GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — More than 20 local businesses in downtown Grand Rapids are participating in a scarecrow contest starting this weekend.
From Oct. 12-26, each business will display its themed scarecrow outside of its location for the public to vote on by scanning a QR code or visiting this form.
Kayla Benda, the organizer of the event through the Hotel District Business Association, said all of the scarecrows can be found downtown, mostly on Monroe Center.
"We're thrilled to see so many businesses participating this year, bringing a festive and creative spirit to downtown Grand Rapids," said Benda. "This is a great way to celebrate the season, support local businesses and get the community involved."
Benda said she and other local retailers wanted to come up with a way to bring families downtown in the season between ArtPrize and holiday shopping, and scarecrows made the top of the list.
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. partnered with the group for the contest and gave them a grant to fund all of the scarecrows.
On the weekends, organizers said hot cider and snacks will be available with the scarecrows while supplies last.
Visitors are encouraged to use the hashtag #GRScarecrows on social media to share their photos with the community.
"I think what we're really hoping for is to give families the opportunity to come back downtown, see a free event and just have people exploring the city, checking out places they may not know about," Benda said.
The winners of the contest will be announced on Oct. 27 and the top three businesses will be given a trophy to display in their stores.
Benda said they're hoping to make the contest an annual event.