7th Annual Scarecrow Contest

7th Annual Scarecrow Contest

Hosted by the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce & Downtown Park Hills Association

The Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Park Hills Association are excited to announce the 7th Annual Scarecrow Contest!

Everyone is invited to participate! Simply register, create your scarecrow, and then encourage friends, family, customers, or anyone you'd like to vote for your creation on the Chamber's Facebook Page.

Downtown light poles are available for display. Only 30 poles are available and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contest Rules & Guidelines

Eligibility

Open to businesses, organizations, groups, and residents.
Membership in the Chamber or DPHA is not required.
👉 This is a great way to promote your business or organization!

Categories

• People's Choice: Determined by public votes via Facebook; includes all entries.
• Most Traditional: Classic scarecrows made primarily of straw to - keep crows from the corn.
• Most Creative: Any theme-fairytales, books, TV, movies, celebrities, etc.materials other than straw are welcome.
• Best Portrayal of an Entity: Must clearly represent a local business, organization, or group.

Entry Fee

FREE!
To participate, entrants must:

1. Register with the Chamber.
2. Place their scarecrow on display.
3. Email a clear photo of their entry to assistant@phlcoc.net no later than October 14, 2025 (noon).

Location

• Eligible scarecrows must be within Park Hills city limits.
• Displays may be placed:
  • In front of your business/organization, OR
  • On one of the 30 designated light poles along the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of West Main Street.

Registration

Participants must register with the Chamber for eligibility.
A high-resolution photo of your scarecrow is required by October 14, 2025, at noon.

👉 Light pole assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click here for a numbered map of available light poles.

IMPORTANT Construction Guidelines

• Scarecrows must be family-friendly: whimsical, humorous, mischievous, or lovable.
• No sharp objects, political, religious, or controversial themes allowed.
• Vertical supports are required for pole displays; freestanding scarecrows are permitted only in front of businesses.
• Displays must not block sidewalks, crosswalks, or entryways.
• Scarecrows must be durable - securely fastened to withstand wind, rain, and possibly snow. Entrants are fully responsible for safety and security.
• All decorations must be firmly attached.
• Participants must maintain their displays. Unmaintained scarecrows may be removed and disqualified.
• Props such as corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins, and mums are allowed if they do not obstruct walkways.

Duration

• Scarecrows must be in place by October 15, 2025 (noon).
• All entries and display materials must be removed by November 3, 2025 (6:00 p.m.).

Judging & Voting

• People's Choice Award: Public voting on the Chamber's Facebook Page, October 16-31.

  • Voting is by reacting (Like, Love, Care, etc.) to the official photo posted by the Chamber.
  • Only reactions to the original photo count.
  • The entry with the most reactions at midnight on October 31 wins.

• Other Categories: Judged by a panel chosen by PHLCOC & DPHA.

• Winners will be announced on November 3, 2025.

Prizes

• People's Choice:

  • A unique, handmade traveling plaque to display for one year.
  • Permanent engraved plate with winner's name added to the plaque.
  • Commemorative trophy.
  • Press coverage in print and on social media.

• Category Winners:

  • Commemorative trophy.
  • Press coverage in print and on social media.

• All Participants:

  • Commemorative Honorable Mention medals.

The Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce & Downtown Park Hills Association reserves the right to promote, photograph, and share on social media all scarecrow entries.

Interpretation of these rules and guidelines, as well as any decisions made by the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce & Downtown Park Hills Association, are final and cannot be challenged. By entering the scarecrow contest, you confirm that you accept these rules and will follow all guidelines.

Questions? Contact the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce at 573-431-1051 or assistant@phlcoc.net.