Hundreds of scarecrows will soon decorate yards around Forest Park again throughout October.
The Arts Alliance of Forest Park and Historical Society of Forest Park are soon launching the fifth year of their fundraiser, Invasion of the Scarecrows.
This year, 150 scarecrows will be available to order online and pick up at the Park District of Forest Park’s Fall Fest on Sept. 6. There will also be up to 300 scarecrows from previous years of the fundraiser decorating yards throughout town — which owners can include on the Invasion of the Scarecrows map for $5.
To order a new scarecrow this year for $35, visit the Historical Society website at: https://www.forestparkhistory.org/. Kits include a wooden frame, a head, a plastic bag for stuffing, paint, a paintbrush, plus instructions on how to put the scarecrow together and a sign for the display. Kits for children, which have a smaller frame, are $25. People can also buy a pre-painted face by an artist for $10.
The Belle Gunness scarecrow in the 500 block of Circle Avenue won the Most Historic award last year | Provided 
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce scarecrows on the 7700 block of Monroe Street won the 2024 People’s Choice award | Todd Bannor 
Silvia Avila of the Ferrara Candy Shop with 905 Circle Ave.’s Invasion of the Scarecrows display, which won the 2024 Forest Park Pride award | Jessica Mordacq
Scarecrows will be set up throughout October, and an interactive map of their locations will be published online by the first of the month. Also in October, people can vote on their favorite scarecrows. There will be prizes for the winners in the four categories of Most Historic, Most Artistic, Most “Forest Park” and People’s Choice. There will also be two new prizes this year, one to honor an existing scarecrow and another to award the block with the highest participation.
The Arts Alliance and Historical Society will award winners with gifts and gift cards from local businesses and organizations in early November.
