Scarecrows in the Garden 2021

This is the final week to see this year's Scarecrows in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden! Remember that they're doing timed-entry tickets. They will take walk-ups, but this close to Halloween I recommend buying your scheduled tickets ahead of arrival to ensure you get to see this wonderful exhibition. This last day to see them is Sunday, October 31.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"The Fay Myceliana" by Whitney Brown & Janice Upson

There are some magnificent scarecrows this year, as always, but it's wonderful to see an event all these years later still presenting brilliant creativity! 

On this particular visit, I was there only to see the scarecrows and make photos of some of them. I did not know that they had changed the locale of the scarecrows, so I was thinking that there weren't that many this year, having only visited the entry pathway and Children's Garden where they've been displayed for years. 

NOW, the scarecrows are in those locations as well as in the Crepe Myrtle Allèe and all the way to the Skyline Garden! There are LOTS of them! 

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"Hurloween" by Erica Evans Patton

Some are larger-than-life and some and teeny-tiny! 

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"Rosie the Vaccinator" by Assistance League of Atlanta

The Assistance League of Atlanta is back! 

If you've been to Scarecrows in the Garden before, you just might recognize this "face", but as different charcters. She once even wore a blue dress, ruby slippers, and carried around her little dog in a basket. There's some truly delightful creativity at the Assistance League of Atlanta and they have an awesome thrift shop! 

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"Mr. Le-crow" by Buzzell-Holmes Family

Here's your chance to enjoy some awesome Lego creativity without the possibility of stepping on one. Great news, right?!

Speaking of evenings, Fest-of-Ale is also going on through the rest of the month. It's the Garden's annual "beer festival" (try their exclusive "Garden Beer"!), evenings 5pm-8pm. If you go to Fest-of-Ale and want to see all the Scarecrows, go early because the Children's Garden closes at dusk/dark, but if you don't make it early there are still plenty to see on the other paths! 

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"Illumi" by Zoo Atlanta

Illumi is interactive! Take a photo and then take another one with your flash on. This one is in the Crepe Myrtle Allèe.

Illumi is also an advert for Zoo Atlanta's upcoming and brand new IllumiNights at the Zoo, presented by Georgia Power. It's a Chinese Lantern Festival that opens to the general public November 22, 2021 through January 16, 2022. This nighttime event will feature more than 80 animal lanterns, some of them up to 20 feet tall!!!

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"Venus" 

You'll find "Venus" at the entry to the Canopy Walk. I think she's brilliant! You can see some live Venus Fly Traps over in the Skyline Garden. 

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"Dr. Frankenstein" by MSE at GT

While you're there, and also closing this Sunday, October 31, are SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion and SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom, so you have many great reasons to go to the Garden this week!

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"Bee Love" by Alexander, Jacob, Buz and Dianne Smith

Love this one! It's in the Children's Garden near an active, educational beehive. 

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"Don't Make Me Put My Foot Down" by Mountain View High School

When I saw where the grilling flamingo's are is when I realized that the display areas have been expanded. 

At first glance I wondered if they were Australian flamingos—because of the "shrimp on the barbie"—but, alas, there are no flamingos in Australia, not anymore. So, they're just having a great time grilling out! The detail on this display is brilliant...great job Mountain View High School!

Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor

"Tyranno-STRAW-rus-Rex" by The Howell Family

If you're thinking about entering a Scarecrow in next year's event, involve the whole family! "Tyranno-STRAW-rus-Rex" was created by the very clever Howell Family.

Remember to get your tickets online to see Scarecrows in the Garden to ensure you don't show up to a sold-out day or evening, especially if you're wanting to go Halloween weekend!

Scarecrows in the Garden 2019

Scarecrows in the Garden is back and it's as festive as ever! They're on display at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (and Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville) through Sunday, November 3, 2019. And there are LOTS of events going on, too!

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The two ladies in blue dresses seem to share the garden's 30 acres well enough. Actually, "Dorthy" here is having a bit of a makeup crisis, while Alice (of the Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland exhibition) is over in another part of the garden taking a nap.

Oh wait, that's not our Dorothy at all. That's "The Thrift Witch...As Dorothy" by the Assistance League of Atlanta and it's quite remarkable!

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

"Tragedy Ann" has a clever name because all the Atlanta Roller Derby skaters have clever names. A few examples: Rosie Derivator, Madditude Adjustment, and Genie in a Battle. I've met a number of them in recent years, everyone being incredibly passionate about the sport, super smart, wonderfully hospitable, and totally pumped to enjoy their bouts!

If you've not yet been to an Atlanta Roller Derby (formerly Atlanta Rollergirls), I highly recommend treating yourself to some serious excitement! Don't worry if you're not sure how the game works; they have people there just to answer your questions! 

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I think my personal favorite scarecrow is "Nutmare on Peachtree Street" made by The Boo Crew. The monocle-wearing Mr. Peanut is dreaming about a circus elephant, a Nutcracker, and a jar of Planters creamy peanut butter. A smooth move by Mr. Peanut to not wear his spats to bed, but check out those adorable woolen lamb bedroom slippers! 

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

You may have heard the awesome Amp'd Entertainment at a wedding reception, a mitzvah, or a company party, but if not, you totally get to during Fest-of-Ale during Scarecrows in the Garden, Thursday evenings at the Atlanta Botanical Garden! 

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

When you get to Scarecrows in the Garden, I recommend visiting the scarecrows in the two-acre Children's Garden first, and then go back and enjoy the rest of them. Historically, the Children's Garden closes at dusk, well before the garden closes at 9pm during Fest-of-Ale. So don't miss all of those fun, festive scarecrows!

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The must-not-miss event of the season is the Great Pumpkin-Carving Contest taking place at 7pm in the Skyline Garden! It's presented in the fashion of a television competition, and there are lots of other activities going on that night, too. There's a film screening in the Rose Garden, a gaming midway, face painting, a magician, and of course wine and beer, and so much more!

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

All throughout school I was always in some kind of art class and Picasso has been a personal favorite since childhood. "Pablo Picasso-crow" was created by Jamie Gunnin. Of Picasso's many periods, I find myself most fascinated with Cubism.

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

"Girls United" was created by Girl Scout Troop 16580 and what a great job they did! Obviously they're huge fans of Atlanta United, our professional soccer team. I also noticed that their troop crest is the unicorn, so they must be super excited to be here during Imaginary Worlds!

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Positioned in front of Longleaf, which is open during Fest-of-Ale, this alien-looking, but totally fun sculpture was created by Peachtree Petals, perfectly disguised among the towering banana trees. Longleaf does take walk-ins, but during popular events like this, reservations are recommended. 

Scarecrows in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a beautifully colorful place year-roung, but Scarecrows in the Garden take its colorfulness to a whole new spectacular level! Be sure to check out all the events happening during Scarecrows in the Garden.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015

For more than a decade, Atlanta Botanical Garden visitors, Garden members, tourists, families and kids of all ages have enjoyed the fanciful, clever and always entertaining "Scarecrows in the Garden" every October.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

The above sparkle-eyed, height-challenged skeletons by grace the Garden annually, in different costumes and scene. I don't know their makers, Swan Princesses, but I'm a total fan of their Ghoulin Rouge skeletons! I'm also a fan of Moulin Rouge! the movie and am looking very much forward t seeing Atlanta Ballet's Moulin Rouge The Ballet in February!  

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Like millions of others, I've been a fan of the Minion's since the first time I saw Despicable Me. The above photo is a portion of the 1st Place winner at this year's Scarecrows in the Garden, titled "Minion's de los Muertos"! 

After you've enjoyed the this year's top scarecrow, created by Peachtree Petals, put the Atlanta History Center's "Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos" free event on Sunday, November 1.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Cinema is a big influence on this year's scarecrows. The 2nd Place winner is Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy...he's awesome!

If you're a regular at Scarecrows in the Garden, there's a significant change this year. The scarecrows are typically only on the Promenade, the Southern Seasons Garden and the Children's Garden. The Children's Garden is undergoing renovation, so no scarecrows there this year. Instead, they've expanded into the Alston Overlook, the Crepe Myrtle Allee and the Perennial Garden.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Not just because my name begins with a "T" and not just because I'm a dinosaur enthusiast...I love the "Mr. T" scarecrow created by the Driscoll Family! If you've ever watched The A Team, you get the humor and how clever this is.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've loved trains since I was a little kid. One of the first I was on was the American Freedom Train in 1976! I didn't understand what a wonderful experience that was at the time, I just knew that I got to get on a train where I got to see a Moon buggy!

"The Little Engine that BOO!", created by NS Better Together, is truly magnificent, and the Garden placed him near the Model Train display at Alston Overlook.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Model Train display has been transformed into a "ghost town" for Scarecrows in the Garden! It's this kind of attention to detail that makes me a fan of the Atlanta Botanical Garden year after year. 

And have you heard that Chihuly is returning?!

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

The scarecrows are created by businesses, individuals, schools and organizations. My personal favorites are the ones that are clever. The one above, by Braxton Automotive, titled "Carlton", is brilliant, funny and clever! I don't know Braxton or Carlton, but can tell how much fun they had putting this together!

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you'd like to explore the Atlanta Botanical Garden more in depth, may I recommend a guided tour. They're available to Garden visitors Tuesdays-Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

There's one more "Fest-of-Ale" event this month...this coming Thursday night! During Fest-of-Ale events, the Garden is open until 10:00 p.m. The Cafe at Linton's in the Garden is open for dinner and the new Linton's Petit Cafe is also open during Fest-of-Ale. 

Be sure to bring a flashlight to see all the scarecrows if you're visiting after dark!

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

The amount of cleverness at Scarecrows in the Garden seems boundless. The above "We Bare Bears" scarecrow greets visitors for another week--the exhibition and its relative programming conclude on Halloween.

Make your way to the Atlanta Botanical Garden by Saturday to see Scarecrows in the Garden!