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New Brighton Scarecrow Festival is back this August with 100 different themed scarecrows to spot along a trail through New Brighton.
The festival is now underway; it started on August 22 and will last until the end of the month. You'll find a straw version of The Beatles to The Minions, Alice in Wonderland and a monkey swinging from a palm tree with his bananas, according to The Guide Liverpool.
Children can enjoy the hunt and join a Wizard of Oz hunt for scarecrow Dorothy's missing ruby slipper, stolen by the witch. Little QR codes around the trail offer rhymes from Dorothy asking for help finding it and from the witch boasting about hiding it.
Kate Johnson, Claire Brierton and Gavin Scott, who are good friends and neighbours in the area, set the event up. They wanted to put on a free event to bring the community together. After starting with around 50 scarecrows in 2024, they've expanded for the second year following an enthusiastic response.
Kate Johnson said in a statement, "We had such a lovely response, so this time we've had a lot of new entries from people who weren't involved in the first, as well as more from people who were who've maybe got four or five characters now."
"It's something that everyone has really got into, and adults love them as much as children. Last year, although we had lots of kids, we also had loads of couples without kids who enjoyed it just as much because it's something fun that's a bit different to do."
Many who have taken part have gone all out with their displays. Claire has created a Beauty and the Beast theme with her first-floor bedroom window decorated and a table laid out in her lounge visible through the window, complete with music playing.
Neighbour John has built on his witch scarecrow from last year by adding Dorothy and Toto the dog for the interactive Oz challenge.
Those who want to enjoy the summer festival can enjoy it from each morning until Bank Holiday Monday.
Live scarecrows, including the three organisers, will be around at weekends, handing out sweets to children during the day.
Visitors can find a map on social media, or pick one up at the Magazine Brow hub, which serves as the starting point for the trail running throughout New Brighton.
The festival is free, but there will be a donations bucket available for those who want to support events run by Friends of Vale Park.
