This weekend kicked off Wanatah’s twentieth annual Scarecrow Festival. In celebration of autumn, the community came together once again to form a family-friendly festival with activities for those of all ages.
The three-day event began with a Scarecrow Festival Harvest Contest, sponsored by Kankakee Valley REMC. The contest was open to anyone with a passion for gardening or anyone with a green thumb. The categories included the tallest sunflower, heaviest pumpkin, largest ear of corn, largest zinnia, soybean stalk with most pods, largest tomato, most unusual gourd or squash or the largest watermelon.
Last night, members of the community were welcome to join at Wanatah School for a pork chop dinner sponsored by Salem United Church of Christ. The dinner consisted of pork chops, potatoes and green beans, apple sauce, rolls, homemade dessert and a beverage.
This morning, children ages two to nine were able to participate in the Scarecrow Scamper Kid’s Fun Run, which began at Main Street and stretched down the road.
At 11 A.M., the parade began at the Legion, including trucks, cars and floats. Along with plenty of vendors, Valpo ATA Black Belt Academy was a main attraction for many at 12 P.M. today, held in the Entertainment Tent. Valpo ATA demonstrated proper form, self-defense, weapons, board breaking, and a sparring demonstration.
“We love being in Wanatah. The Scarecrow Festival is one of the finest American small town festivals and we love being here; we really enjoy entertaining the crowd and teaching them skills such as self-defense,” said Jan Rubsam.
This is Valpo ATA’s fifth year demonstrating at the Wanatah Scarecrow Festival. The company, located at 52 Marks Road in Valparaiso, teaches classes such as martial arts, self-defense, kickboxing and bully prevention. Martial art classes may be taught to anyone ages four to adult, and also teaches beginners through fourth degree black belt.
At 1 P.M., the Cutest Baby Contest took place, with over thirty-nine babies altogether. Along with contests, the Talent and Scarecrow Dress-up Contest took place at 3 P.M.
However, contests were not the main attraction. Several vendors were located throughout the festival, selling festive decorations, clothes and other goodies.
Staci Burcham, owner and founder of Staci’s Beads & Jewelry, is proud to be a part of such a small town festival, and enjoys selling her products to others.
Burcham makes her own hand rolled paper beads, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, lanyards, purses and phone charms and many more.
“I refer to this as my full-time non-job. Making jewelry started off as a little hobby. I first started making hemp macramé jewelry seven years ago, which then evolved to making my own paper beads. This is my third year at the Scarecrow Festival. I love the environment, and the people are lovely,” said Burcham.
She is a crafter and artist at heart, and will continue to make jewelry for others in her free time.
Several of the booths at the festival consisted of handmade items, varying from jewelry to clothes, to even coffins. What once started as an idea ended up being a hot seller in the marketplace.
Cathy McClanahan has her own booth, consisting of crafts and a few new items. She crochets her own towels, but those were not as big of a hit as her Halloween coffins.
“When my son and I were thinking of new products to sell, we were originally thinking of Christmas items. I thought it was too early for that, so we began thinking of something to sell for Halloween. We decided on coffins. After he was laid off from work, and since he had more time, he decorated and constructed the coffins from scratch. The coffins are different sizes and shapes, but they all light up. This year, he made ten of them, and they are quite the seller,” said McClanahan.
This is her sixth year at the Scarecrow Festival. The amount of money made does not matter to her, for she enjoys the company of its people.
Kathy Wolford is owner of Kathy’s Kollectibles, a general store containing sports fleece pillows, aprons, dog bandanas, tissue covers, scarves and clothes. This is her seventeenth year selling at the Scarecrow Festival.
“I’ve always made things since I’ve been in grade school, and when I got married, my husband suggested I start selling these items. That was the beginning of a tradition and hobby,” said Wolford.
This evening, the Wanatah Lion’s Club will be hosting an all-you-can-eat fish fry held at Wanatah School. Meals consist of baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and dessert of cherry, apple or peach pie. Cost for adults is $9.00, children ages six to twelve $5.00 and preschoolers free. Carryouts are also available. The proceeds of the dinner go toward local projects. At 8.P.M., the American Legion will be hosting a karaoke contest.
Tomorrow morning at 8 A.M. at the Church Hall just east of Scarecrow Square, a pancake breakfast will be held, sponsored by Sacred Heart Church and Knights of Columbus.
Other activities such as a basketball tournament, car show, cloggers and queen contest will be held at later times tomorrow.
The twenty-first Wanatah Scarecrow Festival will be held next year on Sept. 26.