Scaring up creativity
Scarecrows didn’t keep the crowds from flocking to Kool Breeze Farms 11th annual event
Thousands flocked to the 11th annual Scarecrow Festival at Kool Breeze Farms in Summerside on Sunday.
Co-owner Ian Simmons says the festival has grown in popularity and is a community event.
“Open Farm Day gives hundreds across the Island an opportunity to understand agriculture on P.E.I., and where their food comes from. And we do a lot of fun things on the day,” said Simmons.
“We are egg farmers, so the egg farmers of P.E.I. are here with a booth, and the Summerside Lions Club has been here year over year, and they run the race activities that include a three-legged race, potato-sack race, egg race and bean-bag toss.”
The Scarecrow Festival is an event that celebrates the spirit of the season.
“We host a scarecrow contest and just had about 20 children who were dressed up as live scarecrows, so that was pretty amazing event in itself,” said Simmons.
Crowds were lining up to jump on an interactive hay wagon ride to tour the farm.
“It’s a massive turnout,” acknowledged Simmons.
“We have four wagon rides with 40 or 50 people on each wagon and yet we still have queues.”
Generation XX Youth Centre volunteers were kept on their toes while preventing gridlock and directing drivers – who slowed to soak in the festivities – to safe parking.
All proceeds from the corn maze go towards Generation XX, which also kept a watchful eye on the fields.
Activities included live a scarecrow contest, face painting, entertainment, Spotlight Theatre Company actors in character roaming the grounds, food vendors and Chris Gilfoy (That Pumpkin Guy) with a demonstration and giveaways.