Local businesses, civic groups, and residents are now invited to create an entry for Essex’s annual scarecrow contest, which is a part of what event organizers call the town’s Scarecrow FestiFall. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, Oct. 6.

“They’re so creative and fun,” said Samantha McDowell, event co-chair. “I’m hoping that we get a really good turnout this year.”

Each year since 2009, the Essex Board of Trade has organized the presentation of scarecrows on the lamp posts in Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton, with residents and visitors able to cast a vote for their favorite.

Last year, there were 70 handmade scarecrows entered into the contest with Essex resident Shelia Gavish winning first place for her “Music of the Night” entry. Carlson’s Landing restaurant came in second and Middlesex Habitat for Humanity was third.

This year, scarecrows will be judged in five different categories: “Best Town Spirit,” “Most Beautiful,” “Most Creative,” “Most Original,” and “Scariest.”

Essex Selectwoman Stacia Libby, who is also co-chair of the event, said she loves seeing “all of the different creative minds” that participate in the annual contest.

“I’ve seen just some amazing scarecrows right down to the detail of it,” said Libby. “It’s creative and it brings people to town to walk the streets and participate in the shopping and the restaurants, all of the things that the three villages have to offer.”

Although organizers are encouraging the creation of any kind of scarecrow for the contest, McDowell said that people can gain inspiration from the Wizard of Oz theme of the town’s Scarecrow FestiFall, which is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9.

“If they’re looking for some sort of inspiration, they could think about the movie and then maybe that might help them put a scarecrow together,” said McDowell.

To be entered into the contest, scarecrows can be dropped off at one of two business locations: J. Alden Clothiers at 17 Main Street in Essex for display in Essex Village or Elite Nutrition at 33 Main Street Unit 4 in Centerbrook for display in Centerbrook or Ivoryton.

Scarecrows will be hung Thursday, Oct. 7 with voting taking place by paper ballot throughout the month of October at one of six locations.

Voting locations are: J. Alden Clothiers, the Connecticut River Museum at 67 Main Street in Essex, Savour Café and Bakery at 90 Main Street in Centerbrook, The Blue Hound at 107 Main Street in Ivoryton, the Ivoryton Library at 106 Main Street in Ivoryton, and Elite Nutrition.

Winners will be announced at the Essex Halloween Parade, which is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 31.

Events for Scarecrow Festifall

The Essex Historical Society will kick off the town’s Scarecrow Festifall on Friday, Oct. 8 with a twilight tour of River View Cemetery at North Main Street in Essex. There is a second tour at 4 p.m. on Oct. 9. The cost is $5 per person or free to members of Essex Historical Society.

A full line-up of activities, including free admission to the Connecticut River Museum for children 12 and under, a scavenger hunt, a selfie station, live music and face painting, will take place throughout Essex Village on Saturday, Oct. 9. More details are available at essexct.com.