Autumn is still a couple weeks away, but organizers of the 12th annual Preston City Congregational Church Scarecrow Festival want people, businesses and civic groups to plan ahead and craft their best scarecrow now for the annual contest that accompanies the popular fall event.

The Scarecrow Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at the church located at 321 Route 164, the junction of routes 164 and 165. Admission is free. The event will feature more than 65 vendors and crafters, a live broadcast by WCTY-FM 97.7 and K-HITS-FM 101.9, a health screening van, children’s activities, a petting zoo and fire safety demonstrations with Smokey Bear.

A chowder shack and bakery booth will offer food during the day, and the festival concludes with the popular chicken barbecue from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on the church grounds.

While the festival planners would be pleased if you mark the calendar and plan to bring the kids and friends to the festival, the real push now is for scarecrow entries.

“We’re really pushing for applications from businesses, individuals and groups,” event marketing volunteer Nancy Musa said. “There’s no entry fee, and it’s a free promotion for your business.”

And a great way to coax some creativity from employees, scout troops and children. Last year’s submissions included All Friends’ Animal Hospital in Norwich with a pumpkin-headed scarecrow dressed in surgical garb with a face mask positioned at a table. A stuffed dog lying on the table awaited treatment. Holdridge Home & Garden in Ledyard used a colorful scarecrow display to highlight its own upcoming fall events.

The contest has several categories. The business category, called Main Street, has 20 available spots for festival booths and scarecrow displays.

Scarecrows must be delivered and set up on Friday, Sept. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. or Saturday morning from 8 to 9 a.m. and must remain until the end of the festival. Scarecrows entered by individuals and civic groups will be displayed throughout the festival grounds.

Displays can promote the business, carry a theme — such as checking account information for a bank, as was done last year — and even have coupons attached. But leave the politics and news controversies at home.

“Scarecrows must be constructed to withstand the weather and be in good taste,” the registration form and guidelines state. “No entry will be accepted that reflects controversial or political situations.”

Judging of scarecrows will be by popular vote of festival goers. Voting will be done by secret ballot until 2:45 p.m. during the festival. Winners will be announced at 3:45 p.m. The winning business will receive a cash prize and a plaque to display at their business.

Other contest categories include adult and children’s entries, vendors and a “pastor’s choice” winner.

For information on the festival, go to www.prestoncitycongregational.org/scarecrow-festival or call (860) 887-4647 or email scarecrowfestival.2017@gmail.com.

c.bessette@theday.com