Scarecrow hangouts:

Stuffed shirts, straw polls mark these 6 sites

Wanted: Hardy souls to push autumn’s outdoor excursions later into this pandemic year. Why? Because indoor attractions and gatherings are arguably scarier than the great outdoors, cold or not.

We’ve scared up some scarecrow festivals and contests that will cost you nothing but a smile. And some of the skeleton participants are wearing nothing but a smile. Here’s a list of top stops, in person or online:

Wethersfield’s 25th annual Scarecrows Along Main Street

Running through the historic district of Wethersfield that housed boat captains and seed packers dating back to

1634, the scarecrows front a synagogue, churches, restaurants, museums, Colonial homes and ice cream places in Old Wethersfield.

Scarecrows along Main is sponsored by the Old Wethersfield Shopkeepers Association, and you can vote through Sunday, Oct. 25.

As in other contests, various agencies and community groups lend their creativity and messages to different entries at the “parade” of stuffed shirts available through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Essex Scarecrow FestiFall

This display and contest is hosted by the Essex Board of Trade. Normally that would mean a traditional live festival in Main Street Park, but COVID-safety guidelines preclude such a gathering.

Still, you can stroll a lamppost presentation of scarecrows and enjoy some alfresco dining and shopping, the group says. That lineup runs along the Main streets of Essex, Centerbrook and Ivoryton villages.

Residents and visitors can vote for their favorite scare

crow via text at 74574 . Entry numbers will be labeled on each scarecrow through Thursday, Oct. 29. The winner will be announced on at EssexCT.com.

Wilton’s Scarecrow Fest

The Chamber of Commerce backs this Scarecrow Fest in Wilton Center with cooperation from the Wilton Historical Society, the town, Parks and Recreation and the Department of Public Works.

Finished scarecrows are due Thursday, Oct. 15, and they will remain up through Monday, Nov. 2.

Vernon’s Strong Family Farm Scarecrow Fest

The annual Scarecrow Contest at the 274 West St. farm in Vernon features 36 scarecrows this year. And while they were scheduled to line up for blue ribbons at a socially distanced Oct. 17 ceremony, the scarecrows are available for perusal at their assigned fence posts on Peterson Road through Saturday, Oct. 31, and online after that.

Like all of these contests,

the Vernon scarecrow contest exhibit area is family friendly. According to the rules, scarecrows should be whimsical, humorous, mischievous or lovable, not frightening, gruesome or bloody. We like that.

Manchester’s Downtown Scarecrow Festival

Put on by the Downtown Manchester Special Services District with support from Crimson Art Box, this display celebrating downtown businesses runs through Saturday, Oct. 24, with 30 to 35 scarecrows along Main Street.

The difference this pandemic year? In the past, you could go inside businesses to vote; now voting is all on social media at the group’s Facebook page.

Ridgefield’s 8th annual scarecrow contest

“Participants” in Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center’s eighth annual contest of scarecrows will be displayed downtown through Halloween.

Joe Amarante / Hearst Connecticut Media Children mingle with scarecrows during a photo op at the 25th annual Scarecrows Along Main Street in Wethersfield on Oct. 12.