Fallbrook Scarecrow Days celebrating its 10th year

Scarecrow Days, Oct. 1 – 31, has seen many exciting changes in 10 years. The

ScareCREW is passionate about its mission; and have worked all year long creating and designing new scarecrow displays in celebration.

Ten years ago, three dedicated ladies, Jackie Heyneman, LaNita Hague and Bev

DeVillbiss, formed the original ScareCREW. They based their idea from another

community where scarecrows were displayed the month of October. With this idea, they approached Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce with their idea and it was well received. With limited knowledge of scarecrow building, they created the Fallbrook Scarecrow Days event.

The very first meeting documented April 28, 2012, was held at Fallbrook Art School. Judy Erickson was on board also. Goals were set and plans for the first 'Farmers Market Harvest Festival' were being formed.

The goal was and still is to promote tourism for the economic stability of businesses and garner a strong community support and spirit as well. The idea was launched but not well received by the business community the first year, but with persistence, ScareCREW tried again the next year and got a few businesses on board. The event was a good fit with the agriculture and artistic nature of Fallbrook and participation has grown from a few scarecrows to over 130.

Growing pains had the ScareCREW meeting at the Chamber of Commerce and Art School to volunteer's homes, the Mission Resource Conservation District, and Denny's. In 2017, they moved to their present location at North Brandon Street. The first workshops were first held at The Art Center. Then the workshops moved to Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Museum, to the Fallbrook Historical Museum Barn and are now held at the present site on North Brandon Street.

The first Farmers Market Harvest Festival was held Oct. 27, 2012, in the parking lot behind the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce. There were food trucks, a beer & wine garden and a petting zoo. The next year, 2013, the scarecrow we so fondly recognize as Farmer Haas was created via a contest for the event and has become The ScareCREW's mascot. It is now called the Harvest Faire since 2017 when it was turned over to the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce. The Harvest Faire this year is Sunday, Oct. 17.

Barbara Luther said, "The ScareCREW taught me a lot about creativity and fulfilling teamwork with very talented artists (which I am not) and included lots of laughter.

My garage and garden shed served as a storage place for the crows for many years. They turned into my best friends and protectors during the months that they were not displayed."

Jean Benson said, "Chopped lots of 2x2s, built hundreds of frames. It has been an entertaining journey."

Jackie Heyneman sums up what Scarecrow Days all about: "What has come from this venture is a fantastic group of people who work together to benefit the business community by encouraging tourism and the enjoyment of the community. Scarecrows in every corner of town make a statement about us also. Fallbrookians support their community."