Trail of Scarecrows

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the 15th Annual Trail of Scarecrows!

2024 winners

2024 Trail of Scarecrow winners from left to right: First place, Wood Adventure Club, Polish Volleyball; Second place, Elliott Adventure Club, Boxing; Third place, Bibich Adventure Club, Track and Field

School groups, scouts, businesses, families and other groups create scarecrows on display during October at the arboretum. Entries were on display from October 4 through October 31, Halloween!

Photos of the scarecrows are posted on social media, with guests voting for their favorites. Pictures with the most likes win!

Please review the guidelines below before registering.

Event Dates & Registration Info

Last day to Register

September 20

Drop Off Dates

September 22 through 26

Display and Voting

October 4 through 31

Lights, Camera… Scarecrows!

Join the 2025 Gabis Arboretum Trail of Scarecrows – Movie Magic Edition!

This fall, Gabis Arboretum invites you to step into the spotlight and bring your favorite films to life—scarecrow style! Our annual Trail of Scarecrows is back with a blockbuster twist: Movie Magic. Whether you’re a fan of timeless classics or modern hits, this is your chance to recreate iconic characters, unforgettable scenes or entire cinematic worlds using scarecrows.

Theme Ideas Include:

Classic Characters like Harry Potter, Dorothy from Oz, or Annie
Modern Favorites like Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, or Spider-Man
Epic Scenes from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, or Lawrence of Arabia

First prize: 10 free one-time use passes to the Gabis Arboretum
Second prize: 7 free one-time use passes to the Gabis Arboretum
Third prize: 5 free one-time use passes to the Gabis Arboretum

Any school class, group, business or family is welcome to participate.
Entries must be original and not pre-made.
Each entry must include a scarecrow name.
Gabis Arboretum will install all scarecrows.
Steel posts will be provided by the arboretum and will be capable of supporting the scarecrow in a freestanding or seated manner.
All scarecrow submissions must be backed by a 2×4 piece of wood to attach the base.
Scarecrow base will not exceed 3.5 ft in width or length.
Height is limited to 6 ft tall.
Do not include live plant material, mulch, Tiki torches, flammable objects or gas/electric powered generators with your entries.
Gabis Arboretum reserves the right to use photographs, school names, contact names and scarecrow names for publicity purposes.
Entries must be suited for viewing by small children. Entries that are controversial, commercial, political or graphic (sexual/gory/scary) in nature will not be accepted.
Three top winners will be chosen by popular vote from the public. Pictures of the scarecrow will be posted on Facebook and likes will count as votes.
Gabis Arboretum reserves the right to remove any scarecrow that deteriorates to an unacceptable level during the month. Please make your submission as weather-proof and indestructible as possible!
Gabis Arboretum is not responsible for loss or damage to scarecrows while on display or in the drop-off/pick-up areas. Please do not use valuable materials/objects as the scarecrows will not be monitored.
Scarecrow pick-up is November 1 through November 4. Any remaining scarecrows will be discarded.

To request a disability-related accommodation, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at civilrights@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2163 five days prior to the event.

In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University’s educational programs, services and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or status as a veteran. See Purdue’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at civilrights@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2337.