Scarecrows Strike a Pose in Morien Yards

Morien — Laughter and creativity filled the air this past weekend as the inaugural Morien People Festival transformed lawns across Donkin into a delightful quilt of humorous homemade scarecrows. From Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15, residents competed for prizes and postcards bragging rights by erecting everything from “Cowboy Crows” to “Disco Ducklings” in their front yards.

Organizers estimate that over sixty households participated, drawing visitors from nearby communities who mapped out a self-guided scarecrow tour via a free festival brochure.

Festival chairperson Millie O’Brien, dressed as a “Scarecrow Queen” with straw-filled sleeves, explained the event’s origins: “The Morien People Festival stems from a long-standing tradition in Morien, where neighbors used to build funny straw figures each June to celebrate midsummer. We wanted to bring that spirit to Donkin—to get people outside, connecting with neighbors, and sharing their sense of humor.”

Category winners included:

• “Most Creative”: The Swanns on Highland Road built a full-size scarecrow band called “The Caw-Landers,” complete with straw guitars and a painted drum kit.

• “Funniest Display”: At 27 MacDonald Avenue, the Harris family staged a mock “Scarecrow Job Fair,” featuring scarecrows dressed as a clown, a pirate, and a superhero lined up behind a “Help Wanted” poster.

• “Best Children’s Design”: The five-year-old genius behind “Sock Puppet Sam,” a scarecrow made entirely from mismatched socks and googly eyes, delighted passersby on Pine Street.

Volunteers from the Morien Volunteer Fire Department served lemonade and funnel cakes at the Donkin Community Centre, where local artisan booth displays offered scarecrow hats, straw bales, and miniature crochet crows for sale. Festival-goers could also vote for their favorite scarecrow via a QR code on each brochure, and the “People’s Choice” winner—a scarecrow dressed as a pirate parrot perched atop a real sailboat in Gordon’s Cove—received a commemorative wooden plaque.

Longtime resident and self-appointed judge Walter MacKenzie, who spent Saturday driving the scarecrow loop with his grandchildren, said, “It was a hoot! Everywhere we turned, there was something clever: a scarecrow yoga instructor doing a tree pose, a farmer scarecrow texting on a smartphone—just a brilliant excuse for neighbors to be inventive.” His granddaughter, Emma (age 9), added, “I loved pointing out all the funny details—like the scarecrow reading a cookbook or the one playing hopscotch. It made our whole family laugh.”

Sunday afternoon closed with a small awards ceremony held in front of Town Hall, where ribboned scarecrows stood on display. Mayor Jason McIntyre congratulated organizers and participants, noting, “The Morien People Festival reminds us that community is built on imagination and shared joy. When neighbors come together and create something fun, everyone feels a little brighter.” Plans are already underway for next year’s event, with hopes of expanding the festival’s footprint to include scarecrow-themed workshops and a live country-folk concert.

Residents interested in volunteering or sponsoring next year’s festival can contact the Donkin Tourism Office at (902) 555-4762 or visit donkintourism.ca/morienfestival.