No politics in ‘straw man’ votes
Judging Sept. 18 kicks off Scarecrow Days in Old Town

       This being a political season, a “straw man” is a typical tactic in candidate arguments. But in the Old Colorado City Historic District, actual straw men (and women) are starting to appear in plain view on street corners and in front of various shops.
       The displays are part of the annual Scarecrow Days promotion by the Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA) merchants group. A competition for the best-looking merchants' scarecrows will culminate in judging starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 in the historic shopping district.
       “OCCA members make scarecrows themselves and put them on the corners,” OCCA President Nancy Stovall said. “We also ask each store to do one that reflects their business.”
       At 11 a.m. in the Old Town Plaza (at 25th and Colorado), six area high school drama clubs will have their own scarecrow decorating contest, with the winning entries being crowned king and queen of Scarecrow Days and receiving a cash prize from OCCA.
       The merchant scarecrow winner last year was the Doll Doctor shop, 2423 W. Colorado Ave. “It was dressed in doctor's scrubs with an IV thing and was holding a doll that it was fixing. It was really cute,” Stovall said.
       Another entry she thought was clever last year was the one by Front Range Barbeque, 2330 W. Colorado Ave. It was called a “steercrow.”
       The judges Sept. 18 are expected to include local media and political celebrities.
       Once the scarecrows are out, the plan is to display the creations daily until Halloween.
       Typically, about 40 store owners make scarecrows, Stovall said.
       The following upcoming OCCA-organized events are also tied in with Scarecrow Days:
       Saturday, Sept. 25 - A Taste of Colorado City, in which people can buy tickets for $3 to sample food from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from a number of Old Colorado City restaurants and specialty-food vendors.
       Saturday, Oct. 16 - A pumpkin-carving contest in Bancroft Park. The contest is open to the public, with prizes donated by Old Town merchants.
       Saturdays through Oct. 16 - Scarecrow Bucks promotion, with customers being entered in drawings for “bucks” that can be redeemed at participating shops.
       Saturday, Oct. 30 - Peak Street Harvest Festival Carnival in Bancroft Park, including free carnival games, treasure hunts and cartoon caricatures, plus silent and live auctions for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for abused and neglected children.
       Sunday, Oct. 31 - “Safe Treats” - trick or treating on the Avenue, followed by a costume contest.

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