By Jaimie Julia Winters
Once a necessary farm tool, they are the stuff of legends and date back as far as ancient Egypt and Greece. In America, they morphed into a symbol for harvest time and Halloween. Now they line the streets of Kearny. Sixty-three scarecrows have cropped up along Kearny and Midland avenues in the first-ever Scarecrow Stroll in the town’s history, thanks to the Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone (KUEZ) and some creative Kearny residents and business owners.
Scarecrows, created by community members, businesses, schools, and organizations, began showing up on Oct. 11-12. After creating their scarecrows at home, participants headed to the Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone headquarters to pick up their “scarecrow packages” that contained an assigned light pole, some supplies such as zip ties and a QR code card display, and tips on installing their haymen.
The response was overwhelming, with 63 signing up to create scarecrows in its first year, Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone Coordinator Linda Kraus D’Isa said. Participants include businesses, organizations such as the Scouts, Kearny Plant Swap, and the Department of Health, and even Kearny residents.
D’Isa said the idea for Kearny’s Scarecrow Stroll came after a visit to Cranford during the Halloween season. They have been doing a stroll event featuring scarecrows for 18 years.
“We wanted to get people walking the avenue, and the reaction has done my heart good,” D’Isa said.
The town has become an Instagram moment. Social media has lit up with people posting photos of themselves next to their favorite scarecrow.
Hay lady K.P. Sue Chalkwell comes bearing fruit from Alstede Farms, a farmer’s market vendor.
“As you walk by our lovely lady of giving, our ‘scarecrow’, who may attract them more than she deters, please feel free to take an apple from her bountiful box of love and giving,” a Facebook post reads announcing her addition to the avenue. “K.P. Sue is all about the grace of giving, and when her box and basket are empty, she always finds a way to replenish. We hope you all enjoy her labor of love for Kearny because she loves you all so much!”
The contest helped Elijah Fitzsimmons get into fall, which happens to be his favorite season. He made a traditional scarecrow using inspiration from online images of scarecrows.
“I did it because I love the fall, love crafting, and wanted to do something new and fun that I have never done,” Fitzsimmons said. “I love to be creative.”
He said the event is good for Kearny because it’s “a new and fun way for people to express themselves.”
Donegals’ Saloon created Dons and Roses, their take on the famous rock band.
Nutrition Avenue decided to participate with a hand-painted design created through the team’s input.
Some have spooky cats and skeletons, while others are decorated with fall flowers. Many are lit up to welcome nighttime strollers.
Visitors can stroll the avenues and vote for their favorites by scanning the QR code or visiting www.kearnyscarecrowstroll.com until Nov. 1. Prizes will be awarded, and winners will be announced on the KUEZ Instagram and Facebook.