A field of scarecrows, a month of fall fun - near Vacaville, California - Sunset's Travel Guide

Sunset, Oct, 1991

Sunday, September 29, several hundred engagingly original scarecrows go on active duty, guarding a 6-acre cornfield near the Nut Tree Restaurant's rural airport, where they'll receive weekend visitors through October.

Artists and craftspeople as well as community and youth groups created them for part of an annual juried competition that may be unique in the annals of American folk art. The scarecrows preside over free pumpkin-patch activities, held opening day and October weekends, ranging from pie-eating and apple-bobbing contests to puppet shows, live music (including washboard), and pumpkin-carving demonstrations.

Offered for sale are fall produce (many pumpkins, gourds, and "amazing squash"), plus grilled meats and vegetables, homemade burritos, coolers, pumpkin ice cream; a good snack lunch runs about $5.

Hours are 10 to 6 weekends. Admission is $5 adults, $3 ages 11 to 18 and 55 and over. Exit I-80 on Monte Vista Avenue in Vacaville.