 |
| Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP) |
Teamwork. Creativity. And a whole lot of straw. That's what went into this year's Scarecrows on the Avenue Contest, on display now through October 26 on Central Avenue.
What started as a small collective of three businesses decorating the fence, has become an annual tradition, with businesses and organizations building scarecrows to represent their company and decorate the district. The public is able to get in on the fun, too, by voting for their favorite online. The winner takes home a cash prize of $300.
But contestants say the contest represents a lot more than a cash prize.
Businesses love the opportunity to help decorate the Avenue and promote their business. “The contest allows us to be part of the community, and have some fun as well,” says Debbie Hall, owner of Danker Florist on Central Avenue.
Not-for-profit organizations have embraced the contest, too. It provides a vehicle for getting their messages out to the public, and also a fun team-building exercise.
 |
| Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (HATAS) |
Maria Grillo, Outreach Coordinator for Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (HATAS) says, “The contest is important to us because it helps raise awareness of our agency and what we do; we strive to end homelessness in the Capital Region. It also brings our staff together to develop and create a fun, fall-inspired project! We also like to be involved in the Central Avenue community and love to support it however we can.”
“Building a scarecrow is fun. There is NO better way to merge a staff team building exercise with raising community awareness of the programs and services we offer,” says Blake Kush, Program Services Manager at Albany Community Action Partnership.
Ruth LaCross, office manager for Twin Rivers Council-Boy Scouts of America says, “We are a non-profit with a large service area in the Capital District. This contest provides us with two very valuable opportunities. First, our Support Staff enter and work on our entry together providing a team building opportunity. Second, this is the height of our membership drive,” says LaCross. “With the exposure provided by the Central Avenue location, we have the chance to share our message with hundreds of people every day.”
The contest also offers a creative outlet for the community, giving them a chance to flex their artistic muscle.
“The Scarecrow Contest represents an opportunity for youth and staff members at St. Anne Institute to work together to use their creativity and skills to create something special,” says Dan Pickel, Program Coordinator for St. Anne Institute.
“As an independent artist trying to pave their way through their passions, contests like this make that able to happen. It's not always easy to live off what you love,” says Tabitha Heisch, artist in residence at the Albany Barn.
 |
| Lisha Kill Middle School. |
Budding artists at local Lisha Kill Middle School got into the contest, too, creating a pair of cute scarecrow students for the contest. “Lisha Kill Middle School approached the Scarecrows on the Avenue contest as a means of allowing our student community to work together to create a scarecrow(s) that we can display in our public community. “Community” is a pillar of the district’s ICare program,” says Christina Norris, Art teacher at Lisha Kill Middle School.
“Scarecrows on the Avenue provides a fun, crafty way for us to reach out and invite the community to discover dance with ArtPartners/Tsehaya & Company!” says Tsehaya Smith, Director and Choreographer for ArtPartners/Tsehaya & Company.
This year, the Central Avenue BID is proud to donate proceeds from the contest to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.
 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. |
“For 33 years, the doors to Albany’s Ronald McDonald House have been kept open thanks in large part, to our neighbors here in Albany, who give from their hearts to support the families we serve,” says Jeff Yule, Executive Director for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. “Central Ave is truly central to this wonderful City. The businesses that call Central Ave their home not only employ thousands of wonderful folks, they pay taxes, reinvest into their businesses and bring countless visitors to the area, they do all of this as they selflessly support countless local causes, including ours. We are humbled to be part of the Scarecrows on the Avenue contest and salute the BID for their incredible work and thoughtfulness throughout the year.”
Scarecrows on the Avenue is October 9-26, 2015, with scarecrows on display at 900 and 911 Central Avenue. Please stop by to check out these fun fellows, or go online at www.scarecrowsontheavenue.com. And don't forget to vote for your favorite!
