By KIM MLLER
Those who have been out and about in Cambria and San Simeon lately may have noticed some new, whimsical, goofy, and colorful faces! Yes, it is that time of year when the towns are visited by over 200 scarecrows for the annual Cambria Scarecrow Festival. These creative figures populate the streets and vacant lots and provide a magical experience for both locals and visitors throughout the entire month.
This year brings a host of fresh creations, alongside many favorites from previous years that have been reimagined and repurposed to keep the festival feeling new and exciting. All these unique creations are hand crafted by community members. “This year’s festival – our 16th! – features a new Fun and Games display, which showcases scarecrows enjoying popular games in a setting ideal for both fun and photo opportunities. This is already a huge hit with kids!”, exclaimed Patty Wallace Rixman, president of the Cambria Scarecrow Festival. “Also, along Cambria Drive, you will see a variety of traditional scarecrows made in our Make-It-In-A-Day workshop.”
Travel on Main Street and you will spy multicolored dragons creatively adorned flying over the skies of Cambria. These were made by local children in the Children’s Workshop offered through the Cambria Center of the Arts.
Keep an eye out for many new scarecrows in front of businesses. Favorites like the CambrAliens, El Encanto, and the Cambria Scarecrow Academy returned in different places. “You’ll find the Scarecrow Academy in San Simeon this year and because it’s an election year, it has a lively student class president campaign going on. Head there to see who is running,” Rixman advises. “While you’re there, check out some of our inventive creations along the frontage streets.”
Since its inception in 2009 that featured just 30 scarecrows, the festival has flourished from a weekend event held at the Cambria Historical Museum to a month-long celebration throughout the two towns. Donations of $100 or more include a free scarecrow for the business, and donations over $300 receives a special shout-out during the festival. It is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to draw more foot traffic.
The grand finale of the Cambria Scarecrow Festival will be a culinary celebration at Cambria Nursery and Florist on October 26, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dubbed “The Salute to Scarecrows! A Starlit Celebration of Food and Wine,” this event features delicious offerings and wines from local restaurants and wineries, live music for dancing under the stars, and prizes, and although costumes are not required, a contest will be held to choose the best ones. This event supports the Cambria Scarecrow Festival, a 501c(3) organization, and sells out quickly.
Tickets are on sale now at CambriaScarecrows.com/events. “We are excited about this year’s festival in scarecrow land,” Rixman exclaimed. “It truly captures the artistic spirit in our community.”
