Scarecrows return to the streets of Oroville
Halloween got off to a spooktacular start Friday when downtown merchants hosted a scarecrow contest.
“We just wanted to do something festive, something in the spirit of Halloween for the kids since they really won’t be able to go trick or treating because of COVID,” said Heather Johnson, Downtown Oroville board member.
To keep this event COVID-safe, instead of hanging out inside stores, the scarecrows hit the streets at noon and were scheduled to loiter in front of participating businesses until 8 p.m. passively promoting the fun of the spookiest and sweetest holiday of the year.
“Families could walk around to see the scarecrows or drive around if they felt more safe and comfortable,” said Johnson.
Donna Rickets and Vicki Hutchings, who live in a downtown senior apartment complex, took a spin intheir electricwheelchairs to see the scarecrows.
“Wehaven’t left thehouse since March. We wanted to get out and see the scarecrows. It feels great to have a little sunonmy skin,” said Ricketts.
Hutchings concurred saying, “It’s so fun to be down here and see how creative people have been.”
Traditionally the annual scarecrow contest has been a month- long event but this year Downtown Oroville decided to spice it up a bit bymaking it a one-day event and adding a drawing for a $50 gift certificate. Everyone who participated in the on-line voting, which was open until 9 p.m., was automatically entered into the drawing.
“We’ll contact the winner and the gift certificate will be issued to them for the business or restaurant of their choosing,” said Johnson.
This year marks the 11th annual scarecrow contest. In the past this “fun little local event,” has featured some pretty spectacular scarecrows.
“Some of the store go all out. Some of the scarecrows have been huge, some really scary and some just funny. Red Fly did a scarecrow one year that wasmooning
people. It was pretty funny, people got a kick out of it” said Bernadette North, board member.
A few stores like Nelson’s Footwear allowed nonprofit organizations to build scarecrows for display out their store. The scarecrow in front of Nelson’s was a little girl scarecrow and display made by Parkview Early Learning Center.
Many of the participating stores also put up new merchandizing displays showcasing new arrival and hosted fall preview and sidewalk sales during the event.
“The contest is really for the kids but the stores do take the competition ‘ seriously,’ because winning gives them bragging rights,” said Johnson.