Jeannette Ross photos
There was a pirate, princess, Willy Wonka, Minnie Mouse, Madeline, Spiderman, and several incarnations of Olaf the snowman from the movie Frozen, but at the end of the judging it was “HandyMinion,” a cheerful yellow handyman with helmet, toolbelt and oversized goggles that took the “best overall” title in this year’s Scarecrow Fest.
Handy topped 31 other submissions from Wilton-based businesses, organizations, clubs and families.
The annual competition was sponsored by the Wilton Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the town of Wilton and Trackside Teen Center, and had a “Movie & TV Character” theme.
The creative scarecrows were hung on more than 50 lampposts in Wilton Center to be displayed during the last two weeks of October.
A panel of judges reviewed the scarecrows and the winners were announced on Saturday, Oct. 27, just as the Chamber’s Pumpkin Parade + Trick-or-Treating event kicked off.
This year’s winning scarecrows are:
• Best Overall: “HandyMinion” by Wilton Handyman.
• Most Creative: “Mork from Ork” by William Pitt Sotheby’s.
• Scariest: “ScareMare on Elm Street” by the Wilton Pony Club.
• Most Traditional: “Green Eggs & Ham” by Bright Horizons at Wilton.
• Funniest: “Evan Almighty” by Wilton Congregational Church.
• Honorable Mention: “Say No to Bullying” by Steve DeMasco’s Shaolin Studio.
“This year’s entries were extraordinary and our participants truly outdid themselves,” said Chamber President Patrick Russo.
Other submissions included a Snoopy scarecrow by Canine Company, Girl Scout Troop 50877 and Halstead Property’s Charlie Brown scarecrows, a Willy Wonka scarecrow created by the Mims, Pattillo and Mannix families, Matilda by Troop 50715, Oscar the Grouch by Zion’s Hill Preschool, and many more.
Judges were Wilton Superintendent of Schools Kevin Smith; Wilton Bulletin editor, Jeannette Ross; Wilton Police Officer Diane MacLean; Scoops of Wilton owner Kevin Wall; and Wilton photographer Peggy Garbus.
“The Chamber would like to thank Wilton Parks & Recreation for carefully installing each scarecrow, Trackside Teen Center for their support and the Wilton community for their outstanding creativity and continued dedication,” said Mr. Russo.
“We are thrilled that this has become one of Wilton’s favorite traditions, and are looking forward to next year.”