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Scarecrow and Carved Pumpkin Registration

We invite you to participate in the Scarecrow Festival at the Ashton Gardens. Anyone can register! New this year – submit a scarecrow or a carved pumpkin! Families, community groups, businesses, schools, and individuals are all welcome to participate. Entering your scarecrow or pumpkin into the festival is free. 4 Complimentary Scarecrow Festival Admission Passes are included with the submission of a scarecrow or pumpkin. The festival is included with regular Gardens admission. Garden admission/Scarecrow Festival is free for Thanksgiving Point Members.

Only new scarecrows or pumpkins are eligible for prize entry. Scarecrow and Carved Pumpkin Judging will take place during the event and announced post-event. For a complete list of prizes visit the main event page.

 

Key Information

Location: Ashton Gardens, 3900 N. Garden Drive, Lehi, Utah 84048.
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026, 6 pm. No Scarecrows or Carved Pumpkins will be accepted after this time.
Scarecrow Drop Off: Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 11 am – 4 pm (More details will be shared via Email Monday, October 5.)
Event: Monday, October 12 through Saturday, October 17, 2026, 9 am – 7 pm each day.
Scarecrow Pick-Up: Monday-Friday, October 19-23, 2026. Participants will need to pick up their scarecrow by Friday, October 23. All scarecrow left at the gravel lot will be disposed of the following Monday.

 

Scarecrow Regulations

  • Assembly: Build your scarecrow to be freestanding; easily carried by two people and weigh less than 100 lbs. Scarecrows should be homemade and at least 36 inches tall. Scarecrows will be dropped off in front of the Ashton Gardens Visitors center where our Gardens Staff will be setting up your scarecrow OR instruct you on a place where you can set up your scarecrow. Thanksgiving Point will provide stakes that have been placed in pre-selected locations. Your scarecrow should be ready to go at the drop off so our staff can mount it with no problems. If you have further questions about this, please contact Signature Experiences.
  • Durability: scarecrows are set in the Ashton Gardens, an outdoor venue that is subject to all manner of weather. Cardboard will not last the duration of the event and is discouraged for most scarecrow construction. Please try to make your scarecrow durable so that it can last throughout the week. Judging of scarecrows tends to happen later in the week, so if your scarecrow is not durable you will be less likely to win a prize.

Carved Pumpkins Regulations

  • Pumpkin Requirements: Pumpkins must be real, carved pumpkins and should be easy for one person to carry. We recommend carving your pumpkin within 24–48 hours of drop-off so it stays looking its best throughout the display. Pumpkins should be ready for display when dropped off at the Ashton Gardens Visitors Center, where our Gardens Staff will place them in their designated display location. If you have any questions about drop-off or display, please contact the Signature Experiences team.
  • Durability: Pumpkins will be displayed outdoors in the Ashton Gardens and are subject to weather, sunlight, wildlife, and natural decomposition. While we will do our best to care for each pumpkin, we cannot guarantee its condition throughout the festival. We encourage participants to use carving techniques that will help preserve their pumpkin for as long as possible. Judging will take place later in the week, so pumpkins that remain in good condition will have the best opportunity to win a prize.
  • Lighting & Decorations: For the safety of our guests and gardens, candles and open flames are not permitted. Battery-operated LED lights are welcome but should be securely placed inside the pumpkin. Any additional decorations must be securely attached and able to withstand outdoor conditions.

General Regulations & AGreement

  • Family Friendly Entries: Thanksgiving Point is a destination for family-friendly entertainment. Pumpkin designs must be appropriate for guests of all ages. Entries containing offensive, explicit, political, or otherwise inappropriate content will not be accepted and may be removed from the display.
  • Clean up: Cleanup will commence following the event on Monday the 19. Thanksgiving Point is not responsible for anything left in the Gardens past Monday night. Please bring your own garbage bags. Any scarecrows or pumpkins not picked up by the designated deadline will be composted or disposed of.
  • Trash and Recycling: Please take everything home with you, including any large platforms, branches, supplies, etc. We encourage you to recycle usable art materials whenever possible.
  • Admission: You may use your four complimentary admission passes during the festival to visit your pumpkin display. Please note these are one-time-use passes. If you would like to visit on multiple days, regular garden admission will be required.
  • Questions: All concerns and questions can be directed to our Signature Experiences team at SigExperiences@ThanksgivingPoint.org.

Thanksgiving Point is not responsible for pumpkins or decorative items that become lost, stolen, damaged, or affected by weather, wildlife, or natural decomposition during the event.

Scarecrow Festival is a unique and transformative community event, and we are grateful for your collaboration and creativity. We thank you in advance for following these rules to ensure the success and sustainability of the event!