INNISFAIL - It was cold and blustery. Old Man Winter came early. But it didn't matter.
Local citizens bundled up and enthusiastically took in the third annual Innisfail Scarecrow Festival during the Thanksgiving long weekend on Main Street.
“I thought it was fabulous. We got way more scarecrows this year. I know there is more than we have ever had, and I think every year it is going to get better,” said Debra Stoski, president of the Downtown Business Association, which organized the annual event.
Although the official number of scarecrow entries was not available last week, Stoski said it was “definitely” a record, despite the pre-winter blast of snow and chilly temperatures.
“The weather played against us this year. We couldn't do our bounce house because it was too cold. It doesn't work. They didn't come,” said Stoski, adding organizers still offered citizens horse and carriage rides and free hot chocolate on Oct. 8, the official big day of the festival.
“It is going to grow. Every year we are going to try to add something if we can. It just depends on what we can come up with and what ideas we can come up with to make it more fun.”
As in the past, the festival featured awards – including the People's Choice – for best scarecrow. The cost to select the best was a loonie and proceeds, matched by the association, went to the Innisfail Seniors Drop-In Centre.
Catherine McMurray, assistant branch manager at Innisfail's ATB Financial, was one of the judges for the awards. She said citizens, despite the bite of the pre-winter elements, were thrilled to experience the creativity that was displayed at the festival.
“We have lots of scarecrows, which is great. As long as you dress for the weather it's beautiful out here,” she said. “It's nice to see lots of families walking up and down Main Street looking at the different scarecrows. It hasn't scared everyone away, for sure, the weather. It's nice to see people participating even though it is kind of cold out.”
And when the judging was over, several businesses, citizens and groups took away ribbons for their creations, with the first-place winners also receiving a plaque. Below is the full list of winners.
Business category
1st - Red Willow Welding
2nd - Innisfail Tire & Lube Inc.
3rd - Inspiration Ink
Individual – adult category
1st - Mike Maxwell
2nd - Kaitlyn MacKinnon
Individual – child category
1st - Kaden Evans
2nd - Julie and Adam Westman
3rd - Lindsay Conners
Out-of-town category
1st - Markon Electric
Group/non-profit adult category
1st - Advance Society
2nd - TOPS AB 2525 Innisfail
Group/non-profit child category
1st - Pathfinders
2nd - Multi Unit Sparks/Brownies
3rd - Innisfail Skating Club
People's choice category
1st - Innisfail Skating Club
2nd - Canada Post
3rd - Mike Maxwell
Catherine McMurray, judge for the scarecrow festival
"We have lots of scarecrows, which is great. As long as you dress for the weather it's beautiful out here. It's nice to see lot of families walking up and down Main Street looking at the different scarecrows."
