For just over a week during the month of August, the village of Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales stages its Scarecrow Festival. This is the thirty first year that it's been held, and we've visited quite a few times. In fact, I've blogged about it before:- Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival, More From Kettlewell and It's Scarecrow Time Again.
Car parking is just £4 for the day and a trail sheet, if you want one, costs £1. Where else could you have such an entertaining day out in such a beautiful place with the stunning Yorkshire Dales scenery as a backdrop, for the princely sum of £5?
There are different trail sheets for adults and children with a bit of a scarecrow quiz to solve as you make your way around the village, taking in all the scarecrows.
I love that the whole village seems to come together for this event, there are some brilliant creations and there's a wonderful atmosphere. Refreshments are on sale in the village hall, or if you prefer, there's three pubs and a tea parlour.
There are so many scarecrows that I couldn't possibly take photos of them all, so instead, I'll show you just some of my favourites. First up is the Dingle Dangle Scarecrow with his flippy floppy hat. This is one of Jack's favourite songs, we'll definitely have to take him to see the scarecrows when he's a bit older.
Maleficent. I've never seen the film but I knew who she was. There are some scarecrows that I don't recognise but I still enjoy seeing them.
A Chinese dragon. The work that goes into some of these creations is amazing.
I loved this one, a Yorkshireman celebrating Yorkshire Day (which is on the 1st of August) with all things Yorkshire related:- Yorkshire Tea, Tetley's Bitter, Wensleydale Cheese and a Yorkshire Pudding.
Little Red Riding Hood. There's plenty of scarecrows to appeal to children.
There's scarecrows for the adults too. Rob Burrow, rugby league player who sadly died from motor neurone disease last year. This won a judges award.
There was a wonderful scarecrow display commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The scarecrows here represent each branch of the armed forces.
The civilians are represented too, evacuees being sent away from their parents.
Even Winston Churchill's here. This display won best in show.
If you didn't get a ticket to see Oasis, don't fear, you can catch the boys at Kettlewell.
Or if Oasis aren't your thing, how about Elton John?
I don't think you can have any festival or event these days without Harry Potter popping up somewhere!
Even the church puts on a display of scarecrows, and they're usually excellent. I love this vicar reading his sermon.
This lady is making sure that there's plenty of refreshments for visitors to the church.
The flower arrangers are making sure the church is suitably decorated for harvest festival.
And the choir master is making sure that his choir is well rehearsed.
Another one for the children (or big children!). Mick used to make out that the kids wanted to watch Sponge Bob but I know he secretly wanted to watch himself!
This was my favourite scarecrow. I'm not a fan of Jeremy Clarkson and don't watch Clarkson's Farm, (is that what it's called), but I thought this was brilliant.
A close up of Jeremy himself, I think they've got a pretty good likeness, haha.
The grim reaper, least said.
There were a couple of Peter Pan themed scarecrows, I liked this Tinkerbell.
Oh, don't I know how she feels. Having the need recently to ring Sky about a problem with my account, this could quite easily be me!
I don't know who these two are, do you? They could be me and Mick.
The Scarecrow Festival is over again for another year but if you ever get the chance to go I can thoroughly recommend it. These are just a very small selection of the scarecrows we saw and I'm sure you can tell that a lot of work is put into making them. It takes a good two hours or more to see all on offer, but make sure you leave time for some delicious refreshments too. What a great day out.
Wow, what a lot of work goes into all those amazing displays. Must be a really good fundraiser.
ReplyDeleteOur local one which as been going for years is nowhere as good as these, good family fun.
ReplyDeleteWow they certainly put on a good show!! There are so many brilliant scarecrows, it's difficult to pick a favourite, although I rather like Harry Potter with his glasses askew. I expect the villagers have been working on their designs for a year to make sure the event is so varied and professional. It wouldn't do for everyone to make a Grim Reaper!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the scarecrow festival but we've never been in the area when it's on. Thank you for sharing the photos, it is such a good display. I especially like the vicar giving a sermon.
ReplyDeleteThe scarecrows are wonderful and so varied. What a lot of talent, imagination, skill and hard work in each one. I hope lots of money was raised.
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