By Polina Zadirey, Contributing Writer
On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village hosted an annual Scarecrow Festival in Dade City from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Many families and friends came to have fun and enjoy the event.
There were a lot of activities to experience. There was a petting zoo where you could hug a pig, goat, or the cutest three-month-old cow, pony rides, vendors, crafts, and face painting. Many people came to build scarecrows and paint pumpkins to decorate their houses for Halloween.
Arabella Jarjo, a middle school student, attended the festival.
“It is not my first year here. It is a lot of fun… making a scarecrow is my favorite part. I am going to use it as a decoration for Halloween outside of a house,” Jarjo said.
People come every year to prepare home decorations for Halloween. This is an excellent opportunity to make a special knickknack by yourself or with your family and friends.
Many students came with their teachers and classmates to volunteer. Zephyrhills High School presented a petting zoo and scarecrow building.
Mariano Martinez, a volunteer at the festival, shared his experience.
“I am volunteering for this festival for the second year. It is absolute fun being here with all my friends and teachers. We made some scarecrows by ourselves and will take [it]to our school to decorate it,” said Martinez.
Special mention should be made of the fantastic food served there: delicious corndogs, Mexican-style corn, homemade lemonade, and much more.
“The taco station is so good!” said Martinez.
Many small family businesses were presenting their products. Visitors could get any decoration for their homes. People who prefer comfort and coziness could find handmade blankets and candles with a beautiful smell.
For those who appreciate jewelry, there were many bracelets, necklaces, and earrings for every taste. And those who wanted to continue enjoying the festival afterward could get homemade honey and cookies.
So, if you are looking for things to do next fall, you must visit the Dade City Scarecrow Festival. It is fun, and events like this bring people together, inspire artistic expression, and provide an enjoyable environment for audiences of all ages and suitable for families.
