Beloved Garstang Scarecrow Festival 2026 returns after cancellation - with a new format
One of Lancashire’s most popular annual events will return this summer, despite being cancelled earlier this year.
The Garstang Scarecrow Festival began in 2019 and sees thousands of people descend on the market town to enjoy the many creative displays that pop up in people’s gardens and at businesses and public spaces.
Many families also look forward to the family funfair and the event has grown into a cherished community celebration.
The festival was originally scheduled to return this July, with the theme of ‘sport’. However, organisers announced earlier this year that the event would no longer go ahead.
Announcing the initial cancellation on Facebook on January 5, they said: “Unfortunately, we have had to make the very difficult decision to cancel the 2026 Garstang Scarecrow Festival.
“We know this will be a big disappointment to many, and for that we sincerely apologise.”
Three weeks later, organisers took to social media once again to confirm that the much-loved trail would be returning, running alongside Garstang Summer Festival at Garstang Sports Club.
Entries have now opened, and the theme will remain the same as initially planned, but organisers said they will be “doing slightly things differently this year”. Instead of placing scarecrows around the village themselves, the team are leaving it up to members of the public.
They explained: “Simply create your scarecrow, display it at your chosen location, and let us know where it will be exhibited. We will then create and publish the official Scarecrow Trail map based on your entries.”
Entries officially opened on Monday (February 24), with prizes up for grabs in categories such as Best Street, Best Mechanical Entry and Best Topical Entry. It is free to enter here.
The Scarecrow Festival organisers added: “Get creative, get competitive, and bring your sporting scarecrows to life — we can’t wait to see your fantastic entries!”
The Scarecrow Trail will run from Friday, June 26, continuing over the weekend alongside the popular Garstang Summer Festival. The ‘grand finale’ will take place on Sunday, June 28, at the Garstang Sports Club featuring live entertainment, a funfair and the winners’ presentation.