2026 Theme: Once Upon a Harvest…
A frog and a toad,
A mouse with a cookie,
Even a princess and a pea,
Turn these storybook pages
Life-size for all to see!
There’s something lurking in these trees: Scarecrows at Cheekwood! We’re hosting a few familiar guests along the Carell Dogwood Trail this year. Memorable characters and creatures from beloved storybooks will light up the trail day and night. A not-so-scary twist to these books will bring a sweet, but spooky, flair to the gardens this fall.
This year’s scarecrow theme is “Once Upon a Harvest…”
If you need to get inspired, look no further! Please remember that you may select any book or character you wish that meets the guidelines, not just the books listed below.
Here are a few ideas:
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
- The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault and Bill Martin, Jr.
- Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
- A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
- A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams
- Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Please note: Read these participation guidelines carefully. This year’s Scarecrows! exhibition will feature 14 scarecrows, which will be selected by a panel of jurors.
Please direct any questions to [email protected].
How to Participate
Deadlines outlined in the Timeline below
- Submit your application form including a description and sketch online by July 29, 2026.
- Await further communication from Cheekwood staff. We will notify you of your participation status by August 6, 2026.
- Continue brainstorming your scarecrow design.
- Pick up your scarecrow frame from Cheekwood. You must use this frame!
- Send in your group’s scarecrow name and your artist statement by August 18, 2026.
- Design and assemble your scarecrow.
- Deliver your scarecrow to Cheekwood and install it in the Carell Dogwood Garden by September 17, 2026.
- Visit your scarecrow at Cheekwood from September 18 – November 1, 2026.
- Come help us clean up and recycle your scarecrow by November 6.
Guidelines for Participation
- No mannequins may be used for the scarecrow display! PVC pipe frames are provided by Cheekwood—these frames must be used. Entries that use mannequins as the base will not be accepted or displayed.
- Your scarecrow must be no taller than 6 feet. This requirement is in place to avoid disturbing the trees on the trail.
- Scarecrows must be family friendly and appropriate for all audiences. Entries that are not in good taste, overly political, or contain overt brand advertising will not be accepted or displayed.
- Materials that can withstand being outdoors for the duration of the exhibition should be used. Any scarecrow that deteriorates beyond acceptable condition may be removed by Cheekwood at any time.
- Scarecrows cannot be cardboard based, and any sealants used must be applied prior to installation at Cheekwood. Please avoid the use of packing peanuts and similar materials, as they produce litter in the gardens.
- Scarecrows are to be delivered to Cheekwood fully assembled during the dates and times specified in Cheekwood communications. If a scarecrow is not fully assembled, Cheekwood staff will be unable to allow the group to install it.
- You must come to Cheekwood and help remove/recycle your scarecrow. Cheekwood staff will remove and dispose of scarecrows at the end of the exhibit if they are not picked up during specified times below. This cleanup effort helps us continue to offer the scarecrow exhibition opportunity to the Nashville community.
Timeline
Wednesday, July 8 | 9 AM
Online application opens!
Wednesday, July 29 by 5 PM
Online application forms due.
Thursday, August 6 by 5 PM
Participants will be notified of their participation status.
Wednesday, August 12 – Friday, August 14 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Participants must pick up scarecrow frames at Cheekwood Visitor Services Center.
Tuesday, August 18 by 5 PM
Participants must send scarecrow name and artist statement via e-mail to Cheekwood. If this is not completed, your scarecrow will not have a sign accompanying it.
Monday, September 14 | 8 AM – 12 PM and Thursday, September 17 | 12 – 5 PM
Participants’ completed scarecrows must be delivered to Cheekwood Visitor Services Center and installed by participants. If a scarecrow is not delivered by Thursday at 5 PM, Cheekwood will not install it.
Wednesday, November 4 – Friday, November 6 | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
It is required for participants to come to Cheekwood and help remove and/or recycle their scarecrows.
Friday, November 6 by 4:30 PM
If there are any remaining scarecrows, they will be removed and discarded by Cheekwood staff by end of day.
Questions? Contact the Education Team at [email protected].