Creative scarecrow efforts raise $2016

Organisers of a scarecrow competition (from left) Sue Brooke, Sandra Allan, Donna Knott (front)...
Organisers of a scarecrow competition (from left) Sue Brooke, Sandra Allan, Donna Knott (front) and Mike Brooke get up and close with some of the 38 scarecrows on display in Tapanui on Saturday. Photo by Samuel White.

Scarecrows outstanding in their field helped raise more than $2000 for charity in a scarecrow competition held at Tapanui on Saturday.

Event organiser Sue Brooke said $2016 was raised for the Cancer Society, which was "amazing for such a small community''.

After being displayed in windows and other spots around town for the week leading up to the prizegiving, the scarecrows were herded to the Town and Country Club.

There was a sausage sizzle, raffle and fancy dress competition as well as spot-prizes for different scarecrows.

Mrs Brooke said people voted for their favourite of the 38 scarecrows by donating money at the store they thought had the best scarecrow.

The scarecrow "Chef Custard'' received the most money in the adults' section and "Fisherman Jack'' took away the children's prize.

There were prizes for most creative, scariest, most eco-friendly and "sexiest'' scarecrow.

There were extra spot-prizes for the 18 entries from children.

"It's a holiday activity for kids,'' Mrs Brooke said.

The goal was to put Tapanui on display and bring people to the town.

Mrs Brooke said the scarecrows had inspired locals to get creative and given them ideas for next year's competition.

She expected more would enter next year after seeing what was possible.

Mrs Brooke chose the Cancer Society as a recipient for the money raised as many people had been affected by cancer, either directly or indirectly.

Sandra Allan, who also helped organise the event, said there was a huge response to the competition.

She was impressed with how many people voted.

"It has brought out a lot of people you don't normally see in the streets,'' she said.

She said there were plenty of happy children after the success of the competition.

samuel.white@odt.co.nz

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