Fifteen school groups from the Meridian School District, including the Rocky Mountain High School wrestling team, will be vying to win $1,000 for the best scarecrow at two free Harvest Festivals sponsored by Coleman Homes at its new BridgeTower and Cabella Creek communities in Meridian.

The Harvest Festival at BridgeTower is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this coming Saturday, Oct. 17. The community is located at Ten Mile and McMillan in Meridian. Kids are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes for free photographs and enjoy hot cider and caramel-covered apples. Both kids and adults can vote.

“We encourage families to bring their kids to the Harvest Festivals and vote for their favorite scarecrow,” said Susan Stanley, Director of Sales and Marketing for Coleman Homes in Eagle. “The $1,000 grand prize is definitely bringing in some strong entries. We’ll have free food, lots of kids activities and plenty of fun for everyone.”

Families also can vote on the scarecrows at a second Coleman Homes Harvest Festival to be held at the new Cabella Creek community in Meridian, located on Victory just west of Locust Grove, on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The scarecrow that fetches the most votes from the two events will be crowned the winner from the Meridian schools after Halloween.

Students from the Middleton School District will compete for a second $1,000 grand prize when their contest entries are displayed at the West Highlands Harvest Festival on Halloween day, Saturday, Oct. 31. Middleton classes can still sign up for that contest until the end of this week.

Coleman Homes will tally the votes after Halloween and notify the winners. It’s also possible to vote for the scarecrows on display at BridgeTower or Cabella Creek between the festival dates and Oct. 31. People can visit the communities during business hours (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) to cast your vote.