VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE SCARECROWS​​
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From funny to scary, these unique scarecrow creations showcase the creativity of local businesses!
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Visit them all and vote for your favorite. Voting ends on October 31st!
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PAMELA
at The Store
In the quaint town of Manson, nestled between whispering pines and shimmering lakes, the annual scarecrow contest brought a touch of magic and mischief, thanks to Pamela, the Witch. Crafted from local straw, vintage looks and twinkling fairy lights, Pamela stands proud in front of The Store, her crooked hat adorned with colorful ribbons that danced in the breeze. Legend had it that she emerged from the depths of the nearby woods, casting spells to shield the town from storms and misfortune. Each night, as the townsfolk settled down, they could almost hear her gentle cackles mingling with the rustling leaves, knowing that their beloved scarecrow was watching over them, weaving enchantments to keep Manson safe and sound. As the contest drew near, it was clear that Pamela was not just a creation of straw and cloth; she was a guardian, a friend, and the heart of the community, inspiring laughter and awe in equal measure.
WALLY THE LONELY SASQUATCH
Deep in the woods of the Lake Chelan Valley, where fog hangs like secrets in the trees and rivers speak in whispers, lived a sasquatch named Wally. Unlike the legends those grainy photos and half-hearted footprints, Wally wasn’t scary. He wasn’t a monster, or a mystery, or a myth. He was just lonely. Wally had always felt… different. Not just because he was nine feet tall or covered in shaggy auburn fur. Not because he could blend into the woods like a shadow melting into dusk. No, Wally’s difference was this: he wanted to be found. He dreamed of it. Not with dread, but with a deep, aching hope. Every day, he’d walk through the forest trails where hikers passed, and he’d sit behind trees and rocks—visible, but barely. Sometimes he'd wave. Once, he even held up a hand-written sign:
"Hi. I'm Wally. :) Please see me." But no one did. Not really.
People would glance in his direction and squint, then shake their heads. “Just a weird tree.” “Maybe a bear.” “Optical illusion.” Some even took photos. But later, Wally would find the pictures posted online, circled in red with captions like “Hoax?!” or “Look closely, maybe it's just a guy in a suit.”
So, he kept wandering. Kept waving. He started dressing up like the character he’d read about in old books hikers left behind. He found a red-and-white striped shirt at a campsite and red and white beanie. Thick glasses with no lenses. “Where’s Waldo?” the book had asked. It made Wally laugh. It made him cry a little, too. He became “Wally” that day. A name. A dream. He tried everything. Photo bombing family selfies. Writing messages in leaves. Making a little wooden sign that said, “Yes, I’m real.”
Still, nobody saw him. So, one day He decided to do something drastic, he showed up next to Mountain View Lodge, the main tourist destination resort in town. Surely someone would see him there.
Finally, October came, and Haunted Manson came to town. He thought if he could get enough votes he could in fact be real. Vote for Wally and let him know you see him!
ZZ CROP
A scarecrow lives in the vines on the hill, people say he came from a little ole town in Texas. Billy was his poppa's son, when he hit the ground he was on the run (well kinda)
Some say he is a shy ghoulish mop, others say he is Billy ZZ Top Crop, capable of rattling your bones with a single touch. Making you scream have mercy.
Many say Billy wasn’t always a monster made from Texas spam, others say he was even known as the sharp dressed man.
Most unsuspecting Halloweeners don't realize that Billy ZZ Top Crop isn't just local to the hill and wine garden lane, He's Bad and He’s Nationwide.
So on this Halloween, when you walk through the vines on the hill, be careful, don’t look at the lantern as it passes.
The only way to ward off the soul bending, bone rattling scare, is to wear some cheap sunglasses!
MANNY THE MOOSE
One crisp October evening, Manny the Moose, the friendly scarecrow of Manson’s orchards, stood tall at his post on the North Shore of Lake Chelan. The golden sunset cast long shadows across the rows of apple trees, and Manny was keeping watch like he always did. Suddenly, a rustle came from the woods nearby, louder than the usual wind or scurrying squirrel. Spooked, Manny leapt off his perch and bolted through the orchards, his straw legs wobbling wildly as he ran.
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As he charged between the trees, branches snagged his antlers, leaving him tangled with leaves and pumpkins hanging from his rack like ornaments. The faster he went, the messier he became, until he looked more like a walking harvest basket than a scarecrow. Just when he thought he’d escaped, Manny blundered straight into a giant spider web, wrapping strands across his face and antlers in a sticky, spooky mask. Flustered and flapping, he stumbled out of the orchard and tumbled into the nearby pumpkin patch.
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There, surrounded by rows of bright orange pumpkins, Manny finally stopped and caught his breath. With apples dangling from his antlers, cobwebs draped like streamers, and pumpkins at his feet, Manny couldn’t help but laugh at himself. It seemed he had become part of Manson’s harvest celebration without even trying.
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LEISURE SUIT LARRY
Let us introduce you to "Leisure Suit Larry” who’s unfortunately managed to land himself in our forensic laboratory!
Larry considered himself quite a lady's man in the day. A bit of a "dandy" - a "man about town" you might say. Well...Larry hasn't been winning any popularity contests with the ladies. He's been using October as an excuse to "ghost" the gals. Well, it appears that his tactics have landed him in a bit a’ hot water. Tisk tisk, Larry. Tisk tisk.
CHELANDRA
Meet Chelandra, the whimsical guardian of Lake Chelan vineyards! Crafted from local native plants and bounty from the Chelan valley, Chelandra stands tall, adorned with a crown of wildflowers and a bouquet of local dried flowers, ready to protect the precious grapes.
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As the sun sets, watch the fireflies gather around her, illuminating her charm and bringing life to the fields. Chelandra isn’t just a scarecrow; she embodies the spirit of our community’s love for winemaking, reminding us that the joy of the harvest is best shared with community. Raise a glass to Chelandra, the guardian of the harvest! Cheers!
JACK STRAW THE HIGH ROLLER
Jack Straw was once the luckiest gambler in Lake Chelan Casino. Night after night, he ruled the tables at the casino, rolling dice and pulling cards with uncanny skill. But one autumn evening, he made one gamble too many, wagering against the lake itself. Legend says Lake Chelan claimed his soul when a storm swept in, scattering his winnings and dragging him under.
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When the waters calmed, Jack didn’t surface as a man, but instead rose from the shoreline as a scarecrow. Now he stands sentinel outside the Lake Chelan Casino, “guarding” its fields and grounds. His coat is a patchwork of hay-stuffed velvet and worn casino uniforms, poker chips stitched like buttons down his jacket. A poker visor shades his hollow eyes, and a string of rusted slot machine tokens dangles from his straw-filled hands.
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Locals say the crows still won’t perch near him. Some swear on moonlit nights he whispers old betting slogans into the wind, reminding visitors that in Manson, the house and Jack Straw always win.
BARLEY CROW
Meet Barley Crow, our loyal scarecrow and unofficial brewery mascot. After one too many pints, he wandered a little too close to the wrong corner of the patio. That’s when our giant spider apparently a fan of locally sourced snacks snatched him up and wrapped him tight in its web. Now poor Barley Crow is stuck hanging around, probably dreaming of fresh pours of Big Bay Pilsner while he waits to escape.
Moral of the story? Stay on the safe side of the patio, enjoy your brew, and remember: spiders may love hops too but only we know how to turn them into beer. Cheers, and happy haunting from Lake Chelan Brewery!
MARGO
Meet Margo, the Sourdough Guardian of VonHart Bakery!
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Nestled outside VonHart Goods in the heart of Manson, Margo sits proudly atop her straw throne, cradling the warm, golden loaves that define the bakery’s soul. Her burlap face beams with a welcoming smile, crowned with flowers, with pumpkins and autumn blooms at her feet. She embodies the cozy spirit of Lake Chelan’s fall season.
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Named in honor of our beloved grandmother Margaret whom passed down her love of baking to our family and which our sourdough starter was named after. Margo carries her legacy forward. As twilight paints the sky, fairy lights flicker around her, drawing visitors to share in the joy of fresh-baked bread and community love. Margo isn’t just a scarecrow, she’s the steadfast protector of VonHart’s Goods! She’s a symbol of resilience and warmth. Stop by, snap a picture, and vote for Margo to keep the bakery’s spirit rising with Haunted Manson’s Scarecrow Contest!
STEVIE STRAWMAN
In the quiet little town of Manson, there lived a scarecrow named Stevie Strawman. But Stevie wasn’t your average floppy fellow stuck in a cornfield. O no! Stevie worked at the Manson Fire Department. His job? Protect the good people of Manson from fires, trouble, and most importantly flying life jackets from Manson Bay. These suckers can pack a punch in the wind.
One sunny morning, Chief Baker burst into the station in a panic. So much so the ends of his mustache were flapping wildly, “Stevie!” he shouted. “Manny the Moose has gone missing!” Now Manny wasn’t just any moose. He was the town mascot, famous for wandering down Main Street like he owned the place. The whole town loved him. Even the stoplights seemed to wait for Manny. (If we had stoplights that is). Stevie gasped so hard a bit of straw flew out of his mouth. “Don’t worry, Chief,” he said bravely. “This is a job for Stevie the Scarecrow!” And with that he jumped into Brush 53 the old green fire truck,
First stop: the lake. No Manny. Just a couple of suspicious dogs, Viki the lifeguard, was trying to shoo from the park. Next stop was Buddy’s bar just in case Manny was singing to Karaoke (one of his favorite past times) with his fellow moose but Jason the world’s most friendliest barman assured Stevie he had been in but had left. He then made his way up to The Cider Press just in case Manny wanted some apple cider, but Lucy England assured Stevie that she had not seen Manny that day. Finally, Stevie noticed a trail of hoofprints by the Post Office and followed them… all the way to VonHart's Bakery. And there was Manny—standing inside all cozy and happily eating a dozen maple bars, and a loaf of sour dough bread, (the best bread in town may I mention). “Manny!” Stevie cried. “You can’t just disappear like that!” We were all so worried. What if something happened to you? Manny looked at him with frosting on his nose and his cheeks bulging with sour dough very clearly not sorry at all.
It was all Stevie could do gently leading Manny home, one maple bar at a time. When they got back, the whole town cheered with joy! Stevie had saved the day. Manny had a belly full of pastries. And the bakery had a new sign: “All Moose Welcome.” From that day on, whenever something went missing in Manson, everyone knew who to call, Stevie the Scarecrow: Firefighter, Hero, and Moose Wrangler.
G.Walsh
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