Scarecrow contest to lead fall Railsplitter Festival           

[JULY 27, 2005]  It's the "CAT's Meow," as Contests, Advertising and Tours combined will set the tone for the popular Railsplitter Festival. The fall celebration comes to the Logan County Fairgrounds each year in mid-September. Local businesses will host scarecrows in a window contest sponsored by Main Street Lincoln and the Railsplitter Festival.

Contests include one for businesses and one for children. Advertising -- displaying scarecrows, runs Sept. 1-19. And the tours consist of fliers with maps of scarecrow locations.

Whether creating or viewing them, "The scarecrows will be fun for all," Main Street Lincoln director Wanda Lee Rohlfs says.

Contest guidelines:

• Create a 3- to 5-foot scarecrow.
• Register scarecrow at Main Street Lincoln.
• Display scarecrow at a business (we can help) Sept. 1-19.

Judging scarecrows will take place Sept. 1-15 and selection will done by Sept. 16. In addition, a People's Choice will be voted on during the festival on Sept. 17.

This activity provides all businesses an opportunity to join in the fall fun.

Categories for businesses: funniest, scariest, most unusual, best tie-in with the business name or product.

Winners will receive a ribbon: first, second and third in each category. People's Choice award will receive a traveling trophy.

A flier is being made available with specific guidelines and may also be picked up at the Main Street Lincoln's office, 303 S. Kickapoo St.

Call [phone] for more information.

[Main Street Lincoln and LDN]