Trail of Scarecrows
Join the 2026 Gabis Arboretum Trail of Scarecrows – Artists Edition!
Registration Deadline: September 19
This fall, Gabis Arboretum invites you to celebrate the world of art and bring legendary artists to life, scarecrow style! Our annual Trail of Scarecrows is back with a new theme: Artists. Whether you’re inspired by classic masters, modern visionaries or local artistic icons, this is your chance to transform the Arboretum into an outdoor gallery filled with imaginative scarecrow creations.
Please review the guidelines below before registering.
Register to Display a Scarecrow
Theme Ideas Include:
- Famous Artists like Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso or Georgia O’Keeffe
- Artistic Movements such as Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism or Pop Art
- Iconic Works recreated as scarecrow displays, inspired by paintings like Starry Night, The Persistence of Memory, Mona Lisa or American Gothic
Who can Participate?
- Everyone! Individuals, families, schools, clubs, businesses and community groups are all welcome to join and create their own scarecrow for display at Gabis Arboretum.
Why Join?
- Showcase your creativity
- Promote your group or business
- Be part of a beloved community tradition
- Compete for prizes and bragging rights!
Event Dates and Registration Info:
- Last day to register: September 19
- Drop Off Dates: September 21 to 25
- Display and Voting: October 4 to 31
- Pickup Dates: November 1 to 4
- 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 for 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 for Civil Rights at civilrights@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2337.