29th Annual Scarecrows Along Main
Main Street
Old Wethersfield
Oct. 8, 2024
There’s nothing like a nice walk on a crisp fall day, and Wethersfield has turned the fall tradition into a walk on the wild side with its annual “Scarecrows Along Main” celebration and competition.
The contest is hosted by the Old Wethersfield Shopkeepers Association, but the scarecrows aren’t the only potential winners. When visitors vote, they’re entered into a drawing to win a “surprise prize” from the association.
I began my walk down Main Street from near the intersection of Garden and Main. It wasn’t long before I was impressed by the creativity of the groups who submitted scarecrows to the competition.
Beetlejuice has always been a favorite Halloween movie of mine (the first one, at least); the submission by the Griswold Middle School Teachers from Rocky Hill is perfect in capturing the subtle horror of Beetlejuice. After all, he is a demon, but makeup can only do so much damage to the handsome visage of Michael Keaton. The scarecrow version definitely delivers on the “scare” part of the equation, and Lydia Deetz looks like she’s seen better days as well.
The appearance of the three witches from a certain Scottish play is not only a great bit of marketing for the Wethersfield High School production of MacBeth this month, but also connects to the town’s history with real witches. Wethersfield was the site of the first witchcraft trials in New England during the Colonial period. Between 1648 and 1668, nine people were accused of witchcraft, and three were executed.
I just love the goofiness and self-awareness of this scarecrow, made by eXp Realty. Another example of combining the power of fear and marketing, the scarecrow features the face of Andrea Mattesen. It’s a great ploy, because now I know if I’m ever going to look for real estate in Wethersfield, Andrea’s the lady to go see.
This display by the Old Wethersfield Shop Association caught my eye due to its extensive nature. They really put up a miniature tavern to represent business in the area, and had some colonial friends from beyond the grave drop in to spend a few bucks. I have to say the plan worked as well; after I finished my walk down Main, I stopped in at Village Pizza for some food (the chicken parmigiana was excellent). So mission accomplished, Shop Association!
I gotta be honest with you: I’m not sure if I would dare enter the place that this scarecrow is selling tickets to. Made by the Michaels family, it looks like our friend is selling entry to a particularly terrifying amusement park. As I’m afraid of heights, and pretty much every attraction at places like Six Flags involves going up very high and dropping very fast, any amusement park is terrifying.
And finally we come to my favorite. I loved this scarecrow as soon as I saw it, but I decided to walk past it and take a look at the other scarecrows in the area before I crowned it my personal winner. It stands proudly outside the door of its creator, the Old Wethersfield Country Store. Not only do I love the colors and the representations of the moon and the stars, but the disco ball up top really sets it off. It’s like a funky version of the Headless Horseman from the Ichabod Crane stories.
I only made it as far as Church street before I decided to stop and enjoy some food. I can’t show you all of the scarecrows — you’re gonna have to take a walk yourself down Main Street to see the wonderfully creative, and sometimes actually frightening, scarecrows yourself.
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The 29th Annual Scarecrows Along Main will be on display through the end of the month.
Jamil kicks off the new theater season by seeing a production at Trinity College.
