Scarecrow row

Andrew Waite

Some wore goblin masks, others wore witches hats. Some had basketball heads, others had lengthy dreads.

“Welcome to Scarecrow Row.” That’s what the sign in the middle of the 20 scarecrows lined up off Highway 135 in St. Regis read. It was a declaration of the contest sponsored by the St. Regis Community Council.

About 20 different teams and families built their own scarecrows on the empty posts set up between the Subway and the St. Regis Antique Gallery.

One was a tiny creature dressed in blue, seemingly cowering from attention. Another was a gigantic pumpkin-headed lumberjack with its arms spread to the sky. Another was a curvy female with a smiling pumpkin face. Despite all of their bodies being made of hay, each scarecrow had its own unique flare.

Dr. Gerry Gotcher’s troll scarecrow took second place in the competition.

“I had the troll mask so I decided to put it on the scarecrow,” Gotcher said. She said it took about 10 hours to build and her granddaughter Justice Tate helped put the bird frightener up.

The second place finish earned Gotcher $75. First place took home $150 and third place was awarded $25.

Community council members judged the row of scarecrows and determined the winner.