Comboyne’s population is about to swell, at least in scarecrow form, with the first-ever Comboyne Scarecrow Festival set to run from Saturday, 12 September to Sunday, 11 October.
The event, organised by the Comboyne Business Group, will see creatively built scarecrows appear around the village before quietly disappearing at the festival’s end. There is no cost to view the display, with organisers describing it as a tourism destination promotional event.
The idea came from the owners of Comboyne’s newest retail business, the Comboyne Farm Store, who had seen a similar festival succeed where they previously lived. When the concept was put to the local business community, it found quick support.
“When it was put to our group of retail business owners, we thought, Why not! Scarecrows will fit very snugly into our rural village,” Marion Lawrence stated.
The festival aims to work alongside local community organisations to promote Comboyne as a destination for a drive and a day out, particularly among people in the wider region who may not be familiar with what the plateau has to offer.
“The scarecrow festival aims to provide a catalyst to showcase its attractions,” Ms Lawrence stated.
More than fifteen scarecrows are already under construction by Comboyne businesses and community groups, with organisers expecting more from families, friends and businesses further afield.
Comboyne Community Centre, Comboyne Public School, Comboyne War Memorial Hall, Comboyne A&H Association and Comboyne Uniting Church are among those preparing entries. The Comboyne Farm Store and Eclectic have already put their finished scarecrows on display outside their shops.
Entry is open to any individual, group, team or business, from Comboyne or elsewhere. Registration costs $20, with entry forms available at comboyne.au/scarecrow-festival. Registrations close on Sunday, 31 August, though scarecrows do not need to be delivered until Thursday, 10 September to Saturday, 12 September, when they will be dropped at the Comboyne Farm Store.
Judging will be based on creativity and originality of design, innovative use of materials, construction and durability, and overall ability to delight, challenge or entertain. First prize of $500 is sponsored by Comboyne Farm Store, with major sponsor Nutrien Boulton’s Wauchope backing further prizes. Other local businesses are contributing goods, services or funds towards running costs.
Visitors will also be able to take part in the People’s Choice vote for their favourite scarecrow, with $250 in cash prizes sponsored by Comboyne Grazed and Grown Farm, plus additional prizes from other sponsors. Votes will be collected in ballot boxes throughout the festival, with winners drawn at random from all votes cast for the most popular entries.
Weekend activities will run throughout the festival, with sheep shearing demonstrations, face painting and live music planned every Saturday and Sunday. One-off attractions include the Museum Market, local produce stalls, a performance by The Village Idiots courtesy of The Comboyne Club, and an appearance from Coasters Hot Rods, with further details to be posted on the Comboyne Scarecrow Festival Comboyne NSW Facebook page and festival website.
Judging, People’s Choice voting and the children’s colouring competition will close at 4pm on Sunday, 11 October. The festival will then wrap up with a presentation evening from 7pm on Friday, 16 October at the Comboyne Club, where sponsors will be acknowledged, and prize winners announced across the scarecrow competition, colouring competition and People’s Choice vote. The presentation evening is free and open to the public.
“We hope to welcome a large crowd of the many, many people who have contributed towards or just enjoyed its anticipated huge success,” Ms Lawrence stated.
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