Scarecrow Festival at the Made in Iowa Fall Market
Saturday, Oct 17 and Sunday Oct 18, 2026 | 10 AM – 3 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!
Public Scarecrow Showcase
We invite the public to participate by creating a scarecrow to be displayed during the market. Individuals, local businesses, non-profits, schools, clubs, organizations, families, and community groups are all encouraged to join the fun!
Whether you’re a kid, teen, adult, artist, business owner, or simply someone who loves fall, we want to see your most imaginative scarecrow creation.
Use fabric, wood, metal, recyclables, buttons, bottle caps, yarn, painted materials, or almost anything else you can dream up to build your scarecrow masterpiece.
Scarecrows will be displayed during the Made in Iowa Fall Market on:
October 17 & 18, 2026
10 AM – 3 PM
Market Admission: $5
Kids under 12 are free
Scarecrow Size Categories
We’ll have three size categories for public entries:
Small (Under 12 inches) – Must be able to sit securely on a shelf or tabletop display.
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
Scarecrow entries will be grouped into the following divisions:
Kids (12 & under)
Teens (13–17)
Adults (18+)
- Business or Organization Scarecrow
Submitting a scarecrow is a fun way to showcase creativity, build team spirit, and connect with the community.
Important Dates
Entry Deadline: Sunday, October 1, 2026
Drop-Off: Thursday, October 16, from 2pm to 6pm at Hawkeye Downs
Pick-Up: Saturday, October 18, between 4pm to 5pm after the event
Any scarecrows not picked up may be donated to a local charity.
Suggested Themes
Ideas to Inspire You:
- Create a scarecrow based on someone you know
- Design a famous celebrity or historical figure
- Represent your business or organization
- Plumber? Dress your scarecrow like a plumber
- Restaurant? Create a chef scarecrow
- Teacher? Farmer? Artist? The possibilities are endless
- Show off your favorite sports team
- Create something silly and funny
- Design a spooky or creepy scarecrow
- Celebrate Iowa, harvest season, or autumn traditions
How to Get Eliminated
The following are NOT allowed:
- Political or overly violent scarecrows
- Yard inflatables
- Commercial costumes, rubber masks, or plastic masks
- Perishable food items
- Glass items or appliances
- Anything requiring electricity or outlets
(Battery-operated items are allowed) - Displays larger than the allotted 6 ft x 6 ft space
- Entries that do not fit within the listed categories or divisions
Prizes 
Get creative, have fun, and you could walk away with some awesome prizes!
Don’t miss your chance to join in the fall fun and bring your best scarecrow to life! 
