Ottawa Scarecrow Festival

08/30/2026

The Scarecrow Competition registration is up and ready to go! Humankind Initiative is opening the Competition County-wide, and there will be a digital map of all Scarecrow locations. You can even compete for Most Haunted Yard!

For more info, and to register, head to https://forms.gle/iV3bAAcxBJvrLmvu6

Are you ready to compete for the best Scarecrow in the County? Or even the Most Haunted Yard?

Humankind Initiative has been passed the torch on the Ottawa Scarecrow Competition, and we are making it bigger than ever! All submissions will be displayed in front of the home/location of the Competitor and we will have a digital map so everyone can drive around and enjoy them all and place their votes. (those who cannot display them at home will be displayed in Washington Park in Ottawa). Folks will also be able to view all submissions on our website if they can't drive around and see them all.

Prizes will be awarded to the winners in all categories. If you would like to sponsor a prize, get in touch with us!

If you want to compete, go to https://forms.gle/iV3bAAcxBJvrLmvu6 and register. or follow the link in the comments below. This is open to any family/individual, school, business, or organization/nonprofit in LaSalle County!

07/17/2026

Hello, everyone! I have received a lot of messages asking about Scarecrow Fest for 2026, so I thought it was time for an official update.

So many changes have happened in town, and new events are added all the time! Downtown Ottawa has had the good fortune of having a variety of festivals and events throughout the year--I dare you to say, "There's nothing to do!"

Did you know that Ottawa Fall Fest & Parade is in its 5th year?? This event captures the great spirit of Fall and Community and is, historically, the Sunday after Scarecrow Fest. Their team brings more and more each year, and it is fantastic!

That being said, after 40 years of Ottawa tradition, we here at Scarecrow Fest think that Fall Fest has created something special for the beginning of the season and that they will be able to provide you with plenty of memories to kick start Fall. 🍁🍁🎃🎃

As for the Scarecrow Competition, we DEFINITELY want to keep that alive!! We are proud to announce that local nonprofit, Humankind Initiative, will be taking over a City-wide Scarecrow Competition to keep that tradition alive (and help raise funds for an important cause at the same time!). So keep your eyes peeled for Scarecrow Registration--this time the submissions will not only be throughout Downtown...but throughout the County, on a full-scale, fully-mapped, hybrid Competition! Stay tuned!

10/05/2025

These fine folks(and additional kid competitors not pictured!) put it all out there yesterday for the Community Food Basket of Ottawa and helped raise $145 just by eating a piece of pie!! And we most definitely have the video that captures the moment where Evelyn realized her tooth fell out. Thank you to 103.9 WLPO, Mark Lippert, and Brandon LaChance for joining us for the fun. If you would like to make a donation to the Community Food Basket of Ottawa, you can visit www.ottawafoodbasket.org and do it directly on their website. Monetary donations are so vital for what they need on a daily basis. Thank you again, everyone!

10/05/2025

And the People's Choice goes to.......

Illinois Valley Vixens Short Track Roller Derby with their Forrest Bump! Great job, ladies--congrats! The People's Choice vote was SUPER close--3 different scarecrows were neck and neck.

Congrats again to all of our winners!

10/05/2025

Even more scarecrows from today! Who doesn't love Miss Frizzle?

10/04/2025

Alright! Here is the first photo drop! The first 4 photos are our winners--our People's Choice will be announced a bit later. Enjoy!

10/04/2025

So many great scarecrows were in town today! Our judges made their final selections and here are our winners (People's Choice will be announced after voting ends!):

1st Place Family/Individuals: Eric Hylin

Nonprofit 1st Place: Reddick Library

1st Place Business: Paquette Photography
2nd Place Business: Rivers Roots
3rd Place Business Midland States Bank

1st Place Schools/Education: R.O.E 35
2nd Place Schools/Education: Jefferson Elementary
3rd Place School/Education: Menta LaSalle School

Congrats to everyone! We will be in touch with your prizes!

10/03/2025

You can pick up a copy of the Scarecrow Competition map and go take a look at all of the submissions when you visit us tomorrow! We will have maps available at the booth near the Kid Zone (the HumanKIND booth).

Once you find your favorite, come back and vote for People's Choice! You will be entered into a raffle when you place your vote.

See you tomorrow!

10/03/2025

Save time to stop by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 during Ottawa Scarecrow Festival --they are right across from Washington Park and are going to be outside with live music, food, and friendly faces! Help them celebrate Fall and raise money for the Honor Flight. Also, stop by the American Legion tent by the fountain in Washington Park and learn about what the Legion has to offer all ages of Veterans.

10/03/2025

If you want to participate in the pet costume contest on Saturday, bring your fur baby (or scaly/feathered...baby?) to Washington Park by the Fountain at 11:45am so we can get you registered to compete! The costume parade and judging will begin around noon, when everyone is lined up and ready to go!