Each year from mid-September to mid-October, Meaford, the town on Georgian Bay directly north of us (where I get most of my pictures of Georgian Bay), is invaded by numerous scarecrows. It started in 1996, with some businesses creating scarecrows to decorate the main street, during the annual Apple Harvest Craft Show weekend. Now it's a month of scarecrows everywhere!
The scarecrows, made by a great many citizen volunteers, are all over town, particularly up and down the main street.
I just captured a few near the centre of town, on a grey day that was slightly drizzly, all just outside the Meaford Hall - the former town hall, now a concert theatre.
They were even hanging from the lamposts up and down the street.
This group was lined up on the front steps of the hall. The theme this year was celebrating sport, so all of these are in ski boots and winter outfits. The Blue Mountain ski clubs are just a few miles to the east.
Gave me lots of memories of downhill skiing, though I've now give that up for cross-country.
And of course, occasionally there's an injury! I tore my own knee ligaments skiing about 20 years ago!
There's even a statue in honour of Meaford's scarecrows. It's called 'Schubird', and the best explanation I've found for the name is that it stands for 'shoo bird'. You see Meaford is the apple capital of Canada, and has lots of berry farms as well, so they want to shoo the birds away! It all makes for a colourful month in Meaford anyway!
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Went 'down south' (two hours south that is), to a family wedding - but I've caught a cold and don't really feel very well now. It's a race here between the rainy days, the sunny days, and the end of October, 'cause I still need to mulch the leaves. I know from the past that I can't count on good weather past the end of October, so I'm hoping for a sunny and dry week!
I hope you recuperate quickly. Get your flu shot! I've had mine.
ReplyDeleteGreat theme to brighten up those grey days!
ReplyDeleteThese scarecrows are great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun tradition. When I was an elementary school principal I made a scarecrow I called "Jack" and sat him outside my door in the hallway. The kids loved the display and I had a lot of fun with it. - Margy
ReplyDeleteScarecrows, skis, crutches, or maybe one crutch, broken leg/legs , ski boots, what a great collection of wonderful creations. get well soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd love to be around to capture and admire all those scarecrows. I used to be a cross country skier but gave it up because of my knees. I can still walk and dance just fine. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt has been years since I was up in Meaford I had relatives living there many years ago . Lovely photos . Hope you get better soon ! Leaves well we have more to clean up still to but they will be done soon as our trees are becoming bare ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteI Love the scarecrows, some people are so creative!! We just went to a similar place and there were so many, I only photographed my favorites. My husband does not like to get rid of the leaves.....to support his argument, he always tells me they are natures free decorations. I'm not buying it, but it's what he selling every year!!
ReplyDeleteThe town really does go all out with scarecrows!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine collection of scarecrows! Hope no one has a scarcrow phobia. : )
ReplyDeleteThose are really neat -- thanks for sharing them with your readers.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a fun festival to take in. They have similar ones in Nova Scotia.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea. Wish we had something like this around here.
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