2026 Scarecrow Registration


2026 Scarecrow Registration
Date/Time
Registration Begins
8/31/2026 8:00 AM
Last Day To Register
9/30/2026 5:00 PM
Location
2111 West Park Avenue
Orange, TX 77630, US
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At present, this event is full. Please check back periodically for potential openings or contact Shangri La Gardens for further assistance.

 

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center 16th Annual Scarecrow Festival and Autumn Fair

GENERAL RULES AND INFORMATION

 

Important Dates and Information:

To participate in the 2026 Scarecrow Festival, and to ensure official acknowledgment and approval of your entry, register no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29 , 2026. Registration is limited to 50 participants. Once registration is full, those interested in participating may email info@shangrilagardens.org to be added to the waitlist.

 

ALL scarecrow entries must be installed Thursday, October 1, 2026  (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.), Friday, October 2 , 2026  (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and/or Saturday, October 3 , 2026 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.). There will be no scarecrow entry set up on October 4  & 5 , 2026 . **Please note that scarecrow sites are assigned by lottery. When participants arrive at Shangri La Gardens to install scarecrows, they should proceed to the registration table to sign in and receive a randomly-assigned site number.

 

All scarecrow entries must be removed by participants following the conclusion of Shangri La’s Autumn Fair on Saturday, October 24 , 2026  (3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.), or on Tuesday/Wednesday, October 27-28  (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Any entries that remain as of Thursday, October 29, 2026, will be removed and disposed by Shangri La Gardens staff.

 

General Rules for Entry in the Scarecrow Festival:

  1. Individuals (18 years of age) or groups may enter a scarecrow in the Scarecrow Festival. Examples of group participants may include youth groups, adult groups, civic organizations, community groups, school groups, school classes, church groups, businesses, or families.

 

  1. The contest is limited to one entry per person or group. There is no entry fee. Online registration is required.

 

  1. Scarecrows should be created using recycled materials wherever possible. Rubber, plastic or store-bought masks are not allowed. Hazardous items are prohibited, including sharp objects, tiki torches, candles, gas-powered generators or other flammable objects.

 

  1. Each entry must be designed for outdoor display and constructed to withstand all weather conditions. Scarecrows must be firmly packed and/or tied down. Participants should avoid using items like paper or cardboard that is not properly sealed or waterproofed. It is highly recommended that scarecrow exhibit materials are secured together by ties or other hardware because adhesives, such as hot glue, super glue, etc., may fail when exposed to the elements, i.e. heat, humidity, and/or high winds. If fresh produce is used, participants should replace it as necessary.

 

  1. NO STAKES. A scarecrow must be designed to either stand or sit on its own props, which must be provided by participants. Scarecrows may NOT be propped against or tied to garden fixtures, trees, or other landscaping. Props will not be provided by Shangri La Gardens. Alternatives to staking might include, but are not limited to: creating a sturdy base/foundation to secure posts, using a brace or frame, using weights, and/or sitting scarecrow on prop such as a chair, bale of hay, etc.

 

  1. Entries must be no taller than 7’ 6” and must fit into a space no larger than 25 square feet (5’ x 5’). Participants must place and fit their scarecrow as well as all related props/materials in the assigned site. This requirement will be strictly enforced to ensure safe access and protection of plants and/or irrigation in the gardens.

 

  1. When designing a scarecrow, please keep in mind that NO vehicles are permitted into the gardens, and scarecrow components must be transported to their designated exhibit site via carts, wagons, and/or dollies. Shangri La Gardens may provide participants with one wagon per exhibit site, but wagons will be available on a first come, first served basis.

 

  1. When designing a scarecrow, please remember that the Scarecrow Festival and Autumn Fair are events for children of all ages. Scarecrows may be funny, scary, or quirky, but they must also be in good taste. Excessively violent themes, offensive, crude, or derogatory components are not permitted. Scarecrows that reflect controversial, political or religious themes are not permitted. Shangri La Gardens, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to reject or remove any entry that fails to meet these standards.

 

  1. All entries should be labeled with a sign no larger than 11” x 17” and should also reflect the name of the entrant, if different. Scarecrow names are subject to the prior review and/or approval of Shangri La Gardens’ staff and may not contain any political or religious statements or connotations, nor any offensive, crude, discriminatory, or derogatory terms or expressions. Businesses and organizations may incorporate the use of a company name; however, no handouts, promotional materials, advertisements, or giveaways may be associated with any entry.

 

  1. Participants must display, inspect, and maintain their scarecrow throughout the entire length of the Scarecrow Festival and Autumn Fair, a period of about one month. While participants are encouraged to monitor and maintain their entry on a regular basis, substantial changes to the entry after installation are not permitted.

 

  1. Shangri La Gardens may, at its sole discretion, make minor repairs, replacements and/or adjustments to a scarecrow if the scope of activity does not alter the scarecrow. Even so, participants remain responsible for ensuring that their scarecrow remains intact, presentable, and properly installed. Any entry deemed by Shangri La Gardens to be in poor condition or improperly maintained may be removed, as determined at the discretion of Shangri La Gardens’ staff.

 

  1. Shangri La Gardens is not responsible for any damage to or loss associated with scarecrows or any decorative items or ancillary components that may be installed at a scarecrow site.

 

  1. All scarecrows in the contest will be judged by category based on popular votes made by visitors to Shangri La Gardens during the Scarecrow Festival and Autumn Fair. Categories include Business I (50 employees or fewer), Business II (50 employees), School, Organization (Civic/Community Group), Individual, Family, and Church. Each entry will be judged against other entries in the same category and placed according to the total number of votes received.

 

  1. The voting period for the Shangri La Scarecrow Festival will be from 9 a.m. on October 7, 2025 through Noon on October 25, 2025. Votes will be cast electronically at www.shangrilagardens.org and voting is open to the public. All judging is final. Winners will be announced for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category based on the number of votes cast during the voting period.

 

  1. Additional recognition may be given for scarecrows that best reflect the mission of Shangri La Gardens and/or merit recognition for design/materials excellence, as determined solely at the discretion of Shangri La Gardens. Winners will be announced as part of the Autumn Fair on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 2 p.m.

 

  1. Names of winners and participants as well as images from the contest may be posted on Shangri La’s website or used in publicity or promotional materials for the Scarecrow Festival and Autumn Fair. By participating, entrants release and waive any rights to or interest in any images, recordings (video, audio, or both), or likenesses that may be obtained in connection with the Scarecrow Festival and grant Shangri La Gardens and Stark Cultural Venues the right to use any images, recordings, or likenesses related to or including participant’s scarecrow entry at Shangri La Gardens that may be made, without compensation to the participant, whether one or more.

Programs of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation. ©2016 All Rights Reserved.