National Build a Scarecrow Day

Birds better watch out, it's National Build a Scarecrow Day! Scarecrows are built to keep birds like blackbirds, crows, ravens, sparrows, and ducks out of gardens and farm fields, in an effort to protect crops. National Build a Scarecrow Day takes place in early July, when garden growth is in full swing, so the day provides a great opportunity for people to build a scarecrow and put it in their garden. Sometimes scarecrow building events are organized by museums and other organizations on the day. Scarecrows are usually made with straw or hay and covered with old clothes, being shaped like humans, and are often held up with a pole.

Some of the first scarecrows were created in ancient Egypt to keep away quail, being made of tunics and nets hung on reeds. Later, the Greeks and Romans put wooden statues of gods in fields to scare away birds, and Japanese rice farmers dressed up objects with hats and raincoats in their fields. Romans introduced scarecrows to Europe, marching with them as they moved across the continent. Europeans began stuffing old clothes with straw, topping them with gourds made to look like heads, and mounting them on poles in their fields. European immigrants brought them to the United States, where they also gained popularity.

With the rise of pesticides following World War II, fewer scarecrows were used for their original purpose, and were instead more often used for decoration during fall, to celebrate Halloween and the harvest season. Today, scarecrows are a cultural symbol of farms and the countryside. They are also a part of festivals, with scarecrow festivals being common. They also get their own day today with National Build a Scarecrow Day!

How to Observe National Build a Scarecrow Day

Build a scarecrow and put it in your garden or field! Make sure to check for scarecrow building events being hosted by museums and other organizations near you. If you have kids, you could encourage them to create scarecrow crafts. You could also plan to attend an upcoming scarecrow festival such as the Cambria Scarecrow Festival, St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend, Durrow Scarecrow Festival, or Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival.

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