Scarecrow Festival at the Made in Iowa Fall Market

Saturday, October 18, 2026 | 9 AM – 3:00 PM | Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids

Get ready for a fun, festive, and wildly creative celebration of all things autumn — the Scarecrow Festival is coming to the Made in Iowa Fall Market! Anyone can enter! Individuals, Businesses, Non-Profits, Kids & Families, Schools, Organizations, Clubs, etc.

Public Scarecrow Showcase

We invite the public to participate by creating a Scarecrow to be shown at the Market. Individuals, local businesses, organizations, schools, and others are invited to create a scarecrow to be displayed. Whether you’re a kid, a teen, or an adult or a business, we want your most imaginative scarecrow creation on display at the market. Use whatever materials you like — fabric, metal, recyclables, buttons, bottle caps, whatever (almost) — to you build your scarecrow.

Scarecrows will be displayed at the Made in Iowa Fall Market on Oct 18, 2025 from 9am to 3pm. Entry into the Market is $5. Kids under 12 and anyone with a valid student id is free.

Scarecrow Size Categories

We’ll have three size categories for public entries:

  • Small (Under 12 inches) – Must be able to sit on a shelf or be mounted securely.

  • Medium (1–3 feet tall) – Should be lightweight and easy to position around the venue.

  • Large (3–5 feet tall) – Must be sturdy, freestanding, or wall-hangable.

All scarecrows must be safe, durable, and easy to display in and around the Hawkeye Downs Expo Center.

Divisions for Entries

Submitting a scarecrow is a fun way to showcase your creativity, build team spirit, and get your name out in the community. Local businesses, schools, organizations, and families are all invited to join the fun by creating a scarecrow for display.

Scarecrow entries will be grouped by age:

  • Kids (12 & under)

  • Teens (13–17)

  • Adults (18+)

  • Business or Organization Scarecrow
 

 Important Dates

  • Entry Deadline: Sunday, October 1, 2025

  • Drop-Off: Thursday, October 16, from 12PM to 3PM at Hawkeye Downs

  • Pick-Up: Saturday, October 18, between 5PM and 6PM after the event

Any scarecrows not picked up may be donated to a local charity.

Suggested Themes

Think outside the Scarecrow box. Here are a couple of suggestions:

1. Perhaps your scarecrow is someone you know

2. Perhaps your scarecrow is a famous person.

3. Design a scarecrow of a historical figure

3. Are you representing a business or organization? If so, dress your scarecrow appropriate to your org.  For instance, dress it as a plumber if you’re in the plumbing business. Representing a restaurant? Create a scarecrow in a chef’s outfit and hat.

4. Fan of a local sports team. Dress your scarecrow in team colors or jersey or more.

5. Have a silly scarecrow.

6. Create a scary scarecrow.

How to Get Eliminated

– No Political or overly violent scarecrows
– No Yard Inflatables
– Commercial Costumes, rubber or plastic masks, etc.
– No perishable goods, glass or appliances
– No Electricity (anything that needs an outlet; battery operated items can be used)
– If the scarecrow does not fit in one of the categories or divisions listed above.
If the scarecrow display goes past the 6 feet X 6feet space provided.

Prizes    🎁

Hills Bank is generously providing VISA gift cards  valued at $100, $50, and $25 as prizes for the Scarecrow Festival scarecrows!

✨ Get creative, have fun, and you could walk away with one of these awesome prizes!

🗓 Don’t miss your chance to join in the fall fun – bring your best scarecrow to life! 🌾🎃