Just in time for Halloween fun, the Edmonds Historical Museum is sponsoring the seventh annual Edmonds Scarecrow Festival, a favorite yearly celebration of community, fun and the particular spooky joys of autumn in Edmonds.

With summer vacation behind us, school bells ringing, and pumpkin spice everything showing up in stores and coffee shops, now is the time to start thinking about building your family-friendly scarecrow. This year there are six categories, which will ensure that everyone has a chance to participate: Government/Civic Group/Artist/Schools; Financial/Insurance/Real Estate; Food and Beverage Providers; Service Providers; Retail Business; and of course Residential.

As in past years, there will be three additional “special recognition” awards for the top vote getter, first-time builder and the best depiction of Edmonds history. There will also be an additional non-competitive category for those who are not interested in collecting votes but still want to be part of the fun.

Entrants will be able to register their scarecrow on the museum’s Scarecrow Festival website beginning Oct. 1, 2019. Visit the website to learn more about the festival, read the updated FAQ, and get a head start on your entry with “how to build a scarecrow” instructions.

Beginning Oct. 16, citizens will join in the fun by casting votes online at the museum’s website to determine the best scarecrow in six categories. The winners will be announced at a special museum reception Nov. 4.

There will also be a Scarecrow Hunt. This year, five scarecrows in the downtown area will sport special medallions, and if you find them all and check them off on your official Scarecrow Hunt entry form (available on the website or in person at the business displaying the scarecrow or at the museum), you’ll be entered into a drawing for some amazingly cool prizes from local merchants.

And mark your calendars now to attend the gala reception, set for the upstairs lobby of the Edmonds Historical Museum at 6 p.m. Nov. 4. If you need help or more information, email the museum (edmondsmuseum118@gmail.com) or call the Scarecrow Hotline at 425-774 6507) after Sept. 9.

The museum is located in Edmonds’ historic 1910 Carnegie Library at 118 5th Ave. N. and is open year-round between 1 and 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday (opens at 10 a.m. on market days). Learn more at historicedmonds.org.