Festi-Mill of Scarecrows – a Kids Event
Saturday, October 12, 10am – 1pm
NEW LOCATION – The Arvada Flour Mill – 5590 Olde Wadsworth Blvd.
Scarecrows will take over the property as we celebrate the 28th annual Festival of Scarecrows, now called the Festi-Mill (a festival at the mill, get it?). This year’s event will be downsized due to space constraints but will include many of the favorite activities that kept this festival so popular for so long:
Scarecrow contest – everyone is invited to let their creative juices flow to create a scarecrow and bring it to the Mill yard for setup for the contest. The event participants will view all the scarecrows and vote for their favorites. Because it is at the mill, scarecrows can be set up on the farm equipment or anywhere on the property. No fee to enter the contest. WE NEED YOUR SCARECROW! (See below.)
Kids costume parade (11:30am) – kids gather at the mill, in costume or not, and we’ll make a parade up to Grandview and Olde Wadsworth to show Olde Town our kids spirit! Parents are encouraged to join the parade!
Kids crafts and activities – We’ll have some fun activities for the young ones to enjoy.
Scarecrow adoption – A limited number scarecrows are available for adoption. An adoption certificate will be issued. Scarecrows need a home too! Small fee for adoption.
Scarecrow stories – Let’s spend a little quiet time listening to some scarecrow stories.
Farm equipment quiz – Test your knowledge of the various types of farm equipment displayed at the mill.
Learn about our wheat field – We’ve just planted some winter wheat that we hope to harvest in next summer. Come see and learn about winter wheat and its connection to the Flour Mill.
Games – Try your hand at a few games we’ll have set up around the area.
Photo Ops – Our lovely memorial garden is the perfect place to take photos with your family against a fall backdrop.
Check out the Flour Mill – Never been inside? Get a limited preview of the mill as the first floor will be open to all. For a full Flour Mill tour, you’ll need to request that at arvadahistory@outlook.com.
Snacks! – All this activity making you hungry? We’ll have some snacks for purchase but for a full lunch, the Olde Town restaurants got you covered.
SCARECROW CONTEST PARTICIPANTS
Want to make a scarecrow but not sure how? Well, anything (non-offensive) goes! It can be any character you want, living or imaginary. Large or small. Standing, seated, laying. Your choice.
Just gather up some materials, a lot of which you already have, and let your creative juices flow. A flannel shirt, an old pair of jeans, a box or some stuffing for a torso, some burlap, a ball or something round for the head. Accessories that you choose. Once you get started, it will come together!
Remember, we are doing this for fun! There are no good or bad scarecrows, we love them all!
PARKING AND SITE
The RTD parking hub is next door to the mill. You may park for free by registering your license plate at the kiosk and selecting “Olde Town visitor”. Our suggestion is to park on the west end of the top level. Walk down the steps, turn right and you are at the event!
The festival will be mainly outside. The yard is large and has plenty of shaded area in addition to plenty of sunny areas. Attendees may go into the mill if they wish but activities will be outside.