Fall in New Jersey brings so many fun family activities! We have corn mazes, pumpkin picking, apple picking, trick or treat events and haunted houses. In the last few years we’ve noticed a growing trend of towns being invaded by scarecrows! Traditionally these are located in bustling downtowns, and decorated by community groups or businesses. We have a tradition of attending one every year, but with a recent move to a new area we are seeking new ones and have found plenty of New Jersey Scarecrow Trails, Displays and Contests to explore with kids!
We’re excited to report that these clever New Jersey scarecrow creations will be back for 2020. It’s just another example of fun and safe fall things to do in New Jersey.
Plan a trip sometime this month to one of these great towns; maybe for lunch or a treat or a stop at a special store and check out these fun scarecrow displays. You may be surprised by the creativity, and what a great tradition to start at your own location. Be prepared for your kids to ask to make their own unique scarecrow!
New Jersey Scarecrow Displays
Details in italics are being confirmed for 2020.
North Jersey Scarecrow Displays
Sussex County Scarecrow Displays
- Branchville Borough Historical Society and Broad Street Books sponsors the fifth annual Branchville Scarecrow Contest this October.
Vernon Chamber of Commerce has scarecrows set up throughout the town October 16 through October 29.
Union County Scarecrow Displays
- Registration for the 13th Annual Downtown Cranford Scarecrow Stroll is now open! This is your chance to take part in one of Cranford’s biggest events. Registration is free and prizes are awarded in each category. Downtown Cranford’s Scarecrow Stroll will be out for viewing from October 14, 2020 – November 1, 2020. Wander the streets of Cranford and be amazed at the creativity of local businesses and resident groups in the scarecrows they decorated!
- New for 2020, Linden public schools have created scarecrows to be displayed outside of City Hall. Check them out from October 19 – 31.
- New Providence Business is hosting another annual Scarecrow Contest, bringing a festive feel to the downtown! The contest encourages New Providence residents, businesses, civic organizations, school groups, sports teams, and families to build the wildest, cleverest, funniest scarecrows they can imagine (within contest guidelines). The scarecrows will be on display throughout the downtown to bring the community and businesses together. New Providence scarecrows will be available to view in downtown from October 10, 2020 – October 31, 2020, for their annual Scarecrow Contest. Vote for your favorite among the creepy, cute and funny!
Warren County Scarecrow Displays
- Hackettstown Business Improvement District with WRNJ Radio, will hold the Annual Scarecrow Contest. Stores will create a scarecrow with a villain theme and place them outside the storefront from October 12 – November 8, 2020 .
Morris County Scarecrow Displays
- The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 Hanover Ave, Morris Township hosts original scarecrow creations created by families, schools, scouts, organizations, and more. Receive a map at the Haggerty Education Center, and explore the gardens. Scarecrows will be on display weekdays October 9 – October 26, 2020. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m, $10/family.
Do you know where we can find more New Jersey Scarecrows in Northern New Jersey? Let us know in the comments below or send us a picture to jenniferauer@jerseyfamilyfun.com.
Central Jersey Scarecrow Displays
Hunterdon County Scarecrow Displays
- Delaware River Towns sponsors another New Jersey Scarecrow Contest, creations will be on display all through October (October 1-31, 2020). The Delaware River Towns Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is very excited to promote their Third Annual Scarecrow Contest! Their towns are well known for attracting fans of Halloween, including a Zombie Crawl, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Ghost Tours, High Heel Contests, and dozens of incredibly decorated homes and businesses. Learn more.
Mercer County Scarecrow Displays
- The Ewing Green Team, Ewing Arts Commission and Art Has No Boundaries are pleased to announce that our 2nd All Around Town Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt is now is the planning stages. Following last year’s very successful debut which featured 34 scarecrows and almost 80 individuals and groups on the hunt, we are expanding options for participation this year, as well as cash prizes to sweeten the fun! Organizers are excited for Ewing-area residents to experience some much needed fun while staying safe and healthy with an activity that lends itself to those requirements. Ewing New Jersey scarecrows will be on display from Thursday, Oct 1, 2020, to Thursday, October 29, 2020.
Middlesex County Scarecrow Displays
- South Plainfield’s Borough Hall will be surrounded by scarecrows on display from October 8 – November 2, 2020.
Monmouth County Scarecrow Displays
- Manasquan’s Chamber of Commerce will decorate the Main Street area with scarecrows this October! Scarecrows will be placed beginning October 19, 2020, and remain through Halloween.
- The Friends of the Keyport Library is hosting the 6th annual scarecrow contest to beautify the library property! This year’s themes will be “Most Keyport”, Pure Comedy, and Stranger Days (this theme can relate to current times, or be scary, unusual, completely original, or weird). All entries must adhere to good family community standards and will not be religious or political in nature. View at least 20 scarecrows designed by local families and businesses October 17, 2020 – October 23, 2020, (judging on October 24, 2020). Scarecrows will remain out for a couple of weeks.
Do you know where we can find more New Jersey Scarecrows in Central New Jersey? Let us know in the comments below or send us a picture to jenniferauer@jerseyfamilyfun.com.
South Jersey Scarecrow Displays
Atlantic County Scarecrow Displays
- New Jersey Scarecrows at the beach – why not! The Brigantine Beach Cultural Arts Commission brings the scarecrows back for the Fourth Annual Scarecrow Exhibit. Visit the island before October 31, 2019, to view the creations. 2020 Information is not yet available.
Burlington County Scarecrow Displays
- Scarecrows on Parade returns to Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton from October 11, 2020 to an unknown end date. Voting begins October 13.
- The Woman’s Club of Medford hosts the annual Scarecrow Contest from October 3, 2020 – November 1, 2020. Scarecrows are humorous, lovable, whimsical, but never frightening or distasteful. Scarecrows will be displayed by the shops of Medford.
- Palmyra Scarecrow Display in Palmyra from October 18, 2020 – November 7, 2020. On 10/30, winners will be announced online at www.palmyrahalloweenparade.com.
Cape May County Scarecrow Displays
- Scarecrow Alley at the Physick Estate is a must see! The grounds of Cape May’s original haunted house, the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., have been transformed for the spooky season. Scarecrow Alley is a highlight of the Estate’s Halloween decorations. Walk the grounds and vote for your favorite ghoulishly gruesome or foolishly funny scarecrow. Visit any day from October 9, 2020, – November 7, 2020, and cast your vote for your favorite. The Physick Estate is at 1048 Washington Street, Cape May. Admission is free.
Cumberland County Scarecrow Displays
- You have all of October 2020 to visit Main Street Vineland and their Scarecrow Challenge! The Scarecrow Challenge on The Ave is returning this year, again in partnership with the Vineland Board of Education. All Vineland public and private schools, as well as local clubs and organizations, are invited to design scarecrows. The scarecrows, situated on frames, will be mounted on downtown lampposts on Landis Avenue. Some lampposts will be decorated with corn stalks. Stroll down Landis Avenue and just try to pick your favorite!
Gloucester County Scarecrow Displays
The Friends of the Pitman Library are hosting the second annual Scarecrow Contest. These New Jersey scarecrows are on display until November 4th along Broadway and Pitman Avenue.This scarecrow contest and display has been cancelled for Pitman for Halloween 2020.
Ocean County Scarecrow Displays
- Downtown Toms River will line up the scarecrows along Washington and Main Street for their Scarecrow Walk. Vote for your favorite between October 13 – 31, 2020.
Do you know where we can find more New Jersey Scarecrows in Southern New Jersey? Let us know in the comments below or send us a picture to jenniferauer@jerseyfamilyfun.com.
Which trails will have your favorite New Jersey scarecrows?
For more scarecrow fun check out these children’s books about scarecrows
- The Scarecrows’ Wedding by Julia Donaldson
- A wedding that no one will ever forget is the intention of Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay. They are two scarecrows in love who decide it is time to get married. The happy couple creates a list, seeks out the items from the list on their farm, enlists the support and assistance of their colleagues (cows, geese, and other animals), and hit an unexpected obstacle. What happens next is a plot twist but the cute and quirky story is wrapped up with a happy ending for the preschooler crowd! It is a delightful story with a light rhythm that is fun to read.
- You can buy The Scarecrows’ Wedding on Amazon. Please use our affiliate link.
- More children’s books about scarecrows on Amazon.
Need more ideas for a spooktacular New Jersey Halloween?
Let us help you have a great New Jersey Halloween with 10 Amazing New Jersey Halloween Activities to Try This Year.
Our Spooktacular Guide to New Jersey Halloween Family Fun With Your Kids includes
- New Jersey Trick or Treat Times,
- Best Halloween Events for Kids in New Jersey,
- New Jersey Halloween Attractions,
- New Jersey Haunted Houses & Halloween Displays,
- New Jersey Scarecrow Trails,
- New Jersey Pumpkin Patches,
- and Where Kids Can Eat Free on Halloween.
Click over to Our Spooktacular Guide to New Jersey Halloween Family Fun With Your Kids.