ELKINS — The annual downtown Scarecrow Festival, beginning today at 3 p.m., is the last big celebration of autumn that Elkins has to offer.

The festival is in its second year, but this is the fifth year that scarecrows have decorated the streets of downtown Elkins.

The entertainment for this year consists of AXIS, Mountain Gymnastics Academy, Pure Country Twirlettes, and Tumble Time. Additionally, 18 Strings will be playing at the festival’s hoedown, beginning at 6 p.m. in the YMCA.

“Everyone says it, but we truly are eclectic,” said Greg Thurman, bassist for 18 Strings. They call their genre of music “Appalachicana.”

Vendors and organizations will line Third Street with family-friendly activities to participate in before the awards are given for the best scarecrows. Later, at the hoedown, children are encouraged to participate in a costume contest.

Awards for the costume contest include Most Colorful, Prettiest Princess, and Overall Best. The most coveted award goes to the best scarecrow costume and that winner gets to choose the others.

“I think one of the most important parts of Scarecrow Festival is seeing people from all around Randolph County joining forces to decorate downtown,” said Madalyn Humphrey, a member of the Scarecrow Festival planning committee. “It’s a community effort that reaches downtown, reaches all of the city of Elkins, and it reaches Randolph County.”

In case of rain, the festival will be moved to the Elkins-Randolph County YMCA on the corner of Davis Avenue and 4th Street. The cornhole tournament would then be held at VFW Post 3647.