3 great scarecrow trails in the Huntsville area

A whimsical wizard lizard scarecrow at Huntsville Botanical Garden — The delightful Salvador the Salamancer scarecrow sponsored by Little Mountain Forest School at Huntsville Botanical Garden (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

While scarecrows are meant to keep birds and pests away from crops, human admirers are absolutely welcome at several great scarecrow trails around North Alabama.

Here are three spots for scarecrow lovers to catch before October ends.

Witchy Woodlands Scarecrow Trail @ Huntsville Botanical Garden

A playhouse that landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, part of a scarecrow trail at Huntsville Botanical Garden — Displays at the Witchy Woodlands Scarecrow Trail at Huntsville Botanical Garden range from nontraditional to classic. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

A scarecrow at Huntsville Botanical Garden surrounded by flowers — Displays at the Witchy Woodlands Scarecrow Trail at Huntsville Botanical Garden range from nontraditional to classic. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

Huntsville Botanical Garden’s annual Festifall season makes it an autumn essential, with new events like the adults-only Spellbound evening experience joining the mix this year (Oct. 16-19 only!) alongside longtime favorites like Little Monsters Mash and the Scarecrow Trail.

This year’s theme was “Witchy Woodlands,” and local businesses, organizations and individuals went all out on the theme.

There’s still time to vote for your favorite to win the Fan Favorite Award by visiting HBG’s event album on Facebook; the scarecrow with the most likes through Oct. 30 takes the honor. Judges will choose other winners for most on-theme, most creative and best of show, with all winners announced on Oct. 31.

📍 Huntsville Botanical Garden

Where: 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
When: October regular hours are Monday-Saturday, 9AM-6PM; 11AM-6PM Sunday | Visit HBG’s website for special event hours
Cost: Regular admission is free for members + kids age 2 or younger | Non-member admission ranges from $13-$20
More Info: Facebook | Website

Scarecrow Strolls in Athens

A Snoopy and a goat scarecrows at Isom's Orchard in Athens, Alabama, one of three great places with scarecrow trails — You’ll find wildly creative scarecrows all around town in Athens. (City of Athens)

A pumpkin king scarecrow in front of a home in the historic district of Athena, Alabama, one of three great places with scarecrow trails — You’ll find wildly creative scarecrows all around town in Athens. (City of Athens)

There are dozens of scarecrow sightings over in Athens, where residents embrace the tradition of placing these harbingers of harvest time in their yards and in front of businesses through October.

This year, the Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission created a logo and signage to promote a Scarecrow Stroll, which simply encourages folks to explore and discover scarecrows at their own pace. The top spots to find them are:

🍎 Isom’s Orchard, 24012 US-72, Athens, AL 35613
🏡 Beaty Historic District, 200 S Beaty St, Athens, AL 35611
🏛️ Downtown Athens Business District, 200 W Washington St, Athens, AL 35611

Scarecrows in the Park in Priceville

A butterfly themed Day of the Dead scarecrow sponsored by Casa Santiago Mexican Grill at the Scarecrows in the Park at Veterans Park in Priceville, Alabama. — This year’s winning scarecrows among over 50 displayed at Scarecrows in the Park in Priceville. (Junior League of Morgan County)

A caregiver scarecrow sponsored by Hospice of the Valley at the Scarecrows in the Park at Veterans Park in Priceville, Alabama — This year’s winning scarecrows among over 50 displayed at Scarecrows in the Park in Priceville. (Junior League of Morgan County)

You’ve got a couple more weeks to admire the 50+ scarecrows on display for the Junior League of Morgan County’s annual Scarecrows in the Park trail at Veterans Park in Priceville, a fundraiser for Morgan County Child Advocacy Center.

Entries were judged at a trick-or-treating event on Oct. 11, with honors going to Casa Santiago Mexican Grill (first), Habitat for Humanity (second), Pals4Paws/Three Bees Thrift Shop (third) and Hospice of the Valley (people’s choice).

☕️🍁Local tip: When you go, swing through Crossroads Coffee Company, a cute little drive-through shop right by the park, which we recently included in a roundup of best spots for fall drinks in Decatur.

📍Scarecrows in the Park

Where: Veterans Park in Priceville, Highway 67 S, just south of Priceville Foodland
When: Daily, dawn to dusk
More Info: Facebook

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