BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – It’s time to brainstorm those scary, silly, freaky, and frightening ideas for Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s 13th Annual Scarecrows on Parade! The Zoo invites schools, art classes, scouts, and individual classrooms to create their own one-of-a-kind scarecrow design for this year’s festivities. The Zoo provides the materials needed to build a scarecrow, and participants supply the design elements and creativity.
Scarecrows are showcased on Zoo grounds from October 15 to early November. All participating classrooms will receive one complimentary children’s admission for each student to the Zoo to view their creations on display (valid through December 1, 2021 and cannot be combined with other offers.)
ONE Best in Show Winner will receive a virtual classroom visit from the Zoo and be featured on the Zoo’s website and Facebook page!
“It’s amazing how creative and elaborate these creations get,” said Gregg Dancho, zoo director. “Every year we’re amazed at the way the children embrace the fun of creating their scarecrow. It’s a traditional fall activity that never gets old!”
There is no cost to enter the competition, but the Zoo is seeking corporate sponsors for this fun filled event! A Classroom Sponsorship is $250, which will provide materials necessary for a classroom or local area program to design and enter a scarecrow. Additional sponsorship levels are available. All sponsors receive recognition on our website and e-newsletter, signage at your scarecrow, and two individual admission passes to the Zoo. To become a sponsor, contact Jessica Taylor at jtaylor@beardsleyzoo.org. More information is available at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/scarecrow-competition.html.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $17.00, children (ages 3 -11) is $14.00, senior admission (62 and older) is just $14.00, and children under 3 years old are free. Zoo members also are admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.
About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 99th year, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tiger and leopards, maned wolves, and Mexican gray wolves and red wolves. Other highlights include our Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization approaching its 100th year at a time when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and eco-systems is more important than ever.
Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. In accordance with the state of Connecticut COVID-19 guidelines: we strongly recommend that guests continue to wear masks while visiting the Zoo, but when guests are outside and are able to maintain social distance, masks may be removed. In any indoor area, or when social distancing cannot be maintained, masks are required. Everyone over the age of two, with the exception of those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them, should have a mask available.