Spooky season is here, and the Santa Ynez Valley is getting ready to celebrate the 7th annual Scarecrow Fest and Contest.
The month-long contest kicked off today and runs until Oct. 31.
Businesses, residents and school organizations are encouraged to craft their own scarecrows for the competition.
The public is encouraged to vote for the best scarecrow in the field, then the best scarecrows in each town will then compete head-to-head for the Harvest Cup, best in the valley trophy.
The winner will be announced at a November 20.
Several towns in the Santa Ynez Valley are encouraged to participate including the towns of Ballard, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang.
The original contest was created to drive consumer traffic to each of the participating businesses, now it also helps the town get ready for fall.
“It’s fun, it’s festive, I feel like its fall now,” Santa Ynez Resident Alyssa Orth said.
