Festival's nod to rural sector

Lane Buck & Higgins and festival organisers have teamed up for the new initiative, Festival Scarecrow Workshops.

Festival organisers had a vision of Busselton and its surroundings being inundated by the raggedly dressed mannequins, with the intent to represent the rural sector of the community, welcome people to the town, generate activity around the CBD and create a fun vibe.

Under the guidance of creator Shelley Acham from Lane Buck & Higgins and Festival of Busselton event coordinator Jill Barton, the scarecrow idea also came from the traditional burning of the Festival Spirit.

Busselton Men’s Shed will provide the building bases and workshops will be held throughout January’s festival.

Children will be invited to participate and bring along clothes, wigs and accessories and to create their own scarecrow.

Festival organisers hope workshop participants will bring their scarecrows to the Float Parade on January 12 and take part in the parade.

Ms Acham said Lane Buck & Higgins jumped at the opportunity to be involved in the new festival event.

“Our law firm, having been established for over 100 years, have always been an avid and strong supporter for the rural and farming communities in the South West,” she said.

“We always want to promote Busselton and its wonderful community spirit and what better way than scarecrows – reflecting the spirit of rural Australia.”

Festival of Busselton event coordinator Jill Barton said she hoped Busselton businesses would display scarecrows throughout the month of January.

Scarecrow frames will be provided free to any businesses wanting to get in the spirit.

To organise a scarecrow frame, contact festivalofbusselton@gmail.com.

For Create A Scarecrow Workshops details, keep an eye on festivalofbusselton.com.au for updates.

The Festival of Busselton will run from January 1 to 31.