July 6

Build A Scarecrow Day

Unleash your creativity on Build A Scarecrow Day! It's all about fun, art, and scaring crows away from precious crops.

Yearly Date

First Sunday in July

Observed in

Introduction

Unleash your creativity on Build A Scarecrow Day! Mark your calendar for July 7, a day dedicated to this joyful and imaginative tradition. Scarecrows have been used by farmers for over 3,000 years, and their charm and utility endure today. Originating from Ancient Egypt, these lanky guardians were built to ward off birds from wheat fields along the Nile. Over the centuries, building scarecrows has turned into a form of folk art, beloved by communities around the world. So grab some straw, old clothes and let's celebrate Build A Scarecrow Day by crafting our own friendly (or fearsome!) field defenders. It's a great day to let your creativity soar and help protect crops at the same time! Can't wait to see what you create!

Build A Scarecrow Day Timeline

2500 BC

Scarecrow Origins

Ancient Egyptians develop the first recorded use of scarecrows to protect wheat crops along the Nile from birds.

500 AD

Roman Scarecrows

Scarecrows are used by the Romans and borrowed the idea from the Greeks who used wooden scarecrows to resemble Priapus, a son of the god Dionysus and known as protector of crops.

Middle Ages

European Scarecrow Traditions

In Medieval Europe, scarecrows take various forms based on regional cultures, further transforming scarecrow designs into local folk art.

1800s

Migration to North America

European immigrants introduce the scarecrow tradition to North America. Scarecrow designs and uses adapt to various needs across the diverse climates and cultures of America.

1900s

Scarecrows in Pop Culture

Scarecrows become increasingly prevalent in pop culture and literature, with the release of films like The Wizard of Oz, featuring the iconic character, Scarecrow.

21st Century

Build A Scarecrow Day

Build A Scarecrow Day, celebrated on July 7, keeps this long-standing tradition alive, encouraging individuals to express creativity and pay homage to this important part of agricultural history.

How to Celebrate Build A Scarecrow Day

1 Host a Scarecrow-making competition

Invite your friends or neighbors and host a scarecrow-making competition! Provide materials or ask everyone to bring their own. It's not just about the best scarecrow but about the fun and laughter, you share while building it.

2 Make a kids-friendly scarecrow

Engage your kids in building a friendly scarecrow. Let them design its "guest of honor" and help them put it together. It can be a fantastic way to teach them about farming and nature while having fun!

3 Visit a farm

Why not get inspired on the Build A Scarecrow Day by visiting a real farm? Many farms may have scarecrows set up and you can take some inspiration from the real environment.

4 Try different scarecrow themes

Scarecrows don't just have to be scary - they can be silly, funny, or even stylish. Try building different scarecrows based upon different themes - one dressed as a superhero, one as a local celebrity, or even one decked out in your favorite team's colors.

5 Donate your scarecrow

After you've built your wonderful scarecrow, consider donating it to a local community garden, school, or farm. It can help protect food resources year-round and give others joy each time they see the scarecrow you've skillfully crafted.

Why We Love Build A Scarecrow Day

Promotes Creativity

Build A Scarecrow Day encourages us to use our imagination in creating unique and fun designs. From its clothes, shape, to its face, the creation possibilities are virtually endless. It's not every day that we get to create a life-size figure that's both fun and functional!

Offers Educational Descriptions

Building a scarecrow allows us to teach children about the importance of farming and the practicality of scarecrows in maintaining crops. This hands-on experience makes the learning process more engaging and effective for young minds.

Community Bonding

Hosting a scarecrow making competition or donating your scarecrow to a local community fosters a sense of togetherness. Working towards a common goal encourages cooperation and unity, strengthening community bonds. Plus, it's just a lot of fun to see different scarecrow interpretations around town!