With an eye toward exploring both the symbols of America and the many fascets the rich variety of facets that go into making the whole, Scarecrow Contest event organizer Dr Robert Borer has revealed the 2021 theme. [1]
“The tag line,” he said during a one-on-one with Saline Journal, “is ‘Red, White, and Blue: Let your patriotism shine through.
I think the most expected result might be a representation by an individual of what they are most proud of by being American.
This might be an object, such as the Liberty Bell, apple pie, Chevrolet, or The Constitution. Or an activity, such as baseball. I think that a historical event, such as Washington crossing the Delaware, the first flight by the Wright brothers, or man on the moon, would be obvious choices.
Other expected entries might include the miracle on ice, with Team USA beating the USSR in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Betsy Ross sewing the American flag, or the inspiration of John Muir and creation of the US National Park System.
But we want this to be ultimately a broad enough theme to allow creativity in expressing what specifically about the USA conjures up pride and patriotism. It is my belief that there is a lot more love for our country than social media tries to portray. And it requires venues such as this to show how much patriotism actually exists.
I would like this to be a light shining brightly for all to see the American spirit, and not just hide it under a bushel.
Personally, what delights me the most are the unanticipated, exceptional entries that are the very result of a free, unrestrained, unoppressed population — free to express themselves, free to achieve anything they put their minds to.
Freedom from tyranny that has achieved more in two hundred years than the past five thousand years of civilization was able to achieve. All of this was made possible by what I view as the single greatest miracle on earth, the creation of The Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
Following is a broad timeline for The Tenth Annual Saline Scarecrow Contest, from Borer Family Chiropractic website.
- September 18 through October 18, Scarecrows will be accepted at Borer Family Chiropractic
- October 1: First scarecrow entries will be placed for display in downtown Saline [2,3]
- October 14: Voting begins for favorites (public is invited and encouraged to participate)
- October 25: Voting ends at midnight
- October 26: Winners announced at noon, ribbons placed on scarecrows
- October 30: Scarecrows may begin to be removed
- October 31: All scarecrows must be removed (either by creators or event staff)
With characteristic enthusiasm, Dr Borer upped the ante with a call to action. “Come on Saline! Let’s see that patriotism deep down that you want to show the rest of the community. Let your patriotism shine through!
In fact, I’m going to add a new special aspect to every entry. I’m going to add an ‘Inspirational Quote’ that entrants can use to most appropriately characterize their scarecrow creations.
So, not only will each entry this year have a ‘name.’ Now each will have an ‘inspirational quote.’
I can’t wait to see what the Saline community comes up with!
References
- “Tenth Annual Saline Scarecrow Contest” Borer Family Chiropractic.
- “Scarecrow Finder” Saline Journal.
- “Photograph Saline Scarecrow Contest Entries Downtown at Night (If You Date)” Dell Deaton (September 19, 2016) Saline Journal.
