Costa Mesa Scarecrow Festival

October 12, 2024, 2-6 p.m.

Lions Park
1845 Park Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA
Free, costamesaca.gov

Scarecrows, scarecrows, everywhere! If you would like to make a scarecrow and enter it in this festival/event, you can register your creation for free at costamesaca.gov/scarecrow

The Saturday Halloween-themed event presented by Costa Mesa Parks & Community Services includes some fun activities for all ages:

• Scarecrow Contest
• Kids Costume Contest
• Face Painting
• Trick or Treat Stations
• Pumpkin Decorating
• Games
• Food Trucks
• Mobile Recreation

Costa Mesa Scarecrow Festival History:

Over 75 years ago the city held a Scarecrow Festival. The photograph on the right of the boy with a farmer crow was actually an old black & white photo from the city's first scarecrow festival which ran from 1938 to 1941. We colorized the image to give it a lively look. When the scarecrow committee decided to bring the festival back in 2013 to celebrate Costa Mesa's 60th anniversary it was an instant hit.

The Governor Of Goat Hill, a scarecrow goat dressed in a tuxedo, rekindled an historical event first held in 1938 but discontinued in 1941 because of World War II. The Scarecrow Festival returned several seasons, initially to celebrate the city's 60th anniversary. That year the celebration committee considered the possibility of trying to set a scarecrow record,  3,125 scarecrows at one time.  They did not do so.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.