Famous faces made of straw as Bovingdon Scarecrow Festival returns
BOVINGDON — Get ready to see some very familiar faces in Bovingdon, though they might look a little more rustic than usual.
The highly anticipated Bovingdon Scarecrow Festival officially kicks off this Saturday, May 30th, turning the village into an open-air gallery of creative, straw-stuffed creations for a spectacular two-week run.
Following the massive success of last year's inaugural event, the Bovingdon Community Events team is bringing the celebration back with an exciting new theme for 2026: Famous and Fictional Characters.
From Saturday morning through to Sunday, June 14th, residents and visitors alike are invited to tour the village to spot the handmade scarecrows proudly displayed outside local homes, schools, and businesses.
How to Join the Trail
To make sure you don't miss a single creation—whether it’s a straw-stuffed superhero, a classic literary figure, or a Hollywood icon—official festival programmes will be available for purchase around the village.
The Trail: Collect a programme to use the map, which details the exact locations of every scarecrow entry across the village.
The Vote: Every programme includes a voting form. Visitors are highly encouraged to explore the full trail and cast their votes for their top three favorite designs.
Bringing the Community Together
The festival was originally launched to promote community spirit, encourage footfall to local shops, and keep the tight-knit "village atmosphere" alive as Bovingdon grows.
Organizers have promised plenty of laughs and incredible craftsmanship, building on last year's popular designs which included straw versions of Elvis, Sir David Attenborough, and Harry Potter.
"It’s all about getting people out, supporting our local businesses, and having some lighthearted fun," says the Bovingdon Community Events team. "The sheer creativity our neighbors show when building these characters is incredible."
The Grand Finale
The two-week festival will culminate in a grand celebration. The public votes will be meticulously counted, and the official winners will be announced—with trophies awarded—at the Bovingdon Primary Academy Summer Fayre on Saturday, June 20th.
Prizes will be up for grabs across multiple categories, including bragging rights for the most creative interpretation of this year's "Famous and Fictional" theme.
Grab your walking shoes, pick up a programme, and head out this Saturday to see who—or what—is waiting around the corner!