Methven Scarecrow Trail
Saturday April 12 – Sunday April 27, 2025
The Methven Scarecrow Trail is a hugely popular and fun family event run in the April school holidays. It is suitable for all ages and this year all generations will come into their own!
Every year, members of the Methven community build scarecrows to a particular theme and these scarecrows, usually around 30+ in number, are scattered around the town for families to find and try to identify the name of the character represented by the different characters. Families or small groups purchase a Trail Map/Entry form from the iHub Information Centre and there are sponsored prizes for the most correct entries and for the most popular scarecrows.
The trail is designed to be an activity that can be done easily by walking the route, with a well timed stop for lunch, within a day, but some groups prefer to spread it over several days if they can. We love seeing groups of children of all ages, often with parents and/or grandparents for added input, out walking with their maps trying to guess the correct identities of the scarecrows.
The scarecrows are all located within the town boundaries for safe walking but some young children find the distances a bit long unless they use bikes or scooters. Some groups like to walk the route in the central village and then use the car to find the more remote scarecrows if the small children (or adults) are tired.
Our makers range from the talented and artistic to the enthusiastic and willing and include business owners, families and school and preschool children.
While in Methven there are many other great activities – check out the Methven Things to Do page on the Methven NZ website for some inspiration, the great range of cafes and restaurants to keep you going, or why not try out the popular Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa and treat yourself to some well deserved relaxation after all that walking around the area!
2024 Methven Scarecrow Trail Images & Video
How many scarecrow characters did you get right? Check your guesses against the correct answers below.
Marking the entry forms can be an interesting exercise. We always allow for creative spelling, as long as it is clear you have identified the correct character. Some of you identified the character and named the movie, just to be sure, but it was the character we needed in order to be correct.
See how many you got correct and keep an eye out for the selected winning entry coming shortly.
#1 Babe
#2 Kevin
#3 Tiny Diamond
#4 Dory
#5 Leonardo
#6 Lola
#7 Snoopy
#8 Bambi
#9 Bridget
#10 Gargamel
#11 Wal
#12 Rapunzel
#13 Casper
#14 Wall-E
#15 Boo
#16 Olaf
#17 Nemo
#18 Mike
#19 Spongebob
#20 Randell
#21 Peach
#22 Lumiere
#23 Heimlich
#24 Pua
#25 Scrat
#26 Hector Rivera
#27 Mr McGregor
#28 Po
#29 Gru
#30 Stickman
#31 Luke
#32 Forky
#33 Alfredo Linguine
#34 Joy
#35 Gidget
2024 WINNERS
It was no surprise that Kevin the Minion was the overwhelming favourite of participants and was awarded first prize as the Most Popular Scarecrow. The creator Todd Holmes was also the winner last year and when trying to outdo his scarecrow from last year he decided that going bigger – and bigger – was better.
WINNER – Kevin the Minion made by Todd at Jackson Holmes Congratulations!
Prizewinners
1 – #2 Kevin the Minion by Jackson Holmes
2 – #14 – Wall-E by Our Lady of the Snows school
3 – #7 – Snoopy by Ruth Petrie
Top Ten Awards
Rapunzel by Methven Playcentre
Tiny Diamond by Kirsty Saxon
Gidget by Vetlife
Spongebob by Methven Library
Po by Garage Gym (Hannah Kidd)
Stickman by Brown Pub
Carl by Primo
Hector by Ashburton Intermediate
Judges Special Award:
Rapunzel by Methven Playcentre
Watch this great short video by Markham Media showcasing the beautiful town of Methven and some serious Scarecrow hunting by a group of locals. This could be you in 2024!
Like and follow our Facebook page to stay up to date with all the latest information for the 2023 Trail.