Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC), Wiscasset Parks and Recreation, Wiscasset Public Library, First Congregational Church of Wiscasset and other area businesses and organizations have pulled together to provide a week of festivities celebrating fall with Scarecrowfest ’19.

Business, school groups, town and civic organizations are welcome to build a scarecrow and submit it for judging in the annual Scarecrow Contest. All scarecrows will be displayed starting Saturday, Oct. 12 on the Town Common. Participation fee for WACC members is  $15 per scarecrow;  $20 for non-members. Deliver scarecrows  between 10 a.m. and noon for registration and set up at the head of the Common. 

The WW & F Railway, (Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington) Railway Pumpkin Trains are running October 12 and 13 at 10:30 a.m., noon, and 1:30 p.m. Trains leave from Sheepscot Station (97 Cross Road, Alna) for Sea Lyon Farm where a hay ride will take passengers to their pumpkin patch for pumpkin picking and other activities. After you've picked your pumpkin, ride the train back to Sheepscot. Train tickets available at wwfrytickets.simpletix.com are $10/adults, $9/60+ and military, $5/4-12 and free/birth-3. Purchase your pumpkin directly from Sea Lyon Farm at the event.

The fun continues through the week with Family Spooks & Screams at Wiscasset Public Library on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m. Scary stories and other free activities sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

On Thursday, Oct. 17 the Common returns to life with our first ever Chili and Chowder Challenge, a fundraising benefit by First Congregational Church for the Special Needs Fund. The fund provides resources for local families in need of heating assistance, clothing and other basic necessities. So, if people love your chowder or chili, enter it in our contest and you may win a great prize.

If chili or chowder is not your specialty, then maybe you can enter our Pumpkin Dessert contest! We are looking for all desserts sweet and pumpkin filled! This contest will benefit the Cooper DiPerri scholarship fund, which provides funding to area children and families to participate in programs offered by Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Department. Cost to register for each contest is $5.

Morris Farm will kick off Saturday, Oct. 19  Scarecrowfest activities by hosting a Farmers Breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the farm; a per person donation is suggested. Then at the Common from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be scarecrow building, pumpkin painting, face painting, food and music to wrap up Scarecrowfest! Build a scarecrow. We will provide the supplies. Cost is $5 if you want to leave it with us to display or $10 if you want to take it home. Pumpkin painting is $3 per pumpkin and face painting is a suggested $2 donation.

A festive, fun and free Pumpkin Roll will take place at the library at noon. Prizes will be given in several categories: the youngest contestant, the longest roll, straightest roll, and the craziest roll, to name a few. Each contestant will go home with a pumpkin, and hopefully with a prize. The Pumpkin Roll is for kids ages 3-10 and is limited to 30 children. This event is sponsored by the Garden Club of Wiscasset and the library. The library will also be having its popular Book Sale! 

Music, starting at 12:30 p.m., will be provided by musical duo “Rick and the Redhead,” generously sponsored by The First National Bank. There will be food and drinks being served up by the Congregational Church, and soups and breads will be available from Sarah’s Café. The WMHS class of 2024 will also be having a bake sale. All food is an additional cost. 

To register for the Scarecrow contest, Chili and Chowder Challenge or the Pumpkin Dessert Contest, please go to www.wiscassetrec.com

You may also register in person at Wiscasset Community Center. There is a small fee to register for these events. You may also contact Pat Cloutier at WACC for more information on these contests.

A detailed schedule will be available at www.wiscassetchamber.com or www.wiscassetrec.com, or at either of these places to pick up. For more information, call Cloutier at 882- 9600 or Parks and Recreation at 882-8230.