Scarecrow Stroll Deadline Extended

UPDATE (9/22/09, 1:23 p.m.): The Downtown Management Office has extended the deadline to accept applications for the annual Scarecrow Stroll because the Township Municipal Building has experienced computer and email problems for more than a week. The new deadline to submit your application is Friday, Oct. 2.

The DMC office will confirm each application. If you sent an application and did not receive a confirmation, please call the DMC office at 709-7208.

It’s time for Cranford residents to start thinking about what kind of scarecrow to make for the annual Scarecrow Stroll.

Held in downtown Cranford, the event allows local businesses and organizations to show off their creativity and arts/crafts skills by creating and displaying homemade scarecrows in shop windows and on lamp posts. A vote is tallied and prizes are awarded for first, second and third places, as well as a prize for the top scarecrow by business owner.

Applications and guidelines are available online at www.cranford.com/downtown, Cranford Public Library, Community Center and at downtown shops. The deadline to submit your entry form is Saturday, October 2.

Last year, more than 100 wild, artistic and crazy scarecrows were on display downtown and more than 6,000 votes were cast for scarecrow favorites, according to Downtown Management Corporation officials. 

Scarecrows will begin arriving at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. Teams of volunteers will help participants fasten their scarecrows to lamp posts.

The Scarecrow Stroll will officially kick off on October 16 with a concert by Brother John Brown at the Eastman Plaza clock. The concert, sponsored by the shops and apartments at Cranford Crossing, will begin at 7 p.m.

Voting will continue through Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31.

For more information call the Downtown Management Office at 908-709-7208 or email dmc@cranfordnj.org.