2026 Scarecrow Festival
Four fun featured activities for the whole family to enjoy!
🍎 Kimmel U-Pick | Entry Hours: Saturday, September 26th 10:00 AM –12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM | Sunday, September 27th 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Experience the fun of picking your own fresh apples right from the tree! Check in at the Kimmel U-Pick Barn, then hop aboard the hayrack for a scenic ride into the orchard.
Once you arrive, explore the orchard and pick your favorite apple varieties straight from the trees. When you’re finished, return to the U-Pick Barn to have your apples weighed and purchase your harvest.
*Pumpkins also available for purchase!
Come make memories, enjoy the orchard, and take home a taste of fall! 🍎
🎃 Build Your Own Scarecrow Contest
Build It. Decorate It. Enter It!
Join the fun of the 4th Annual Kimmel Scarecrow Festival and show off your creativity! Create an original, handmade scarecrow to be displayed throughout the orchard during the 2026
Kimmel Scarecrow Festival, September 26–October 31.
Whether your scarecrow is funny, festive, whimsical, or traditional, we want to see your creativity! Choose a family-friendly theme that everyone can enjoy.
🛠️ What We Provide
Each participant will receive the materials needed to build the basic scarecrow structure:
T-post with a 5-foot PVC cover with PVC T-connector and two 18-inch arms
12-inch top post to secure the scarecrow's head
Straw bales for stuffing, shared among participants
🎨 Make It Your Own!
All scarecrows must be original, handmade designs. Pre-purchased or commercially made scarecrows are not eligible.
Want some help getting started? Kimmel Kits are available for $25 and include pre-made decoration materials. Kits can be purchased at Kimmel Orchard's Apple Barn or online.
FREE Kimmel Kit: Participants may receive one free Kimmel Kit with proof of U-Pick Admission. Simply show your receipt at workshop check-in.
Please keep all designs family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Kimmel Orchard reserves the right to remove any entry deemed inappropriate.
📝 Enter the Contest
Each scarecrow must have its own completed registration form. Registration is required to participate and allows us to contact you if your scarecrow is selected for a prize.
👉 Register Your Scarecrow Online
🏆 Voting & Judging
Think your scarecrow has what it takes to win?
Round 1 — Finalist Selection
A Special Voting Committee made up of Kimmel employees and community members will select the Top 10 Scarecrow Finalists using a scoring matrix.
📅 Friday, October 9 at 3:00 PM
Final Round — Community Voting
The Top 10 finalists will compete for the win through public voting on Facebook.
📅 Monday, October 12–Friday, October 16
🏆 Winners announced Monday, October 19
🎁 Prize Pickup
The 1st-place winner will be contacted to arrange prize pickup during the week of October 20 or at another mutually agreed-upon time.
🌾 Scarecrow Pickup
Scarecrows may be picked up after the festival during the following period:
📅 October 26–November 6
Any scarecrows remaining after the pickup period will be removed during the week of November 9.
Ready to Get Creative?
Gather your supplies, dream up your design, and bring your scarecrow to life! We can't wait to see your creations filling the orchard this fall.
🎃 Register your scarecrow today and join the 2026 Kimmel Scarecrow Festival!
Questions? Contact Kimmel Orchard at (402) 873-5293.
No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Contest at Kimmel Orchard 🎃
Get creative at a free community workshop held at the Pavilion at Kimmel Orchard, in collaboration with Morton-James Public Library (MJPL)! MJPL will provide materials for decorating during the workshops, so just bring your creativity and get ready to have fun.
To enter the No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Contest, please register online.
Workshop Dates:
Sunday, September 27: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Wednesday, October 7: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Categories include:
🎃Best Floral/Autumn-Themed Pumpkin
🎃Best Animal-Themed Pumpkin
One Adult and one Youth prize will be awarded in each category. Bring any additional materials you’d like to use. All entries are due Friday, October 9 at noon.
Scarecrow Fields Hayrack Rides (Saturdays only on October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st)
The fields of Kimmel Orchard are fully ornamented with scarecrows. Come and see all the mysterious creations.
Pre-register to hold your Scarecrow Fields Hayrack Ride here.
