The Auburn Community Festival's superstar scarecrow maker will be keeping this year's creation under wraps until the day of the event Oct. 20.

In past years, Meadow Vista scarecrow artist Kurt Barton has wowed festival-goers with everything from a larger-than-life band of scarecrow rockers to a crowd of 17 scarecrows challenging viewers to imagine a better world.

But - as is the tradition of a scarecrow maker who won the first contest in 1997 and has piled on several more wins in both the overall and people's choice categories since then - he's mum on what will be unveiled at the Auburn Recreation Park event.

"It's a surprise," Barton said Thursday. "I don't think people want to know what's in the package before it's opened."

Barton, a 55-year-old retiree, uses found materials he discovers in thrift stores or manufactures from the natural world around him, to come up with flights of fantasy for the contest. This year will be his 10th entry and he usually comes away with a win.

The money's nice, Barton said. This year, the open division will hand out $1,000 for first place, $800 for second, $700 for third, $500 for fourth and $150 for fifth. The people's choice award could tack on another $1,000 to overall winnings. There's also money to be won in the youth group and 14-and-under categories.

But the real fun is in the making of the scarecrows, which involves a little bit of sculpting, a little painting, some fabrication and a lot of imagination.

"It's a lot of time and a lot of thought," Barton said. "I just have tons of fun."

Barton said a low entry fee and the promise of an event T-shirt even if he didn't win initially piqued his interest. That still holds true today, with an entry cost of $5, which includes a free T-shirt. Official entries are available online. There is also an entry form printed in today's Auburn Journal on page A-15. All entries must be mailed by Oct. 17, but late entries will be accepted the morning of the event.

Judging will take place at the festival, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20.

Another perennial strong shower, Jan Hyatt's kindergarten class at Skyridge Elementary School in Auburn will be back in the competition again this year.

Hyatt said that the pint-sized scarecrow makers spend time brainstorming ideas and then vote on a theme. Past themes have included Betsy Ross, Cat in the Hat, the Gingerbread Man and Mother Hubbard.

The children's excitement peaks when they see the results of their work at the festival, she said.

"They feel a sense of pride when they see their work displayed," Hyatt said.

Like Barton, the youngsters like the chance to create and build.

"It's a fun class project where everyone's a winner," Hyatt said. "For them, it's typically not the money or the ribbons, it's doing the project."

Hyatt catches the excitement as the scarecrows are displayed.

"Every year, the event seems to grow," she said. "The entries get bigger and better and more elaborate."

The Journal's Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com, or post a comment at auburnjournal.com. \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~