If you see an alarming number of scarecrows around Gatlinburg, Tennessee, they’re not there to scare away the birds. The city has successfully attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Display of Scarecrows in the world.
Officials documented 4,325 scarecrows displayed throughout the downtown area of the city. The standing record is 3,812 scarecrows held by the English town of Burton-Upon-Trent. Gatlinburg exceeded that record by 513 scarecrows. The record attempt was recorded on video and will have to be verified by Guinness World Records, which could take several weeks.
“Scarecrows are the obvious addition to Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival decorations displayed throughout the City,” says Mark Adams, CEO/President of Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Being home to a Guinness World Records attraction makes Gatlinburg the perfect location to hold the record for most scarecrows. We are hopeful that we met all the criteria necessary to attain the record. ”
In a show of support, Gatlinburg businesses and community members throughout town and the Great Smoky arts and crafts community have created beautiful harvest displays for a new Scarecrow Trail. The Scarecrow Trail is one of Gatlinburg’s featured fall experiences that enhances the city’s well established Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. Thousands of handcrafted scarecrows and harvest vignettes can now be found around the area.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, featuring special events, craft shows and new life-sized scarecrows, runs through November 21. Other seasonal events include Anakeesta’s all-new Legend of Hallow Mountain, Oktoberfest, Ripley’s Fright Nights, Appalachian GhostWalks, a Craftsmen’s Fair and Bush’s Chili Beans Cookoff,
Gatlinburg is also one of the best places to see fall foliage. According to the Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Prediction map, leaves are patchy right now, but color is expected to increase and peak in November.
Photos courtesy of Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
