HUNTSVILLE – Sometimes funny, sometimes scary and always exciting, an eclectic cast again is occupying the Scarecrow Trail at Huntsville Botanical Garden through the end of October.

“You can navigate through the sorghum maze, enjoy weekend hayrides, explore our Gilded Gourds and be amazed by unique scarecrows and hay bale art sculptures placed throughout the garden,” Carol Casey said. Casey is Vice President of Communications and Programming.

Families, local businesses, schools, non-profit groups and other organizations constructed all of the scarecrows on exhibit. “This year, there is no theme, leaving the creativity to run wild,” Casey said. “During September, you can help us choose the top three scarecrows.”

The first-place winners will receive $250, followed by second place, $100, and third place, $50. For the hay bales on exhibit, place winners will earn $100 for first through third place.

The popular “Hoot in the Night” show by Alabama 4-H Center’s Coosa River Science School will visit on Sept. 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. “For a small additional fee, you can see these beautiful creatures and learn about their history and why they are beneficial to our ecosystem. Be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair,” Casey said.

To celebrate Fall Break, schools will dismiss the week of Oct. 3 or Oct. 9, and Huntsville Botanical Garden has plans to keep families entertained. Kids will enjoy special fall activities every day. Some events will require a small fee.

“Bootanica” is back on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon. The day is full of festive Halloween crafts, games, face painting and hayrides. To buy tickets, visit hsvbg.org.

Huntsville Botanical Garden is open year-round and features the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house, a picture-perfect aquatic garden, spectacular nature trails, numerous specialty gardens — including an interactive children — garden – and various plant collections.

This beautiful 112-acre garden is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Fewer than 50 employees and more than 2,000 active volunteers operate the garden. The garden hosts five distinct festivals each year: Beaks and Barks, Huntsville Blooms, Purdy Butterfly House, Fall Scarecrow Trail and Holiday Galaxy of Lights.

“You’ll soon see why we say, ‘There’s always something growing on at Huntsville Botanical Garden,'” Casey said.

Huntsville Botanical Garden has scheduled other festivities to celebrate the fall season. For Fall Break details and other information, visit hsvbg.org.