Gorgeous, silly, serious, friendly, or maybe a little frightful – you can now see our 2026 Scarecrows on display in Ortenstone Gardens!
Thanks to our 2026 scarecrow artists for bringing even more creativity, humor, and a touch of fall magic to the Gardens!
• Sisters by Stephanie Baker and Nikki Baker: A nostalgic tribute to childhood afternoons spent together on a backyard swing set. Made entirely from natural materials, the sisters gently sway in the breeze.
• Zappy the Squirrel by DL Public Utilities: Zappy and his squirrel friends are the number one cause of power outages – and they certainly keep utility crews busy! Watch for Zappy to light up after dark.
• Woodland Witch by Kami Olsen and Beth Schaleben: This rustic, whimsical scarecrow combines a pumpkin-headed witch with vintage botanical style. Twigs, burlap, dried flowers, and pumpkins give her an earthy woodland appearance.
• Nordic Nature Guardian by The Norsewood Sisters: Stacy Heinlein and Danika Leitheiser: Inspired by Nordic heritage and mythology, this guardian is crafted from antlers, cedar, moss, rocks and other natural elements. Visitors are invited to leave a nature offering along the bottom of his cloak.
• Jack of All Gourds by Nick Piche: A pumpkin farmer discovers that his crop has been tainted by Jack Skellington! This playful scarecrow features assorted pumpkins and secondhand materials sourced from the Boys & Girls Club Thrift Store in Detroit Lakes.
*** Vote for your favorite scarecrow while you are there! The winner receives $150 in Detroit Lakes Chamber Bucks + “favorite scarecrow” bragging rights!
Stroll through the garden, snap some photos, and enjoy a little autumn whimsy! Scarecrows will be on display through November 29, 2026.
