Building your Scarecrow: Hints & Tips
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The theme of the 2018 annual Scarecrow Competition and Trail is 'Once Upon a Bookcase'. If you're considering making a scarecrow for this year’s Burley Summer Festival, here are some general ideas that may help you achieve a great result...
PLAN: Start to think of ideas: this is key to the success of your Scarecrow – you don’t want to have the same concept as half the village…! Think about where to display the scarecrow: How can you use your environment to best display the scarecrow: could trees, walls, garden furniture, etc make the scarecrows more visible or more enjoyable? Burley businesses and organisations: can you use a scarecrow to promote your business. |
PREPARE:
Start collecting/ collating materials. We especially love the traditional scarecrow but don’t be afraid to use whatever is available. Maybe old clothes, cuddly toys, etc from the loft or a charity shop would work. If you wish, craft shops and general stores have some great materials such as polystyrene balls, spray paints, wigs, etc. Pull together a scarecrow tool kit from items around the house and garage – include kitchen scissors, pliers, sewing kit, screwdrivers, duct tape (my favourite), fishing wire, etc in preparation. Traditional Scarecrows use a wooden frame skeleton, straw stuffed into hessian sacks or old tights to form limbs. Consider using chicken wire mesh to provide extra shape and support? |
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PRESENT:
The day before – ensure everything is complete and ready to go… Think about what order you will put out each component. Have spare string, fishing wire, tape, etc just in case – considering keeping an emergency repair kit close to hand just in case
THE BIG REVEAL (no later than 6pm, Friday 18th August to be ready for Saturday). Hope for dry weather – putting up a display in the rain is not fun. Place the components then look at them from the view of the audience. Amend, if necessary, then firmly secure the items in place: it’s Yorkshire so it will be wet and windy at some point! When everything is done get a nice cup of tea, sit back and admire your work.
The day before – ensure everything is complete and ready to go… Think about what order you will put out each component. Have spare string, fishing wire, tape, etc just in case – considering keeping an emergency repair kit close to hand just in case
THE BIG REVEAL (no later than 6pm, Friday 18th August to be ready for Saturday). Hope for dry weather – putting up a display in the rain is not fun. Place the components then look at them from the view of the audience. Amend, if necessary, then firmly secure the items in place: it’s Yorkshire so it will be wet and windy at some point! When everything is done get a nice cup of tea, sit back and admire your work.
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Keep an eye on your scarecrow during the week: they may need some care and love.
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Get out and take a look at the competition - and maybe start to think about next year!
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