IT’S approaching the spookiest time of the year and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is holding a competition to design scarecrows that will do more than scare the birds.
Primary schools are being invited to celebrate sustainability, creativity, inclusivity, and community in their spooky submissions to the 2024 Halloween Scarecrow Competition.
The popular visitor attraction is hosting the contest, which boasts a total prize fund of €2,000 in the categories of Overall Spooktacular Scarecrow (€1,000), Most Sustainable Creation (€500), and Most Innovative Design (€500).
According to Marie Brennan, events manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, “scarecrows have long been used in agriculture to ward off unwanted animals from crops as a natural pest control. Our competition is aimed at preserving this longstanding rural tradition and encouraging the creative talents of schoolchildren.”
“Students are also urged to introduce sustainability to their design by showcasing their school’s commitment to the environment using natural materials and eco-friendly practices to create a scarecrow that’s good for the planet. Finally, we are asking schools to make a scarecrow that celebrates inclusion and community spirit.”
The winning entries, which will be selected by an independent judging panel, will be announced in late November.
Schools wishing to participate are invited to register by contacting Marie Brennan at Bunratty Castle on 061 711 222 or [email protected] by October 14.
The deadline for delivery of scarecrows to Bunratty Castle is on October 23.
