MONROE, CT — A scarecrow display along the driveway of Great Hollow Lake includes one of the late Bob Ross, a famous artist known for painting “happy trees” in his nature scenes, often adding “a friend” alongside it.
The Bob Ross scarecrow is holding his own detached head with the caption, “There’s nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend.” An evergreen behind him, with a wicked smile, holds an ax.
The scarecrow designed by Valerie’s Gallery, 500 Purdy Hill Road, is just one example of the creativity shown by local businesses in this month’s Scarecrow Contest, held by the Monroe Parks and Recreation Department for the third consecutive year.
Online voting by park visitors will be going on until Oct. 31. To vote, click here.
The winning business will be announced on November 1, 2022 and will be awarded a complimentary one day picnic rental for 100 or fewer guests during the 2023 picnic rental season.
Participating businesses and nonprofits paid a $75 fee to enter and all proceeds benefit the Social Services Exchange Fund, providing scholarships to families in need of assistance, allowing them to enroll their children in the Summer Fun Days Camp program.
The slideshow below captures many of this year’s scarecrows, though last Friday stakes were up to add more at the park.
