It’s Scarecrow Festival time. You can build one, vote for a favorite, and launch pumpkins

Aspen Shumpert

Start fall season off by launching pumpkins and judging scarecrows. Some might argue it’s too early to celebrate, but not the Gig Harbor area.

When and where is the 2022 Scarecrow Festival?

The 13th annual Scarecrow Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sehmel Homestead Park.

Admission is free.

The event presented by Neighborhood Experts Real Estate will feature food trucks, music and entertainment, family friendly activities and a pumpkin launcher.

How does the Scarecrow Festival competition work?

The main event at the festival is the community scarecrow competition, with entries created by local businesses, community groups, and families. Each team will create a scarecrow and have it displayed at the festival.

This year the festival also asked vendors to display scarecrows at their booths for the public to keep in mind come voting time. With about 70 vendors, there will be dozens of displays.

While the event hit capacity for vendors, they are still accepting entries from families in the community.

Those interested can email Matthew Kerns at mkerns@penmetparks.org to reserve a display spot.

“You can tell a good scarecrow display by its originality, creativity, and it being homemade in nature,” Matthew Kerns, Recreation Services Manager for PenMet Parks told The Gateway Tuesday.

They will have four categories for prizes this year, two of which are decided by attendees who vote at the event.

  • People’s Choice - Best in Show (judged by public vote)

  • Most Unique (judged by public vote)

  • Most Creative

  • PenMet Parks Choice

“In lieu of a monetary donation like in previous years, we are asking everyone to bring nonperishable food to the Kiwanis booth to support our food drive at the event,” Kerns said.

And by donating to PenMet Park’s Recreation Scholarship Fund, attendees can launch small pumpkins at targets with a slingshot.

The Pee-wee Rodeo returns for the second year, including stick horse barrel racing, hula hoop lasso, and “hog” tying events.

A local makers market section will be available for attendees to visit artisans and craftspeople from the Gig Harbor area.

“They specialize in artisan jewelry, birdfeeders, crochet amigurumi plushies, resin art, cutting boards, painted rock art, sensory toys, handmade knit apparel, custom engraved tumblers, bath bombs, quilts, and more,” according to the PenMet Parks website.

Where’s the parking for the Scarecrow Festival?

PenMet Parks suggests attendees carpool, due to limit parking spaces at the park. If drivers are willing to park off site, there’s another option.

“You do not have to worry about parking with the addition of a shuttle this year,” Kerns said.

A bus will run continuously between Sehmel Homestead Park, 10123 78th Ave. NW and Gig Harbor High School, 5101 Rosedale St. NW. The bus will start its rounds at Gig Harbor High School beginning at 10:50 a.m.

PenMet Parks is still looking for volunteers for the event. Those who are interested can apply here.

Sponsors of the event include PenMet Parks, Neighborhood Experts Real Estate, TAPCO Credit Union, and Peninsula Light Co.

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