The 1st “SENSATIONAL SCARECROW CONTEST” event was held in October 1981. The then Nut Tree in Vacaville, California had a huge fall festival that included a Scarecrow Contest. A third grade teacher by the name of Rob Williams came up with the idea of Jessie Beck having a small Scarecrow Contest of our own and to enter the two scarecrow winners at The Nut Tree Festival. The 1st contest was held on the kindergarten playground. In those days the playground was a big mound of dirt with a climbing apparatus, swings and a large wooden stage. The event consisted of about fifteen scarecrow entries, soft drinks, slices of pumpkin pie, fresh pumpkins for sale, and games in the classrooms of A and B wings. The winners were flown to the Nut Tree by parent John Metzker. We entered the Nut Tree Festival over the next several years, transporting the scarecrows back and forth by car. Several of our scarecrow winners even won cash prizes at the Nut Tree.
Over the next few years, The Scarecrow Contest became bigger and bigger. Rhonda Shoolroy’s wonderful pumpkin- shaped cookies were added. Rhonda would bake hundreds of cookies herself and then Moms would gather at Rhonda’s home to decorate the cookies. After decorating, they were loaded in cars and brought to school.
Over the years, as new things were added to the event, the kindergarten playground became too small, so it was moved to its present location. We are pleased the “The Sensational Scarecrow Contest” has become a fun event for the whole community and hope it will continue for years to come. It would not have been as successful over these past 42 years had it not been for all the hard working volunteers, past and present, as well as enthusiastic staff and students participating. Not much has changed in the past years (Covid being the exception), although we have added or deleted games. It still continues to be a very fun and successful event for the community. Many past students who are now in college and other alumni of all ages come by to enjoy the event and say “hi.”
Lanny Hershenow planned the event for years (former Beck librarian and then full-time volunteer until she passed away a few years ago). Her son also went to Jessie Beck (as well as her granddaughter), and BBQ'd at the festival for 25 years. JP Pinocchio donated his wonderful grill and his BBQing skills for over 10 years. His three children went to Jessie Beck.
Over the next few years, The Scarecrow Contest became bigger and bigger. Rhonda Shoolroy’s wonderful pumpkin- shaped cookies were added. Rhonda would bake hundreds of cookies herself and then Moms would gather at Rhonda’s home to decorate the cookies. After decorating, they were loaded in cars and brought to school.
Over the years, as new things were added to the event, the kindergarten playground became too small, so it was moved to its present location. We are pleased the “The Sensational Scarecrow Contest” has become a fun event for the whole community and hope it will continue for years to come. It would not have been as successful over these past 42 years had it not been for all the hard working volunteers, past and present, as well as enthusiastic staff and students participating. Not much has changed in the past years (Covid being the exception), although we have added or deleted games. It still continues to be a very fun and successful event for the community. Many past students who are now in college and other alumni of all ages come by to enjoy the event and say “hi.”
Lanny Hershenow planned the event for years (former Beck librarian and then full-time volunteer until she passed away a few years ago). Her son also went to Jessie Beck (as well as her granddaughter), and BBQ'd at the festival for 25 years. JP Pinocchio donated his wonderful grill and his BBQing skills for over 10 years. His three children went to Jessie Beck.
