The autumn air bites a little sharper in downtown Charlottetown these days, but it’s not the only thing giving residents a friendly fright. Walking through Victoria Row last Thursday, I watched as a young family stopped in their tracks, the children pointing and laughing at a straw-stuffed figure dressed in a vintage hockey jersey perched casually on a bench.
“That one looks like Uncle Dave!” the little boy exclaimed, while his sister cautiously approached to touch the scarecrow’s plaid-covered arm.
This scene has been playing out across Prince Edward Island’s capital as more than 800 handcrafted scarecrows have taken up residence throughout the city for the annual Charlottetown Scarecrow Festival, transforming ordinary streets into whimsical autumn galleries.
Now in its fifth year, the festival has grown from a modest community initiative into one of the Island’s most anticipated fall events. What began as a pandemic-era attempt to boost foot traffic for struggling downtown businesses has evolved into a celebration that draws visitors from across the Maritimes.
“We had no idea it would capture people’s imaginations this way,” says Emma MacPherson, executive director of Downtown Charlottetown Inc., the organization behind the festival. “Last year we had about 650 scarecrows. This year we’ve topped 800, with contributions from schools, businesses, community groups, and individual artists.”
The festival’s growth reflects a deeper desire for community connection after years of pandemic isolation. As I wandered through the historic district, I noticed groups of visitors taking selfies with particularly elaborate displays – a band of scarecrow musicians outside The Mack, a rowing team of straw figures near the waterfront, and a reproduction of Anne of Green Gables complete with red yarn braids and a slate board.
Local businesses have embraced the festival as more than just a tourist draw. At Receiver Coffee on Victoria Row, manager Sarah Coady tells me they’ve seen a 30 percent increase in foot traffic during festival weekends compared to previous years.
“People come in for a warm drink after scarecrow spotting,” Coady says, gesturing to their own contribution outside – a barista scarecrow complete with apron and coffee mug. “It’s become this unexpected economic boost during what used to be our shoulder season.”
The economic impact is significant. According to data from the Tourism PEI Department, October visitor numbers have increased by 22 percent since the festival’s inception in 2020, with accommodation bookings extending later into the fall season. For an island economy heavily dependent on seasonal tourism, this extension of the visitor season represents valuable additional revenue for local businesses.
But beyond economics, the festival has sparked something more meaningful – a creative outlet for residents and a source of community pride. At Prince Street Elementary School, an entire class of fourth-graders worked together to create a “garden” of scarecrows representing different cultures and traditions.
“The children researched clothing and customs from their own heritage or countries they were interested in,” explains teacher Marilyn Johansson. “We have scarecrows wearing traditional clothing from Syria, China, Scotland, and Mi’kmaq regalia. It became this beautiful lesson about diversity.”
The festival has also embraced sustainability, with organizers providing workshops on using reclaimed and natural materials. Many scarecrows feature clothing from local thrift stores, stuffing made from yard waste, and decorations from recycled items.
“We’re trying to be mindful of waste,” says festival coordinator Tyler Harris. “After the festival, participants can reclaim their scarecrows, but for those left behind, we have a composting plan for the natural materials and donate any reusable clothing items.”
Walking through the festival route, which spans approximately 4 kilometers through downtown Charlottetown, the creativity on display is remarkable. There are traditional farmer scarecrows, but also more elaborate creations: historical figures, pop culture characters, and abstract artistic interpretations.
Outside the Confederation Centre of the Arts stands one of the most photographed displays – a recreation of the famous Father of Confederation painting, with straw figures arranged in the same poses as the historical delegates who gathered in Charlottetown in 1864 to discuss Canadian unity.
“That one took us three weeks to build,” admits Luke MacKenzie, one of the Centre’s technical staff members. “We studied the painting and tried to get the positioning just right. The hardest part was finding enough period-appropriate clothing.”
As night falls, some areas of the festival take on a more atmospheric tone, with subtle lighting illuminating select displays. Near the harbour, a collection of maritime-themed scarecrows seem to glow against the darkening sky, their straw faces catching the light from nearby streetlamps.
The festival runs until the end of October, culminating in a harvest celebration where awards will be presented for categories including Most Creative, Best Business Display, and Children’s Choice. But even without formal recognition, participants seem motivated by the simple joy of contributing to this communal art project.
For visitors planning to experience the Charlottetown Scarecrow Festival, organizers recommend downloading the festival map from the Downtown Charlottetown website or picking up a printed copy at the visitor information centre. Most displays are concentrated in the downtown core, making it accessible for walking tours.
As I left the waterfront that evening, I passed an elderly man adjusting the hat on a scarecrow dressed as a fisherman. “I worked the boats for forty years,” he told me when he noticed my interest. “Thought I’d make him look like we did back then.” He stepped back to assess his work, nodded with satisfaction, and continued on his way – another story added to Charlottetown’s autumn tradition.
