Caroline Edwards
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Fort Mill, S.C.) — During the month of October, dozens of scarecrows line the streets of downtown Fort Mill, as a way to promote local businesses and draw people into the area.

“I love walking down Main Street and seeing all the scarecrows during this time of year. It’s a good way to begin the seasonal change from summer to fall,” said Fort Mill resident Carly McCarthy.

The 8th annual Scarecrow Crawl allowed downtown businesses and other groups to display a scarecrow around Fort Mill, which allows people to get into the holiday spirit and show their creativity.

“To me the Scarecrow Crawl is an opportunity for businesses and residents, or different organizations, to put together a family friendly scarecrow and place them throughout the area, so it brings the community into the downtown Fort Mill area,” said Lisa Morton, who was in her second year of participating in the event.

Jacona Hester, coordinator of the event, said this year there were a record number of participants.

Scarecrow Crawl Astronauts
American Legion Post 43 in Fort Mill created this moon landing display, featuring scarecrow versions of astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, for the annual Scarecrow Crawl (photo: Caroline Edwards).

“When we first started out there were only about five scarecrows and this year we have grown to 142,” Hester said.

“I have so many favorite scarecrows. The American Legion Post 43, here in Fort Mill, they always do an amazing scarecrow. You can’t miss them, they did the landing on the moon this year, the astronauts. They are just always doing an incredible job and it’s just so exciting to see what they come up with every year, but we have so many wonderful scarecrows,” she said.

The event also included Weekends on Main, which featured live music and food.