Council approves 20th Stevensville Scarecrow Festival and permanent sculpture in park

The Stevensville Town Council approved a special-event permit for the 20th annual Stevensville Scarecrow Festival and accepted a park board recommendation to place a donor-funded permanent scarecrow sculpture in Creamery (Greenway) Park.

Council member Barker moved to approve the special-event permit; the council discussed event logistics and closures. Organizers said scarecrows will be displayed on Main Street, with East Third Street closed for one block on either side for Friday and Saturday; Main Street will remain open with one side reserved for food trucks and the other for activities such as a children's maze and a DJ. The festival organizers told the council the Farmer's Market schedule overlaps the final Saturday and that festival activities are planned to avoid conflict.

Why it matters: The festival is a recurring downtown event that draws residents and visitors, affecting traffic, parking and downtown businesses.

Permanent sculpture: The scarecrow committee asked permission to install a permanent, donor-funded sculpture designed by Laura Jean Newby (installed by Laura Jean Welding). Presenters said the piece would sit on a 3-by-3-foot concrete pad, stand about 6 feet tall, include fused glass elements and require no town funds or maintenance. Renee Endicott, representing the park board, said the park board had unanimously approved the design and location. The council voted to approve placement of the sculpture; staff said the park board had already reviewed and approved the proposal.

Actions: The council approved the special-event permit (vote recorded as 4-0) and approved the permanent sculpture placement at Creamery Park after the park board's recommendation. Organizers said all installation and maintenance funding would be provided by the scarecrow committee and no town money was requested.