Scarecrows returning in force for village fun
COVID WASN’T FINAL STRAW DESPITE LAST YEAR’S EVENT CANCELLATION
FINAL preparations are under way for the return of the Desford Scarecrow Festival after it had to be cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fourth annual festival will return over the three days of the bank holiday weekend, and will have a storybook theme.
Organisers hope it will replicate the success of the previous three events when thousands of visitors descended on the village to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy live entertainment and see hundreds of scarecrows bring a dash of colour to the streets.
As in past years, a panel of judges will pick out their favourites for special commendations.
Past award-winning scarecrows have ranged from Wallace & Gromit to The Go-Jetters, Mary Poppins, Back to the Future, Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off.
The weather forecast this year is looking promising, and organisers are confident that 2021 will be among the best yet.
This year’s theme will be “Tell Us A
Story”, with displays set to feature books from favourite children’s stories to old classics and everything in between.
The festival is run by a team of volunteers called the Scarecrew, who have planned a fun-filled weekend of entertainment and attracted 116 entrants so far.
A spokeswoman for the organising committee said it was great to be able to bring the village together again as the country continues the slow process of opening up.
She said: “The weekend itself has raised over £10,000 in the past for various charities and community groups and we really hope to reach the same this year, especially after such a hard 18 months for everyone. We are so excited to be back and look forward to seeing all the scarecrows.”