Scare-Crazy returns: Cashmere's spooky scarecrow contest

CASHMERE– As leaves begin to fall and October makes its annual arrival to North Central Washington, Cashmere residents and businesses are gearing up for a festive and fun local tradition, the Chamber of Commerce’s (COC) Scare-Crazy scarecrow competition.

Cashmere Scare-Crazy, now in its 11th year of celebrations, aims to showcase the local area's storefronts and residencies with a bit of friendly rivalry and crazy creativity. It invites anyone to register, craft, and display their own scarecrows throughout October.

With any Cashmere resident or business allowed to register, the COC makes a map of all participants and their scarecrow locations. Once Scare-Crazy is underway, locals can visit scarecrows around town and vote on their favorites. 

With themes ranging from traditional scarecrow to King Kong, Scare-Crazy participants are eager to show off their creative and wild ideas each year, hoping to claim a victory and bragging rights for the rest of the year.

Cashmere COC Office Manager Jackie Rector, preparing for her first Fall in Cashmere, was pleasantly surprised by the local excitement for Scare-Crazy.

“I do have to say, there’s a lot of enthusiasm for this amongst the community, as much as Founders Day,” Rector shared. “It seems like people and the businesses really get into it. Like Cashmere Valley Bank, who were trying to register at the end of August. And a week ago, they were already buying scarecrow stuff.”

For the top voted participants in the competition, the Chamber collects baskets full of donated items and merchandise from Cashmere businesses, amassing a cornucopia of local treats for winners to claim.

Categories for scarecrow judging are set to include Best Ensemble, Best Business Theme, Most Creative, and Grand Champion.

Registration for Scare-Crazy scarecrow locations ends September 30, and voting/touring is set to begin October 14 and run until Halloween, October 31, during daylight hours.

To learn more or to register for the competition, reach out to info@cashmerechamber.org or (509)782-7404.

Will Nilles: (509) 731-3211 or will@ward.media