and Thursday, Oct. 20.

The annual display has become a favorite fall activity for residents and visitors who flock to the green to inspect each creation up close. The scarecrows may be silent, but their signs and unique designs make them a great "spokescrow" for local businesses, clubs, schools, organizations, non-profits and even families or individuals.

Past scarecrow creations have ranged from "Bulbs for the Cure" (a bulb-headed, top-heavy, pink-garbed beauty promoting Breast Cancer Awareness) to BGC's own classic lady scarecrow, wearing a club member's trademark green gardening apron and planting a downtown flower basket.

As part of BGC's mission to beautify Branford, club members plant and maintain Main Street's lamppost baskets, the town green Veterans Memorial Garden (at the flagpole) and the town green Mae McCabe Memorial Day Day Lilly Garden, as well as the Alta Newton Memorial Herb Garden and The Border Garden at historic Harrison House. For well over two decades, BGC has planted thousands of daffodil bulbs throughout town, from Branford Point to points all along Main Street and beyond. Among other endeavors, BGC supplies Christmas decorating at Branford's public libraries and the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven. The club was instrumental in developing the Rosenthal Gardens and Garden at the Community Dining Room (CDR). BGC also provides weekly table flower arrangements at CDR.

BGC first built Scarecrows on the Green as a fundraiser in 2011. The idea was born as a way to help restore town plantings destroyed just weeks earlier by Hurricane Irene. Since then, the annual event's blossomed into an eye-catching fall favorite which helps support ongoing efforts of BGC.