Emlen Physick Estate to Display Scarecrow Alley

CAPE MAY – Create your own scarecrow to be admired with dozens of others along “Scarecrow Alley,” when the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., are transformed for Halloween and become the setting for goofy goblins and spooky specters, from Oct. 10 through Nov. 2.
The 6th Annual Scarecrow Contest sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is underway, and it’s time to rally friends, family, schoolmates and colleagues, or come up with your own idea, for creating a spooky, scary or just plain silly scarecrow. Registration is free. Register your entry and compete for prizes, with an overall prize of $200 earmarked for the People’s Choice Award given to the creator of the scarecrow that receives the most votes from visitors to the Estate.
New in 2014! New this year is an additional category for children aged 3-10, the “Munchkin” category, with smaller-sized stakes available for the youngsters. Also new this year is an event to help you get started creating your scarecrow, a free Scarecrow Workshop, Oct. 4 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. during the Harvest Festival Crafts & Antiques Show on the grounds of the Physick Estate. Gather your group or come on your own. Bring clothing, props and other accessories, and get creative. Children attending the workshop must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants choose to register in one of five categories: “Individuals or Families,” “Businesses,” “Non-profits, Church, Club, Scout Troops,” “School Class” or “Munchkin.” MAC will have straw and up to two wooden cross stakes available for registrants, if needed, (small stakes available in the Munchkin category) which can be picked up at the Maintenance Barn on the Estate between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 22 through Oct. 9. All entrants receive a 4-feet-by-4-feet area to decorate, and larger spaces are available upon request. Multiple scarecrows, whimsical characters and miscellaneous props may be displayed. Scarecrows may reflect a special theme or promote your organization or business.
Visitors to the Physick Estate will be asked to vote for their favorite scarecrow by filling out a ballot in the Carriage House from Oct. 10 through Nov. 2. Friends and family members are encouraged to visit the Estate and vote for their favorites.
Scarecrows may be dropped off between Oct. 6 and Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the estate, 1048 Washington St. The deadline to register is Oct. 9. Winners will be notified Nov. 3. Prizes include a People’s Choice Award of $200 for the scarecrow with the most votes, $100 in the individual/family category, a display ad on MAC’s Web site in the business category, and a pizza party for the winning non-profit, community or scout group, the winning school group and the winning munchkin and 10 of his or her friends.
Here are some tips and guidelines for making your scarecrow:
• Scarecrows must be constructed to withstand severe wind and rainy weather conditions.
• Use care in choosing your materials. All decorations must be firmly attached to your scarecrow/display.
• Use staple guns, fishing line or string to secure your scarecrow.
• We do not recommend using newspaper to stuff your scarecrow.
• Scarecrows must be in good taste; scarecrows or displays reflecting controversial, social, religious or political opinions or statements will not be accepted.
To register, or for more information about MAC’s Scarecrow Contest, please contact Anna Marie Leeper at 609-884-5404 ext. 1-111 or aleeper@capemaymac.org or download an application form and rules from the Halloween page on MAC’s website at www.capemaymac.org. Go to Halloween Happenings/Scarecrow Alley.
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org.