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Pectacular scarecrows, music, fashion and bountiful dinner await guests at the “Scarecrow Hoedown” as it previews the 2003 Cincinnati Flower & Farm Fest at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Coney Island’s Moonlite Pavilion.
The evening – co-chaired by Amy Holter, Toni Williams and Meg Stevenson – kicks off the fourth annual fest, whose theme is “Scarecrows Come to Life” the weekends of Oct. 4-5 and Oct. 11-12 at historic Coney. Hoedown guests get first glimpse at the thousands of scarecrows in myriad vignettes throughout the show, while enjoying music by the Modulators, dinner from Wild Oats Natural Marketplace and fashions from Donna Salyers’ Fabulous Furs. Cost: $40. Call 513-872-5194.
The Flower & Farm Fest, presented by Cinergy Foundation and produced by the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, surrounds visitors with all the comforting flavors, sights and aromas of the autumn season, including an enchanting scarecrow world with whimsical vignettes like “Bride & Groom: A Harvest Wedding” and “Scarecrow Culinary Institute.”
Among the 2003 Flower & Farm Fest’s other highlights are:
• The “Blessing of the Animals,” from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. Performed by local clergy, the blessing honors the patron saint of animals, Francis of Assisi.
• Dozens of kids’ activities, such as hayrides, a Halloween costume contest, the Wizard’s World, the hands-on “Adventures in Agriculture” exhibit, live farmyard animals, story-telling and a Corn Cob Climbing Wall.
• Exhibits that include an amateur flower show, tailgate party, quilt display, a needle art in horticulture display and pet parade.
• Markets featuring home decorations, a fall harvest of gourds, pumpkins, spices and more, as well as plants for fall planting.
• Demonstrations featuring an outdoor kitchen garden setting and “Ask the Experts” lectures.
For more information about tickets, times and parking, visit www.cincyflowershow.com or call 513-872-5194.