All forms are due by Sept. 9, for the second annual Scarecrow Contest presented by River Region Art Association. It is time to get your name in the proverbial straw hat. The actual scarecrows do not have to be ready and fully dressed until Sept. 24 – 25, when they will be erected all around the Jambalaya Park/Gonzales City Hall area in time for the Awesome Art on the Bayou Festival on Oct 8 – 9.

Youth groups scouts, brownies, 4-H, schools, etc., will find this a rewarding project to work on together. Themes can be traditional, funny, scary or whimsical . . . or maybe even a  character or mascot. The young people are encouraged to compete with their wildest imaginations. Adults, civic groups, church groups and clubs may get their best ideas together to come up with a winning scarecrow. Businesses can advertise their services in a different way and have fun doing it with their own life size scarecrow. They can win a plaque and braggin’ rights just for being the most creative.  

Get the spirit and make the community full of fall fun and festivity. Over $400 in prize money is offered. All rules, application form and cash prize information can be found online at www.artgumbo.org. 

Judges for the Scarecrows will be Jenny Heroman of Eatel Community Connection Show and Scott Rogers of The Around Town Show. Awards will be presented at the Awesome Art on the Bayou Festival on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.  Scarecrows will “Swamp” the Gonzales area until Oct. 22 for the viewing pleasure of the community.