Outstanding in their field: Scarecrows take over Bernardston park for 22nd annual festival

BERNARDSTON — No crows were seen in Cushman Park over the weekend as 31 scarecrows populated the green space in Bernardston. The annual Scarecrow in the Park returned to Bernardston for the 22nd year, with the straw-filled creations competing in seven categories.

According to Bernardston Kiwanis Club President Joel Cole, the business category was one of the biggest hits this year, with nearly 15 businesses contributing scarecrows. This was the second year that businesses could submit scarecrows for the competition, with Cole saying that the addition of this category is just one of the ways that Scarecrow in the Park has evolved since its inception.

“We didn’t have the vendors at first; it was just a small, hometown little thing,” Cole said. “We’ve incorporated a Halloween party, we’ve got the school into it. … We have music all day, and these guys are all volunteers coming in, they play for 45-minute sets. It’s wonderful. People like the scarecrow aspect of it, and the scarecrows have evolved. They’re really elaborate now.”

In that same theme of evolution, the United Church of Bernardston had a food booth at Cushman Park for the first time, while also hosting the inaugural Heavenly Harvest Chili Cook-Off. According to church member and Bernardston resident Justin Lawrence, the food booth was a big hit on Saturday.

While a ribbon, certificate and bragging rights were the original prizes for the winners of the chili competition, Lawrence added that the chefs of the winning chilis also receive seats at the United Church of Bernardston’s roast beef supper.

“It was a really great showing [on Saturday] for the potato booth, we sold out and had to go back to the church and make 20 more, and then we sold those. People were really digging the baked potatoes,” Lawrence said. “We’ve heard a lot of great things from some of the vendors about offering breakfast in the morning as they’re setting up. So, it’s been great.”

Aside from the vendors, music and, of course, scarecrows, a children’s play area was set up behind the music tent. Children painted pumpkins, kicked soccer balls and waved balloon swords throughout Cushman Park, some getting into mock sword fights with the balloon blades.

“I have my 2-year-old here, my 3-year-old here,” Alyson Huber said while waiting in line for fried dough. She added that her favorite part of the event was “probably” the scarecrows, with all of the different designs populating the park.

“And the food. You can’t go wrong with the food,” Huber added.

Across the street, at the Bernardston Senior Center, a team of volunteers facilitated a raffle with more than 100 locally donated prizes. Kelly Nichols, whose mother is on the Bernardston Council on Aging, says the event was very successful for the Senior Center as of Sunday morning.

Nichols has been helping the senior center with its raffle for the past several years.

“We have great volunteers, and the community has really come out to support us like they have in past years,” Nichols said. “I love this event. I love coming out, I love seeing the people that come back every year, I recognize the names of the people that win. It’s just a great time to get out to see the community, to see people that I haven’t seen since last year.”

On the first day of Scarecrow in the Park, Nichols made her way over to Cushman Park after the raffle closed on Saturday.

“I love to be here, but I ran over at 3 p.m. [Saturday],” Nichols said. “The Scarecrow in the Park from the Bernardston Kiwanis Club is an amazing fundraiser for them as well. They are a great program, also for our community, they really do a lot. They’re amazing … it’s really a great community event for everyone.”

The first full day of Scarecrow in the Park had less-than-ideal weather, with wind and clouds giving the air a bit of a chill. However, according to Cole, the first full day was still a success.

“It’s going well, we didn’t have a record-smashing crowd [on Saturday], but it was nice and steady, all the vendors were happy with sales,” Cole said. “[Sunday] morning, the sun’s out, no wind, big difference.”

Proceeds raised from the event support the Bernardston Kiwanis Club’s many scholarships that it offers to graduating high school seniors. After the Northfield Kiwanis dissolved in the summer of 2025, Cole said that the Bernardston branch has expanded to offer scholarships to students in Northfield as well.

He added that his favorite part of the event were the scarecrows themselves.

“It brings a uniqueness to what we’re doing,” Cole said. “I’m not a creative person, I’m a hands-on guy, so I love people who have those skills that I don’t have. If you can sing and play an instrument, I love that. … What a great event. You can bring a class down here, or a family comes down here to see a scarecrow, it’s just wonderful to have.”

The general consensus from those in attendance was that if you build it, they will come.

“I actually grew up in Worcester County,” attendee Emma Jones said. “It’s a new experience being in a smaller area with more community.”

“We love it,” Huber concurred. “We’ll see you back next year.”

The following scarecrows were chosen as winners by a panel of judges:

• Scariest — “Headless Bikeman” by Byron Call.
• Prettiest — “Ms. Dolly” by Maureen Shaw.
• Funniest — “I’m so blue because I’m bored” by Luanne.
• Best Use of Materials — “As the crow flies” by the Bernard and Laprade families.
• Business — “Porta Party” by Carsons Cans LLC.
• Reading — “Where the wild things are” by Lindsay Flanders Skelton’s third-grade class at Bernardston Elementary School.
• Judges Choice — “Fiddleheads Gallery” by the Deerfield Valley Art Association.