Signature festival · since 1996
The Scarecrow Festival & Antique Fair
Every autumn, this town of about a thousand people stages over 250 life-sized, handmade scarecrows along its streets, in front of its shops, and in the gardens of its homes.
The festival started in 1996 and has become our most beloved community event — equal parts art installation, fall fair, and excuse to spend a Saturday wandering the prettiest small town in Canada with a coffee in your hand.
What to expectA 30-minute walk, a 250-scarecrow show
- 250+ scarecrows along Main, Edgewater, and the side streets — traditional, absurd, occasionally pointed.
- Antique Fair — vendors from across the Maritimes.
- Pie-Baking Contest — celebrity judges, $500 grand prize, slices for sale at $5.
- Pumpkin Path Gallery of carved pumpkins.
- Live music, a giant book sale, Legion brunch, bake sale, yard sales, 50/50 draw.
- Kids' activities all weekend and a photography contest.
How to do it well
- Park before 10 am or after 4 pm on weekends.
- Walk, don't drive — the whole festival is a 30-minute stroll.
- Book your stay early — inns and B&Bs fill up by August.
- The Mahone Bay Museum stays open weekends throughout the festival.
Over 120 volunteers. Zero corporate sponsors. One pie contest. — what makes the festival a festivalBehind the festival
The Scarecrow Festival is run by Festivals of Mahone Bay, an independent registered non-profit, with the help of over 120 volunteers.