Scarecrow hunters from Methven Pre School have loved joining in the thrill of the scarecrow trail and getting up close to their ‘famous fairytale character’ friend.
The trail is an annual event which draws people into Methven. It finishes on Sunday.
Co-organiser Gillian Heald said the scarecrow trail is a combination of the people who make the scarecrows and the people who come and look.
‘‘About half of the makers are businesses who put them in their window or close by and the other half are schools, preschools and individual people. I think this is a lovely mix.”
Heald said having scarecrows in the centre of town and then further out makes it easy for hunters to do the centre, have a wee break and then hop back on their bikes or whatever and find the others dotted around the township.
“You can come for the day. It’s a lovely whole day school holiday activity.”
Holding the trail at this time of year is no accident.
‘‘This is at the shoulder season and otherwise not a lot would be happening. The ski season hasn’t quite geared up yet, so it’s a perfect activity for the town as well.”
The other side of the coin is the individuals and groups who enjoy coming to autumnal Methven to take part.
‘‘The town is buzzing with grandparents, grandkids, parents with buggies and retirement home mini vans.”
Heald said when they first took over managing the scarecrow trail in 2013 there were mainly Methven and Ashburton participating but as word spread the visitor demographic slowly began to shift.
‘‘Now it has changed from being sort of 80 per cent locals to 60 per cent from out of town. More coming from Christchurch, Rolleston, wider Canterbury and of course people who (are in) Methven for their school or Easter holidays.”
Heald also attributes the continued support for the event to the monies raised go to charity.
‘‘This is something people really want to invest in for the town because it will go to a good cause. Over the years we have done things like a defibrillator for the Methven Medical Centre and ambulance support and all those good things.”
Trail fun: Scarecrow hunters wishing to join in the hunt have until April 19 to collect trail maps from the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, cost $15 per group (up to five persons).
