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Good Question: What's the history of the scarecrow?

The scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz may be the most iconic scarecrow we know.

This time of year there are a few things that are synonymous with fall, pumpkins, apples, the changing of the leaves and the scarecrow.

Good Question: What's the history of the scarecrow?

Its not the typical place you would find a scarecrow, Lexington Green.

"You think ok, its just a scarecrow, a stick you know to scare away the crows," said Gretchen Tussey, with Scarecrow Fest 2010.

It’s a tradition at Lexington Green for them to show up every year.

Scarecrow Fest has been around for nearly 20 years.

"Its interesting to see the art pieces that have come out, but some of the pieces we've gotten are so creative," said Tussey.

Its public art using a centuries old idea, scarecrows date back some three thousand years.

The Egyptians first used scarecrows made of a wooden frame and net.

They were used along the Nile to scare away quail to protect wheat fields.

In both medieval and colonial times people actually stood guard.

Sometimes young boys or men would would roam the fields scaring off crows.

In the 1800s scarecrows that resembled humans were used by German immigrants.

A broom or mop made the head and the body was stuffed with straw.

It seems where there are crops and birds. scarecrows will be needed.

Here at Lexington Green, there's no bird scaring only a friendly competition.

"Each year they kind of step it up, it gets better, its a competition among the community," said Tussey.

Lexington Green will hold a Trick or Treat on Saturday October 30th from noon to four.

The winners from this year's Scarecrow Fest will be announced.

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