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ELKINS -- For a second straight year, Our Town will be handing out fall leaves to go with its annual scarecrow distribution.
This year's displays, which will be placed on the streets of downtown Elkins beginning the week of Oct. 10, will be offered in conjunction with several other events Our Town is hosting this fall. The collection of events is being billed as the 2022 Scarecrow Festival.
Since 2017, scarecrows have lined the streets of Elkins each fall as a way to celebrate the arrival of autumn. Those constructing the straw figures have the freedom to decorate them any way they'd like. Last year the scarecrows were joined by wooden cut-out leaves as part of the celebration. Like the scarecrows, the leaves can be painted to the creators' liking.
"It's always a popular thing in the community," Our Town volunteer Bobbi Trimboli said of the Scarecrow event. "People really look forward to this particular event and they look forward to coming downtown and seeing them up and down the street. And people are very creative in the ways they take these projects and do them -- they always surprise me."
The material to create 50 scarecrows and 50 leaves can be picked up on Sept. 7 at the former Henry G's Restaurant location on Third Street. The material will be handed out from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
"We will be handing out everything someone needs for both projects, with the exception of the paint for the leaves," Trimboli said. "The people who want the leaves will be getting a cut-out figure for them to take home and design. With the scarecrows, we give you the frame, the head and hay to decorate with."
After allowing two weeks to complete the projects, Our Town will be collecting the finished scarecrows and leaves at Henry G's on Sept. 21 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The scarecrows and leaves will then be put up up for display in October after the Mountain State Forest Festival.
On Nov. 5, the leaves will be collected and then sold beginning at noon at Henry G's. Those wishing to purchase their own leaves will have the first opportunity to do so before they go onsale to the public. Scarecrows will also be torn down on Nov. 5.
Our Town, Inc will is also currently taking orders for artificial pine gnomes that include both hats and gloves. They resemble the live pine gnomes that have been used to decorate downtown Elkins during the winter months the past two years. The new gnomes can be used, stored and then reused each year. The price for the gnomes is $40 and orders must be placed before Oct. 1.
To order a gnome or obtain more information on any of Our Town's upcoming events, call 304-636-0415.