Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival 2012 -- Friday 19th to Sunday 21st October

Festival Table of Contents...

Festival Background
Festival Dates
Prizes, Prizes & Prizes!
Street Entertainment
Scarecrow Trail
How to make a Scarecrow
Registration Details
Art Exhibitions
Contact Details

Watch the entertaining video below created by Better Homes & Gardens where the team build a Scarecrow and check out the competition (4:33 minutes).

View the Slideshow below highlighting the variety and type of Scarecrows shown during a typical Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival year (3:12 minutes).


Festival Background

The Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival is an annual welcome-all event for families and everyone who enjoys some fun and a great week-end in our very special environment just over an hour from Brisbane and 30 minutes from the Gold Coast.

The first Scarecrow Festival was held in 2008 and has been growing each year as more local residents, school students and business owners join in the challenge, and fun, of building and exhibiting a scarecrow.

The Scarecrow Festival gives locals and residents the opportunity to explore the Scarecrow Trail and enjoy the Mountain’s charming cafes, handicraft and antique shops, art galleries and wineries.

Watch this entertaining Scarecrow Festival video - Video ( 1:33 minutes)

Visitors can extend their time on the Mountain and enjoy an extra day of fun by staying at one of the local boutique accommodation houses, hotels, motels or camping facilities.

2012 Schedule....

After a winter hiatus, the Scarecrow Festival emerges mid spring. The mountain is fresh and full of new growth and vigor - the perfect scenario for the emergence of creative creatures known as our Scarecrow folk.

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Festival Dates

Festival Dates
Friday 19th - Sunday 21st October 2012.

Scarecrows competing for prizes are securely in place out on the Trail by noon on Friday 19th in time for judging. This is a perfect opportunity for those early bird visitors to beat the crowds and enjoy the artistic endeavours of our Scarecrow creators! For those with a way with words - it's their time to shine in the Poetry competition with its various categories.

Prizes, Prizes & Prizes!

The sponsors from 2011 listed below show why the Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival continues to grow and excite participants! Generosity and enthusiasm is just another facet of the Tamborine Mountain way of life. A huge Thank You to last years sponsors. a valuable part of our team.

2012 will see a varied list of categories to be finalised and opportunities for sponsorship are still available in some categories. For information on sponsoring please contact Pam Lambert Ph 5545 3595 or Kerry Sanders Ph 5545 1566. Welcome on board to Witches Falls Cottages, Avocado Sunset Bed and Breakfast, Mt Tamborine Marketing, Fudge Heaven and Muscatels at Tamborine Bed and Breakfast. What a great and generous start for 2012 sponsorship.

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Street Entertainment

Yes! It's true! The Mountain really will be alive with the sound of Music . . . . . and entertainment, belly dancing, face painting, busking and street activities. This all happens in Main Street, North Tamborine on Saturday 20th and moves across to Gallery Walk on Sunday 21st October. You can enjoy and participate in these inspiring performances of our local talent for FREE! If you have ideas or suggestions to contribute, please contact our Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival entertainment guru at Scarecrow Festival Entertainment

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Scarecrow Trail

It is expected that there will be in excess of 200 Scarecrows appearing along the 14 km signed trail (see image below)

Click here to save or print a copy of the Scarecrow Trail



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How to make a Scarecrow

S tart with the skeleton - usually a T frame of timber, pipes or something sturdy. Source Opshops for inspiration.
C hoose a concept - superheroes, traditional, cartoon - something with charm and character.
A rrange the body around the frame. You can use hessian or old feed or produce bags, old pillows, plastic/bubble wrap, paint cans, chicken wire, old clothes. Stuff with straw, foam, old newspapers, rags . . . .whatever gives a good body.
R eally secure this together. It has to withstand 3 days of admiration and sometimes an energetic bit of rain and wind. Rope, wire, string, tape - whatever it takes so that your scarecrow doesn't fall apart under pressure!
E nable your scarecrow to entice the judges or admiring visitors with eyes of buttons, felt, paint, stitching. Pantyhose for exposed arms, legs and heads looks realistic, are easy to stuff and sew, glue or tape.
C over the bits that need it - even a scarecrow needs Clothes! (Unless your scarecrow is made of garden plants, palm fronds, kikuyu grass or fruit and vegetables. Now that's really imaginative and YES it has been done!) Gloves, hats, boots, glasses, BLING really add that personality. (Remember the Opshops.)
R emember Register your scarecrow. There are great rewards - monetary and personal pride and satisfaction, not to mention the fun.
O verview and occupation. Step back and check that your scarecrow has been organised into a strong, secure character and decide what part of the garden, footpath or premises he will occupy for maximum viewing and safety. Once again, our wonderful chaps from The Mens Shed will patrol and do minor repairs on weather damaged scarecrows but the Onus is on you to construct a sturdy scarecrow that will withstand scrutiny and Scare the Feathers of the Crows!
W OW! Wasn't that Worthwhile?

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Special Exhibition by TMAC At The Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival

Tamborine Mountain Arts Collective will be running an exhibition of their works on Friday 19th through to Sunday 21st October. These artists and artisans will actively display their skills in painting in various mediums, felting, doll making, book binding, pottery, glass making, wearable art, sculptures and more.

Featured in the Studios & Events 2012 Cultural Trails of the Scenic Rim booklet - we are excited and proud to have them together in one venue demonstrating and showcasing a wonderful variety of creative activity.

Our Tamborine Mountain Arts Collective has a huge pool of talent with emerging and established artists looking forward to sharing their skills and knowledge with locals and visitors on this festive week end.

Venue to be advised.

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How to Register

Registration forms are available from Friday 14th September. Registration closes on Saturday 6th October.

Forms will be available online and at:

• Kendall Real Estate, cnr Siganto and School Road
• Doughty Park Visitor Information Centre, Main Western Road, North Tamborine
• Tamborine Mountain Library, cnr Main Street and Yuulong Road, North Tamborine
• Eagle Heights Post Office, Southport Avenue, Eagle Heights

Entry boxes for completed registration forms will also be located at those sites.

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Contact Details

We have setup a Facebook Page where you can find more interesting information, view additional images and be involved in discussions about the Festival.

Information is also available from the Festival Coordinator via email at Scarecrow Festival Coordinator and we welcome any extra questions or ideas that you have about the Scarecrow Festival.