Page 58 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 56 Autumn 2025

ZION SCARECROW

LUTHERAN CHURCH FESTIVAL
Presented by Diane Malone
It all started back in 2009 when an indi- resumed. In 2023, heavy early morning
vidual member of Zion Lutheran Church rain almost forced the festival's cancel-
thought having a Scarecrow Festival lation but the event was moved inside
would be a wonderful community out- at the last moment and raised almost
reach event. All money raised would go $3,000 for The Sisters' Project.
to a local charity. The first year's bene-
ficiary was the Wallingford Emergency The church is hoping to welcome even
Shelter and over $1,000 was raised. more festival-goers than ever before
this year!

The Scarecrow Festival Committee be-
gins meeting each year in the Spring to
decide upon a benefactor and to discuss
what tasks each member will oversee.
Monthly meetings are held to make sure
the Committee is on track for the big
day! The date of the Scarecrow Festival
is ALWAYS the third Saturday in October.

This year Zion Lutheran Church is con-
tinuing its tradition of holding a fun fam- The Scarecrow Festival will have over
ily event and craft fair for a good cause. 30 local crafters and vendors who will
Like in past years, 100% of the proceeds be selling a wide variety of items, many
from the festival will be donated to a handmade, and unique gift ideas. Get a
local charity. This year’s beneficiary is headstart on your Christmas shopping
Birthright of Greater Meriden, an an or- and get ready for Halloween and Fall
ganization that supports women who with many special items. There will be
are pregnant or think they may be preg- something for everyone including your
The festival took a few years off then in nant with free, confidential services, furry friends with homemade dog treats
2012 the Scarecrow Festival returned including referrals for medical support, from Doggie Delectables.
with more members of Zion participat- financial, legal and employment re-
ing. Almost $3,000 was donated to the sources, housing, counseling and more. Every year festival-goers enjoy free en-
Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis organiza- It provides pregnant women with ma- tertainment throughout the event. This
tion from that year’s festival. Thus began ternity clothes, a car seat, crib and mat- year Harold Walker will be returning to
a yearly tradition of the church mem- tress along with a bag and basket con- perform. Be sure to stop by the festival
bers coming together to raise money for taining items for the newborn. Support on October 18 to enjoy the music.
a local cause. Some of the benefactors continues to be provided to the family,
have included Fisher House VA, Adopt- including children's clothes and formu- The festival also includes plenty to do
a-Wish, ECAD (Educated Canine Assist- la, until the child is 2 1/2 years old. for the children including games and
ing Disabilities) and last year's benefi- prizes, hayrides, face painting, bounce
ciary Soups On at A Kinder Ground Cafe, What would the Scarecrow Festival be house and access to Little Zion's be-
to which $5,000 was donated. without scarecrows?! Candace Buck, loved playground. Another fun activity
the Director of Little Zion Preschool, asks for all ages is the build your own scare-
Through the years the event grew and the preschool families to participate crow area where everything you need
in 2017 and 2019 the Scarecrow Festi- in and support the Scarecrow Festival to build a fantastic looking scarecrow to
val’s Benefactor Coalition for a Better by building scarecrows. The scarecrow take home is provided at one low cost.
Wallingford received over $10,000 from contest is open to everyone. To
those two years’ festival’s proceeds. participate in the contest visit the What festival is complete without
church's website for more details, food!? Enjoy a reasonably priced lunch
When COVID struck, the Scarecrow including the rules on entering the from Hamburgers/Hot Dogs or Home-
Festival was on hold until 2022 when it contest, at zionlutheranwlfd.org. Town Pizza. Pick up some delicious

58 WALLINGFORD MAGAZINE - AUTUMN 2025