St. Charles Kicks Off 41st Annual Scarecrow Weekend Along Fox River
GMedia Ground Reporting | Oct 10, 2026
St Charles, IL – Autumn returned in full force across downtown St. Charles this weekend as the 41st annual Scarecrow Weekend drew heavy foot traffic to both sides of the Fox River. Thousands of visitors gathered to celebrate the cherished community tradition.
Mayor Clint Hull welcomed attendees in a kickoff video reel. He highlighted the scale of the festival and its local impact.
“We are so excited to welcome everyone back to downtown St. Charles for our 41st annual Scarecrow Weekend,” Hull shared. “With over 120 handcrafted scarecrows on display across our city, live entertainment, and incredible local business specials, there is something for every family to enjoy.”
On the ground, visitors navigated crowded sidewalks and public plazas while exploring handmade scarecrow entries. Children stopped to interact with the displays along the walkways. Attendees also lined up for photos at designated backdrops.
Live music served as a central focal point across multiple festival stages. At 1st Street Plaza, local artist Nicole DeVine performed for gathered crowds. Meanwhile, musical group 13 Days took the stage under the band cover as their set got underway. Activity remained steady across Lincoln Park, Riverside Avenue, and 1st Street Plaza throughout the day.
“Events like this showcase what makes St. Charles such a vibrant and tight-knit community,” Hull stated. “Whether you’re visiting the new Family Zone in Lincoln Park, voting for your favorite scarecrow display, or supporting our local merchants, we hope you take the opportunity to experience everything our downtown has to offer.”
The multi-day autumn celebration continues through the weekend.
