Scarecrow Fest returns to Phelps

The 17th annual Phelps Scarecrow Fest will bring fall activities, live music, food, craft vendors and the Spooktacular Car Show to downtown Phelps Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by the Phelps Woman’s Club, the festival will feature the Snag-a-Bag Boutique, pumpkin chuckin’, a quilt and fine arts show, a fall mum sale and children’s activities coordinated by the Phelps Library.

Raffle basket drawings will be held at the Woman’s Club tent at 1 and 3 p.m., with 50/50 drawings throughout the day beginning at 11 a.m.

Food, beer and free chili will be served, along with homemade wine tastings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Music will be provided by Shannon Hauser & Friends and DJ Marc Ralston.

The Spooktacular Car Show will feature vintage and classic cars and motorcycles.

There is no entry fee for the car show, and preregistration is not required. Registration will take place the day of the show from 8 to 11 a.m., with the first 50 registered participants receiving a commemorative dash plaque.

Voting will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with trophies presented at 3 p.m. People’s Choice trophies will be awarded for Best of Show, Most Unique and Spooktacular Decor. Spooktacular décor is optional.

A new attraction this year will offer free side-by-side rides from Scarecrow Fest to New Orchard and Whistling Whimsy, both located on Volkmann Road. Volunteers from the Phelps Snowmobile Club will provide rides throughout the festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with pickup near the barricade by Sweet Treats Ice Cream Shop.

Children’s helmets will be provided, and each ATV will have a tip jar to benefit the snowmobile club.

New Orchard will offer apple picking, baked apple treats and a boutique, while Whistling Whimsy will feature giant bubbles for children, farmstead items, bouquets, grazing cattle and fall photo opportunities.

Proceeds from Scarecrow Fest stay within the Phelps community and support the Eleanor Ellis Public Library, Project Santa, local food pantries, Phelps community projects and events, Kindness Krew and local scholarships.

Admission and parking are free. ATVs will transport visitors from parking areas to the festival, and golf carts will assist those using accessible parking behind the Phelps Historical Museum on Highway E.

For more information about Scarecrow Fest, visit phelpsscarecrowfest.org, follow Phelps Scarecrow Fest on Facebook or call 715-522-0535. For car show questions, contact Ray Sorenson at ray@blackdogcars.com or Marc Engberg at marc@blackdogcars.com.