(VINELAND, NJ) -- The skies were cloudy but the atmosphere was sunny at Main Street Vineland’s fourth annual Pumpkin Patch Party on Saturday, October 26 at the mini-parks in downtown Vineland. The winners of the “Scarecrow Challenge” contest were announced at the event. The contest was open to Vineland public, private, and parochial schools—pre-school through 12th grade—as well as individuals and civic organizations.
During the month-long contest, done in partnership with the Vineland Board of Education, the entrants created the scarecrows, which were then mounted on downtown lampposts. The public could vote for their favorite online at Main Street Vineland’s Facebook page. The three top winners received Ave Bucks, redeemable at Main Street Vineland. The winners were:
First Place: Dane Barse Elementary School, with 380 votes—winner of $100 in Ave Bucks (Scarecrow is shown here)
Second Place: Thomas W. Wallace, Jr. Middle School, with 244 votes—winner of $75 in Ave Bucks
Third Place: Marie Durand Elementary School, with 201 votes—winner of $50 in Ave Bucks
“I want to thank everyone who make this successful and so much fun to do each year. It is a truly community event,” said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell Swanson. “Many thanks go, as in the past three years, to Ross Stanger and the Vineland Board of Education for all their help again in putting this together, and the Main Street Vineland staff and volunteers. I want to thank, especially, those who entered scarecrows and voted, for, without them, this could not have happened.”
The announcement of the “Scarecrow Challenge” winners was only one part of the Pumpkin Patch Party, which included a variety of fun seasonal competitions and games with prizes, pumpkin and rock painting, a magic show by Simply Silly Magic, Tori’s Critters with a live animal/reptile education table and show, DJ Zach, Miss Vineland, and more.
“I want to thank Lidl for being sponsor for this event, which had another great response this year,” Main Street Vineland Associate Director Robert Scarpa said. “Everyone had a really great time and entered into the fall spirit.”
For more information on all Main Street Vineland events, call the Main Street Vineland office at 856-794-8653, visit the organization’s website at www.TheAve.biz, or visit the organization’s Facebook page.
Photos by Robert Scarpa, courtesy of Main Street Vineland
