Join the 2026 Scarecrow Trail
The Call for ‘Crows is now open!
The Scarecrow Trail is a beloved autumn tradition at Huntsville Botanical Garden, where families, community groups, schools, nonprofits, and businesses showcase their creativity by designing unique scarecrows for display throughout the Garden during Festi-fall. Thousands of members and guests visit the Garden each fall to enjoy the trail and celebrate the season.
Theme
This year’s theme is “The Garden Watchers.” During the day, your scarecrow will be part of the festive autumn experience for Garden guests. Then, for select evenings during October, the Scarecrow Trail will become part of the Garden’s nighttime Spellbound experience, where the scarecrows will be illuminated after dark and take on a more magical, mysterious presence.
Participants are encouraged to create imaginative “watcher” characters inspired by the Garden, autumn, fantasy, folklore, nature, or the whimsical spirit of Spellbound. Your scarecrow can be spooky, funny, magical, mysterious, elegant, or playful—but it should feel like a guardian or character that belongs in the enchanted world of the Garden after dusk.
All scarecrow designs should be family-friendly and appropriate for guests of all ages.
Participation Rules & Guidelines
- Scarecrows must be built using the T-frame provided by the Garden to allow for easy installation.
- Participants are responsible for transporting and installing their scarecrow in the Garden. Garden staff will assist in locating your designated display space, where a post will be provided for installation.
- All scarecrows should be constructed with durable, weather-resistant materials.
- Do not use live plants or real pumpkins, as they deteriorate quickly.
- Scarecrows that become excessively damaged or deteriorated may be removed from the trail.
- Please use materials you do not expect to be returned. The Garden is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
- Participants must provide the following for the display signage provided by the Garden.
- Their name (or group/organization name)
- The name of their scarecrow
- Organization’s website (if applicable)
- Additional signage, pamphlets, promotional materials, or handouts are not permitted.
- All scarecrows must be family-friendly and suitable for guests of all ages.
- Entries depicting controversial, political, offensive, or overtly commercial content will not be accepted.
- The Garden reserves the right to refuse any entry.
- By participating, entrants grant the Garden permission to photograph and use images of their scarecrow for marketing and promotional purposes.
Entry Donation
There is no fee to apply. If selected, the following entry donation will be due by August 14, 2026:
| Category | Entry Donation |
|---|---|
| Businesses, Individuals, or Groups (Non-Members) | $250 |
| Garden Members | $200 |
| Schools & Nonprofits | $100 |
The Garden provides the T-frame. All additional materials are the responsibility of the entrant.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 1 | Call for Crows Opens |
| August 7 | Applications Due |
| August 10 | Accepted participants notified & T-frames available |
| August 14 | Entry donation due |
| August 31 | Completed scarecrows due to the Garden |
| September 1 | Scarecrow Trail opens |
| September 1 – October 31 | Scarecrows on display in the Garden |
| October 22 | Social media contest winners announced |
| November 1 | Participants dismantle scarecrows and return T-frames |
| November 3 | Remaining scarecrows removed and materials disposed of by Garden staff |
Benefits of Participating
- Support the Garden’s mission to connect people to plants and improve quality of life throughout the region.
- Company or group name featured on signage beside your scarecrow during high-traffic Festi-fall events.
- Opportunity to participate in a social media contest, with winners determined by audience engagement and likes.