The Gladstone Scarecrows Big Day Out, running this year on Saturday November 7th, occurs in the peak of spring time when Wairarapa’s rural outlook is at its best.The countryside wakes fresh and shimmering from its winter slumber and the locals get ready to ‘let loose the larakin within’ to entertain visitors with their annual scarecrow display, scarecrow ‘scamper’ fun run, scarecrow spring ball and school scarecrow fair.
Each year at this time Gladstone Country’s fields are inhabited by resident scarecrows returning the stares of curious onlookers. The scarecrows range from humble creatures created in the image of the traditional bird-scaring device, through to creative masterpieces crafted by talented local artists, and topical or tongue-in-cheek renditions of politicians and public figures.
The original Scarecrow Festival was the brain-child of ‘Chief-Executive-Scarecrow’ Greg Lang of the Gladstone Wheelwright Shop and has run annually since 1998. The Scarecrows Big Day Out is now run by Friends of Gladstone School (FOGS).
Scarecrow events for 2009 all take place on the one day on Saturday November 7th and include the Scarecrow Fair at Gladstone School from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This is the perfect example of a good old-fashioned country fair! The Scarecrow Fair is the major annual fundraiser for the school and has many art, craft and culinary stalls on offer as well as live music, auctions and prize draws for your entertainment. Good rural fun like “guess the weight of the pig” and mouse racing ensure that this fair is unique.
The School also plays host to the ‘Scarecrow Scamper’, a themed fun-run with an early briefing and start at Gladstone School. Fancy-dress is optional, but dressing up as your zaniest scarecrow gets you in the running for spot prizes. The scamper course covers picturesque parts of the district across private property not normally accessible to the public. There is a 5 kilometre option as well as the full 10 kilometres, and walking the course is acceptable for those who’d rather take the time to simply enjoy the scenery.
Visit www.gladstone.org.nz to learn more about Gladstone and the Scarecrows Big Day Out and details for the various events.
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