Trail Dates:

Saturday, October 3rd and run thru Sunday, October 25th.

Scarecrow Setup Dates:

Setup* for the ‘crows will be by appointment only on Monday, September 28th thru Thursday, October 1st from 9:00am – 4:30pm.

*New this year: As a special sponsorship benefit, our Presenting Sponsor and Saturday Sponsors can reserve their spot on the Trail before setup begins. Alley Sponsors and Scarecrow Steward Sponsors will receive priority access to select their setup time.

Setup signups open to everyone on Monday, September 21. Since scarecrow locations are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, the earlier your setup time, the more locations you’ll have to choose from!

Families & Non-Profits: $40 for Families and Non-Profits

Businesses: $75 for Businesses

Sponsors: Participation is included with all sponsorship levels! Of course, participating is completely optional. We love to see your creativity on the Trail, but if scarecrow-making isn’t in the cards this year, sponsorship is the easiest way to be represented!

Think your ‘crow has what it takes to win? Rally your team, customers and community to vote!

Trail visitors can vote for free once each day, or give their favorite ‘crow an extra boost with a donation to Lost River Cave. The more your supporters give, the more they help your ‘crow climb the leaderboard—and the more they help support the park!

Trail visitors choose the people’s choice 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ‘crows, while LRC staff will select their own Best in Show ‘Crow and award additional scarecrow superlatives.

1. Show Off Your Creativity: Whether spooky, silly, or spectacular, this is your chance to build a scarecrow masterpiece that’ll grab attention.

2. Be Seen by Thousands: Nearly 50,000 visitors will stroll the trail and see your scarecrow creation, making this the perfect exposure for your message, business, or community spirit!

3. Get Social Recognition: Your scarecrow could be featured to over 38,000+ Facebook followers and over 8,000+ followers on Instagram. You’ll be part of the buzz!

4. Win Awards: Stand out from the crowd! Exceptional scarecrows will have a chance to win special awards voted on by the trail visitors.

5. Bring Joy to the Community: Your scarecrow will help create an unforgettable fall experience for families and visitors while spreading seasonal cheer.

6. Support Lost River Cave: Your participation helps raise awareness and support for Lost River Cave’s conservation and outdoor education efforts.

7. Bragging Rights: Who wouldn’t want to say they had a scarecrow displayed at one of the area’s coolest fall events?

1 – It’s time to start building! We can’t wait to see what you come up with. Remember to check out the tips & tricks to learn from experience and make sure you are not disqualified unintentionally.

2 – For setup:  New this year!

• • Presenting and Saturday Sponsors can reserve their spot on the Trail before setup begins.
  • Alley and Scarecrow Steward Sponsors receive priority access to sign up for setup times.
  • All participants will receive an email to book their setup time on Monday, September 21. Because scarecrow locations are first come, first served, choosing an earlier setup time gives you more locations to choose from. If you’d like to take advantage of the sponsor priority, check out the Scarecrow Steward, Alley Sponsor, Saturday Sponsor, and Presenting level sponsorship opportunities.

3 – Start rallying your supporters! Get your team, customers, friends, and family ready to vote for your scarecrow when voting opens on October 3rd. All participants will be emailed a link to their voting page. Remember, each person can vote for free once per day, with the option to give your scarecrow an extra boost through donation-based votes.

• No hay bales allowed: Using hay bales in your display will result in automatic disqualification from the competition.
• Environmentally friendly materials only: Any materials deemed harmful to the environment are not permitted.
• No tires are allowed in your display.
• No fake cobwebs: Fake cobwebs are not permitted as birds and insects can get trapped in them.
• Schedule your installation: Scarecrow installation is by appointment only, so please book your slot in advance.
• Be ready for installation: Your scarecrow must be fully completed by your scheduled installation day.
• Location assignments: Scarecrow locations will be determined on the day of installation.
• Keep it tasteful: Scarecrows should be in good taste. Entries reflecting controversial social or political issues will not be accepted.
• Weatherproof your ‘crow: Scarecrows should be sturdy and able to withstand outdoor weather conditions.
• No promotional materials: Handouts, promotional items, or giveaways are not permitted with any entry.
• Display duration: Your scarecrow must remain on display until Sunday, October 25th.
• Clean-up requirement: All parts of your scarecrow and display (tables, props, etc.) must be collected when you pick up your scarecrow.
• Large displays: If your display is large, please ensure you make arrangements to pick it up.

The Scarecrow Trail will open on Saturday, October 3rd and run through Sunday, October 25th. Trails are open from dawn to dusk.

The Scarecrow Trail begins at the Lost River Greenway Trailhead (back of the gravel parking lot) and will continue on to the valley trails. A note on trail accessibility: The Scarecrow Trail event features a paved, accessible portion for strollers and individuals with mobility needs. However, please note that the parking area closest to the trailhead is gravel. To avoid the gravel, park in the paved lot and take the paved path all the way to the trailhead. The portion of the Scarecrow Trail in the valley includes areas of gravel, roots, dirt, and uneven terrain.

Be sure to check out the Gift Shop to purchase your Scarecrow Trail swag.

It’s 100% free to walk the Scarecrow Trail! 🎃

But if you find a ‘crow you love, you can help give it a boost on the leaderboard—and support Lost River Cave at the same time! Visitors can vote for their favorite scarecrows once per day for free, with the unlimited option to donate-to-vote.

Look for QR codes along the Trail to cast your votes and help your favorite ‘crow climb the leaderboard! Every dollar donated helps keep the Scarecrow Trail and other experiences at Lost River Cave free for our community.

Voting is always optional, but your support makes a difference!

• Trail Accessibility: The Scarecrow Trail event features a paved, accessible portion for strollers and individuals with mobility needs. However, please note that the parking area closest to the trailhead is gravel. To avoid the gravel, park in the paved lot and take the paved path all the way to the trailhead. The portion of the Scarecrow Trail in the valley includes areas of gravel, roots, and uneven terrain.
• Parking: Our parking lot can fill up quickly, so keep an eye out for signs directing you to our extended parking area in the field. Best of all, parking is free!
• Food: Trailside Treats will be open at the trailhead! Fuel your adventure with warm snacks, fall favorites like Butterscotchbeer and Apple Cider Slushes, and tasty soft serve ice cream served in a convenient, mess-free pouch!
• Donations Welcome: If you love the trail, consider donating to help keep it free for everyone!
• Attire: Dress for the weather and wear comfy shoes—amazing scarecrows will be waiting to be explored!
• Scarecrow Spotting: Don’t forget to take photos with your favorite scarecrows and vote online for your favorite!
• Family-Friendly: Great for all ages—bring the kids for some fun and spooky sights!
• Nature’s Neighbors: Please stay on the trails and be mindful of the surrounding environment. Leave no trace!