Ingenious! The eyes flash as you approach it.
It must be Summer because it’s annual scarecrow festival time again in two of our local villages. Last year Elwick truly excelled themselves with a Royal Jubilee theme. Can a year have passed so quickly? This year we’re indulging Midsummer Madness.
I timed it very nicely on Sunday morning because within seconds of returning home it was bouncing with rain. Summer, Wimbledon fortnight (sorry Rafa), rain on your strawberries- it’s all one!
Welcome to Elwick!
The theme this year was Midsummer Madness.- here he is!
And that’s “his” foot you can see round the corner!
Almost every planter has one of these.
But there’s only one caterpillar!
Some ladies sat aloof on a bench
But Bertie Bassett was right there on the village green
And the Spotted Cow’s always in the thick of things
Snowmen at the beach- that’s definitely madness!
A hula-hula girl- that’s more like it.
The village shop went a little crazy!
And every scarecrow festival needs a pink pig, right?
The village shop was selling these little guys
And gals!
It’s a pretty village, don’t you think?
With its own Queen of the Fairies- Titania
The school’s entry featured Bottom, of course
And Puck!
While over the road things were going swimmingly!
Note the umbrella pointing to the sign.
Looking at those clouds it’s nearly time to run!
And that’s just half the story, because the two villages compete. In the interests of fairness I went to Castle Eden on Monday. It was a grey, surly day and some of the scarecrows had had a good soaking from the downpour. But the village spirit was still in evidence.
Cricket, anyone?
Another Bottom?
And Madness gets in everywhere!
It’s a smaller village than Elwick
But still has a lively sense of humour!
And a splash of colour here and there
Guess who?
I really like this old row of houses
With a more traditional scarecrow
Add a touch of whimsy
Barbecue time, or Christmas? I’m not sure.
But definitely not a beach day!
A good effort by both, I think you’ll agree? Next year we’ll plan the weather better. If you click on the galleries you’ll get my guided commentary. All part of the service! (with a smile) And if you still haven’t had enough of scarecrows, you can click the Royal Jubilee link for a look back at last year’s sumptuousness.
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restlessjo 
Looks like it was entertaining but I find these ‘people’ a little bit creepy. ;-). Although the chick in the bikini, well, she might spin some heads, even though she’s lost hers. YIKES!
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I know what you mean, Gem. I’m not keen on ghouls and waxworks, but hey, the sun was shining! (for a little while) 🙂
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Scarecrow Festival! First time I hear about it in my life! I guess scarecrows aren’t a big tradition in Brazil 🙂 really interesting.
If you don’t mind me asking, could you visit my blog? I started it a few days ago and I could use some helpful hints or just opinions.
Thank you.
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I surely will! Brazil is a country I would love to visit. Many thanks for finding mine. 🙂
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Thank you for taking the time to stop by 🙂 and we would love to have you, if you’re a beach fan, this could be a future destination 😉
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These are amazing, Jo! 😀
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Great fun, “British style”, Dianne. 🙂
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Love the MidSummer Madness. Fun, colorful, truly festive. I wish we have something like that in the U.S. during Summer. Thanks.
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You have all your parades and fairground rides. 🙂
Take good care.
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What a great festival! Such a fun competition and I admire the creativity. I really like the “mechanic” with his head in the hood of the Range Rover! Very funny. And I did look at the submissions from last year’s Jubilee. Very, very clever for the Queen’s celebration. Queen Victoria would have been my vote. 🙂
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I had lots of favourites. It’s always a day when I have a smile on my face. 🙂
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Never heard of a scarecrow exhibition, and these are very cute!
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Must be a wierdo English thing, but it is fun, Opalla. 🙂
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Bonkers – you crazy northerners!
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Things to do on a rainy day, Rich. (not!) 🙂
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Thank you for bringing the festival to us, Johanna! I can’t help to go back again and again… The truck guy is a creative one 🙂
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There’s a lot of effort and a lot of fun, Amy. So glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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And, they are so creative with great sense of humor 🙂
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These scarecrows are just amazing Jo and some are so funny indeed! I bet you enjoyed taking pictures of them! Great shots hon and thanks for sharing. 😀
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It’s great going round the village just before the judging starts, Sonel. Everyone wants to chat. (except when it’s raining!) 🙂
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Great pictures and the festival looks like so much fun!
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It must take ages to make some of them, Meg. Always lots of smiles. 🙂
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A great tour. Enjoyed all the characters and the pretty village.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Brilliant fun, isn’t it, Francine! I enjoy it so much. 🙂
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As someone who hasn’t been involved in anything like this, when I stumble across the scarecrows… they do as they say on the tin. It’s happened twice now and it does take me a while to realise there must be some kind of fete going on! I’m impressed with the quality though and I can imagine the competition!
Anna x
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The first time I came upon one was at Kettlewell down in the Dales, Anna. A lovely spot. But our 2 villages have been doing this for quite a few years now and it always makes me smile. 🙂
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What a fabulous collection of scarecrows, there’s some real hard work gone into making those 🙂 I know that from first hand experience.
When I worked in a local village, the company entered the village scarecrow competition and I was nominated to make them. I made one for each member of staff, dressed in the uniform……it got me out of working in the shop though 😉
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It must have taken weeks, Vicky!
I love the way the villagers throw themselves into this every year. The village shop (and post office) was selling the little ones to pop into flower planters for anyone who didn’t have time (or talent) to make one. 🙂
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Aren’t they all fabulous – tree huggers, ladies lounging, the man with his head in the car…fantastic, all of them!
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The villagers make a great effort every year, Tanya. I’m always impressed and come home with a smile on my face. 🙂
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these are all so great! i loved the bbq one, and the bikini as well!
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Some of them have a wicked sense of humour, Zee. I rather liked elegant Titania. They whisked her indoors when it started to rain! 🙂
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My eye really was caught with the long caterpillar…how adorable it was. This looks like a good time.
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Last year that wall had a crane with an upside down “builder” scarecrow suspended from it. They really do make an effort. 🙂
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you made me smile with the last picture 🙂
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Smiles were few and far between yesterday, Frizz. It was cool and grey.
Glad you liked it! 🙂
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I remember how I enjoyed last year’s – can a whole year have passed already? Wow. And wow to the two villages. For me, Castle Eden wins the prize – though that caterpillar is too fantastic. Does he blow smoke, do you think, Jo?
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I didn’t get to Castle Eden last year (the weather was even worse!) but I think they’ve done ok for such a small village. It straggles along one street instead of wrapping around a village green, like Elwick (the official winner for this year).
Yes, that’s one cool caterpillar, Meredith! Bubbles in a hookah, I think. 🙂
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So cute!
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I love them! So much work involved in some of them, too. 🙂
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li hai catturati tutti gli spaventapasseri? ma nella rete sono cadute anche altre bellissime prede!!!
poi ripasso con calma a gustarli
bacione grande maga!
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I captured as many as I could (but a few got away!) 🙂
Ciao, cara!
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