By Casey Film
Round Table editor

The scarecrow design contest in Middletown began on Oct. 17 when volunteers from the local community set up over 50 colorful and creative scarecrows on Main Street.

The contest was run by the Arts and Activities Council, made up entirely of local volunteers who organize events such as the movie nights at Middletown Park, and the Memorial Day parade.

The goal of the scarecrow contest was to inspire people in Middletown to be artistic and creative.

“We thought we had more activities than art,” said Courtenay Deiderich a long time member of the Arts and Activities Council.

The bell painting contest last year was also an attempt to showcase the artistic side of Middletown’s residents. Deiderich said that even though the movie nights are popular, the council wanted to create a way for people to be creative instead of, “just going to a movie to socialize.”

This is the second year for the contest. Last year 30 scarecrow creation kits were distributed, but the contest was so popular that 60 kits were made this year. Nearly all of the kits returned to the Municipal Center as scarecrows, shaped as anything from Snoopy to the notorious Middletown knight.

Over twenty volunteers, many of them teenagers or younger, helped fasten the scarecrows to sign posts on Main Street, early Saturday morning. Even with the ceaseless rain, all of the colorful creations were set up within two hours.

“A little rain won’t stop us,” said Cynthie Corcoran, the President of the Arts and Activities Council. All of the scarecrows were labeled, photographed for judging, and taken out to their posts thanks to the “awesome group of volunteers.”

“It’s a great thing to have these people have this kind of dedication,” said Corcoran.

The three scarecrows deemed to be the most creative will be awarded 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, and one will be given the title of “Burgess’s Choice.” All of the entries and the winners can be viewed on the Arts and Activities Council website.