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The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation and Lee County Parks & Recreation invite businesses, nonprofits, groups and organizations to sponsor an entry for “Scarecrows in the Park” as part of the annual Lakes Park Fall Festival.

Scarecrows will be on display Oct. 9-31 in the Children’s Garden at Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, as part of the festival.

The theme of the 2026 competition is “Scarecrows at Work,” celebrating the many ways we work in our everyday lives. Participants are encouraged to design a single-standing scarecrow that displays any type of work, task, trade or hobby from the traditional to the abstract.

Each display will feature the sponsoring business, family or organization’s name to show support for Lakes Park and the Lee County community.

Youth and school groups are also needed to design scarecrows for businesses that choose to sponsor but not build their own. Youth groups receive $50 for supplies. Awards will be presented to the VIP and People’s Choice winners.

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The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation has organized “Scarecrows in the Park” for 16 years as part of the Lakes Park Fall Festival. Festival activities include a pumpkin patch, hayrides, inflatables and concessions presented by Wheel Fun Rentals, as well as the Halloween Express train ride presented by the Southwest Florida Train Museum.

The deadline for registration is Sept. 24. For more information visit www.LakesPark.org or email scarecrows@lakespark.org.

The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to assisting Lee County Parks & Recreation through philanthropic and volunteer efforts to enrich Lakes Park and enhance the community’s enjoyment of this natural resource.

For more information about Lee County Parks & Recreation locations, amenities and special events, visit www.leeparks.org, call 239-533-7275, email leeparks@leegov.com, or follow leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram.

Residents and visitors can also explore more than 30 locations and earn rewards through Parks, Points & Perks. Learn more at www.visitfortmyers.com/ParksPass.

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To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit www.leeparks.org and www.nrpa.org/July.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters and follow on social media: www.leegov.com/socialmedia.

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