WAYNESBORO – Residents and businesses in Waynesboro turned out in force Saturday for the Main Street Waynesboro Inc. Scarecrow Contest, where whimsical creations vied for top honors during the bustling Market Day festivities.
Voting for the People’s Choice award concluded at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4, with participants encouraged to react to scarecrow photos on social media using likes, loves, cares or laughs, and to share their favorites in comments. Organizers announced the winner shortly after the deadline, declaring WACCO Properties’ entry, “Matilda of Hillcrest Haven,” as the overall People’s Choice recipient. The scarecrow also claimed first place in the Business Category.
In the Non-Profit/Individual Category, the Waynesboro Shade Tree Commission’s “Plant More Trees,” crafted by Tom McLoud, secured first place. Damascus Road Christian Academy’s elementary and middle school team took second with “Soldier of the Lord,” while the Waynesboro YMCA earned third for “Y’s Healthy Harvest Hannah.”
Other notable entries in the Non-Profit/Individual Category included St. Andrew Catholic School’s “Jak-O-Frosty,” Hearthstone Retirement Home’s “Old Mother Hubbard,” Damascus Road Christian Academy Pre-K through kindergarten’s “God’s Crayon Box,” Franklin County Indivisible’s “LaWuWu” and Noah and Gwen Rice’s “Mainstreet Minion.”
The Business Category featured stiff competition, with The Leland’s “Oogie Boogie” nabbing second place and Pyramid Healthcare’s “”Dorothy” Follow the Recovery Road” rounding out the top three. Additional contenders were Martin’s Food Store’s “Marty” and Sharon Petrie Realtor’s “Aladdin Genie.”
The event highlighted community spirit amid the fall season, drawing families to celebrate local creativity with themes ranging from seasonal puns to pop culture nods. Main Street Waynesboro Inc. organizers praised the turnout, noting the contest’s role in fostering neighborhood engagement during Market Day.
