BERNARDSTON — Bundled up in brown flannel and a hat, he stands unperturbed by the chilly fall air. Instead, he smiles and waves at passersby, who curiously approach to read the large wooden sign he holds.
For the second year, “Bernie,” a plywood scarecrow and the mascot of the Bernardston Kiwanis’ annual Scarecrow in the Park festival, is traveling to different locations around Franklin County to raise awareness of the event.
According to Bernardston Kiwanis Club member Andrew Girard, the club coined the “Where’s Bernie?” campaign last year, inspired by the book “Where’s Waldo?” “Bernie” is short for Bernardston, Girard said, and has nothing to do with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
“Everyone was trying to think of ways that we could build awareness of Scarecrow in the Park and promote the event in ways that would be different and eyecatching to people,” Girard said, adding that the club wanted to explore options other than handing out traditional fliers and running advertisements.
The club came up with the idea of having a scavenger hunt. The event mascot, “Bernie,” moves to different locations around Franklin County each week for five weeks leading up to Scarecrow in the Park, which will be held Oct. 22 and 23.
“People can have a little challenge every week trying to figure out where he is,” Girard said.
Once residents find “Bernie,” they can enter into a gift certificate raffle by texting a number on his sign. Girard said the Kiwanis Club works with WHAI radio station in Greenfield to offer the raffle and find places for “Bernie” to go.
Since Sept. 12, the start of this year’s “Where’s Bernie?” campaign, “Bernie” has been to Bernardston Farmer’s Supply, Foster’s Supermarket in Greenfield and Pine Hill Orchard in Colrain.