It's almost time for a newly-constructed crew of scarecrows to make themselves at home on the Branford town green. Beginning Friday, Oct. 16 through Tuesday, Nov. 3, Branford Garden Club (BGC) will host the 10th annual "Scarecrows on the Green" display. Right now, BGC is accepting registrations from local businesses, clubs, teams, schools, organizations, non-profits, families or individuals who want to display a scarecrow this year.

The annual event makes the town green a favorite place to peruse for the weeks of the display, but one particular day will be especially sweet -- Saturday, Oct. 24; when BGC's annual Fall Pie Festival joins the fun, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. The one-day-only festival will deliver fresh apple pies baked by club members, available to purchase on the green for $14 per pie. Hint: get there early --  last year's inaugural pie festival became an instant popular ingredient added the scarecrow show; with BGC members selling out of 50 homemade pies in just a few hours. All proceeds benefit BGC town beautification programs. The pie festival is being chaired by Jo Gambardella, a long-time BGC member.

Register Your 'Crow for the Show

To register to display a scarecrow creation, download the Scarecrows on the Green registration form found under Special Events at www.branfordgardenclub.org There is no size limit to the scarecrows registrants can set up on the green; and registration donations of any amount will also be gratefully accepted. Donations can be sent by check with completed registration forms to BGC, c/o 18 Pine Orchard Rd., Branford 06405.  Proceeds benefit BGC Branford beautification projects.

Each fall, BGC's Scarecrows on the Green brings scads of scarecrow displays to take over the Branford green. The scarecrows may be silent, but their signs and unique designs make them a great "spokescrow" for their builders. Plenty of people flock to the town center to inspect creations set up in prime locations on the green between Main Street and Town Hall Drive.

During display days, scarecrow appreciators can also assist BGC programs and efforts by dropping a donation in collection baskets manned by BGC members on the green (look for the folks wearing green aprons). Proceeds from donations will be used to underwrite BGC's beautification projects.

Over the years, BGC has planted thousands of daffodil bulbs throughout town, from Branford Point to points all along Main Street and beyond, creating rafts of yellow blooms come spring. BGC members also plant and maintain Main Street's lamppost baskets and many garden spots in Branford, such as the Veterans Memorial Garden (at town green flagpole), Mae McCabe Memorial Day Lilly Garden on the green and the recently renovated Winnefred Judge garden at the corner of Main Street and Montowese Street (see related story). At Branford Historical Society's Harrison House museum, BGC maintains the site's Alta Newton Memorial Herb Garden and border garden.

BGC also supplies Christmas decorating for Branford's public libraries and the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven. In addition, club was instrumental in developing Branford's Rosenthal Gardens (Kirkham Street) and Community Dining Room (CDR) garden (Harrison Avenue). For more information on BGC programs, activities and undertakings, visit www.branfordgardenclub.org

Anyone interested in joining the Branford Garden Club may fill out the application form at www.branfordgardenclub.org For Day Members contact Nancy Iannotti at iannotti10@comcast.net　For Evening Members contact Shaune Miller at shaunemiller23@gmail.com.