Welcome to the 2026 Copford & Easthorpe Scarecrow Festival!
From the 6th August 2026 Copford and Easthorpe will transform into something a little bit magical.
Our streets, gardens and hidden corners will be filled with creative scarecrows, all competing for this year’s crown.
Experience the magic of The Scarecrow Festival, 6th September from 11:30am, Copford Village Hall
Celebrate the spirit of our community at the Copford & Easthorpe Scarecrow Festival Village Fete, where creativity, tradition, and a touch of humour come together. Wander the village trail and discover an array of imaginative scarecrows! On September 6th, enjoy food and drinks from local stalls, and explore handmade crafts and produce from our talented local business at our village fete at Copford Village Hall.
There’s something for everyone: families can bring a picnic and relax in the park, dog lovers can enjoy the classic village dog show, take part in the bake off, try your luck with the raffle, or simply soak up the feel good atmosphere of a community coming together.
All of this builds to the highlight of the festival - the crowning of this year’s scarecrow winners. It’s a full day to celebrate, laugh, and enjoy everything that makes Copford and Easthorpe so special.
What to expect
The Scarecrow Competition
This is what it’s all about, and we’d love everyone to get involved.
Create and display a scarecrow of your own choosing, whether it’s funny, imaginative, traditional or completely unexpected. The more creative, the better.
Scarecrows will be on display from 6th August to 6th September, transforming the village into a trail of creativity for everyone to enjoy. Our guest judges will tour the village ahead of the fete to choose this year’s winners.
Expect plenty of humour, originality, and a few surprises along the way, and don’t be surprised if a little friendly competition creeps in too.
The Village Fete
Join us for a village fete on Sunday 6th September from 11:30am, and the grand finale of the Scarecrow Festival.
There’ll be plenty to see and do, from a dog show to cake competition and a stick man trail in pits wood to family activities and traditional games - or simply bring a picnic and spend time with friends and neighbours.
The day builds to the much anticipated announcement of this year’s scarecrow winners, the perfect way to round off the festival.
The Scarecrow Trail
If you would like to have a chance of winning a three course meal for two at The Alma, follow the Scarecrow Trail!
Pick up a scarecrow location map from either
Love Local or The Alma.
These will be available from 24th August 2026.
Using the scarecrow map, follow the trail and collect all the secret code and hand back to either venue.
The winner will be drawn at random from the completed maps.
Our History
Scarecrows have long been part of our farming heritage, standing watch over fields and quietly protecting crops from hungry birds.
But here in Copford & Easthorpe, they’ve taken on a life of their own. For over 15 years, our Scarecrow Festival has transformed the village into a trail of creativity, character and a touch of mischief. Each year brings a fresh wave of wonderfully imaginative creations - from the traditional to the totally unexpected.
We can’t wait to see what appears across Copford and Easthorpe this year.
the scarecrow competition - How to get involved
Everyone’s welcome - you just need your imagination!
Getting involved couldn’t be easier, and everyone is welcome.
Whether you’re a household, a group of neighbours, a local business or a school, you can create and display a scarecrow of your own choosing. There are no rules on theme or style, so feel free to be as creative, funny or imaginative as you like.
To take part, simply register your scarecrow and pay a £5 entry fee. This helps support the running of the festival and our chosen charities.
Once registered, all you need to do is display your scarecrow from 6th August and be at the Village fete on Sunday 6th September 2026.
There will be a pile of straw available from the beginning of August, location to be confirmed - please help yourself
How to register?
Please pick up your registration form from Love Local and bring along your £5 in actual, real life cash.
We are a small village after all, and not quite ready for contactless just yet.
Village Fete: September 6th 2026, whats on?
Food & Drink
A selection of food vans, you’ll find something for every taste, alongside a well-stocked bar to keep you refreshed. And of course, no village fête would be complete without ice cream - perfect for a summer’s day. .
Scarecrow Trail
Grab your map and set off on the Scarecrow Trail adventure!
Follow the route around the village, spot all the scarecrows, and collect the hidden code as you go.
Once you’ve completed the trail, hand your finished map back at The Alma or Love Local for a chance to win a meal for two at The Alma. All completed entries go into a random draw.
(This is not the map -its just for fun!)
Local Stalls
Stick Man Trail
Take your time exploring our local stalls, filled with handmade crafts, homegrown produce, and unique finds from talented local businesses and residents.
It’s the perfect chance to discover something special, support the community, and enjoy the creativity that makes our village fate so unique.
Stick Man Trail
Become a 2026 Sponsor
Stick Man Trail
Head over to Pits Wood for our Stick Man Trail - a simple, fun adventure for all ages. Hidden throughout the woodland are a series of stick men just waiting to be discovered. As you make your way around the trail, see how many you can spot and identify along the way.
It’s the perfect excuse to explore the woods, keep little ones entertained, and add a bit of challenge to your day.
Become a 2026 Sponsor
Become a 2026 Sponsor
Become a 2026 Sponsor
The Copford & Easthorpe Scarecrow Festival is a much loved local event that brings the whole community together and we’re inviting a small number of local businesses to be part of it.
We’re currently welcoming 4–5 sponsors to support this year’s festival and help make it another memorable success.
In return, you’ll benefit from meaningful local visibility and the opportunity to align your business with a positive, well attended community event.
Dog Show
Become a 2026 Sponsor
Become a 2026 Sponsor
Don’t miss the Village Dog Show! From best behaved to waggiest tail, it’s all about celebrating our four-legged friends in a fun, relaxed way.
Whether you’re entering or just watching, it’s guaranteed to raise a smile.