Cockayne Farmstead ‘Scarecrow Lane’ Winners Announced

Photo provided

The Cockayne Farmstead has announced the winners of this year's Scarecrow Lane contest.

First place, which included a $75 prize, went to the Ladies League of Marshall County. The ladies made a scarecrow that depicted country music star Dolly Parton.

Second place, which included a $50 prize, went to the Glen Dale 707 Club. The third-place winner was made by the Glen Dale Country Bums 4H Club and included two smaller scarecrows. Third place received a $25 prize.

To vote for their favorite scarecrows, people were asked to purchase tickets. Proceeds from the ticket sales benefit the ongoing job of preserving the Cockayne Farmstead, which is a project of the Marshall County Historical Society.

Kara Gordon, site manager for Cockayne Farmstead, said previously that the contest is a fun way to celebrate the fall season and raise money for the site. She said fundraisers, grants and donations all help keep the site open.

"We ended up with 11 scarecrows this year, which is a few less than last year but still plenty to fill the yard," she said Wednesday. "We had lots of people stop to look at them, especially a lot of parents and grandparents bringing their kids or grandchildren as a fun fall activity.

"I think it's something the community has come to look forward to and we do too, so I say that's a success.

"Everything we make from events like this is used to fund the preservation and operation of the farmstead, to keep it open as a valuable resource to the community and to put on programs throughout the year for all ages."

The Cockayne Farmstead's biggest annual fundraiser is its Golf Scramble, but smaller events such as Scarecrow Lane also help a lot.

The winners of the contest were announced and congratulated on the farmstead's social media. Meanwhile, the farmstead still has its World War II exhibit, titled "We Did Our Part," on display inside the house. It will be available for the public to see for another month. After that the farmstead will start decorating for the Christmas season.

The World War II exhibit was installed as part of the farmstead's World War II History Day held in September.