Downtown Summerville will once again take on a fall look as Summerville Main Street invites schools, businesses, clubs, nonprofit organizations and families to participate in this year’s Scarecrow Contest.

The contest is designed to help transform the community into a backdrop for a month-long harvest celebration, with locally created scarecrows displayed throughout downtown.

Registration is free, with a deadline of September 29. Participants can register through Summerville Main Street by requesting an entry form from slocklear@summervillega.org or by stopping by Summerville City Hall.

Organizers are encouraging participants to get creative with their entries. Scarecrows must meet the contest’s rules and regulations and will be placed in assigned locations downtown.

Participants will be able to construct their displays between September 24 and October 1. Scarecrows are to be delivered and set up in the participant’s assigned downtown location during that period.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries. First place will receive $100, second place $50 and third place $25.

Winners will be announced during Sum Nelly at noon.

The annual contest gives local schools, co-workers, civic groups, organizations and families an opportunity to participate in decorating downtown Summerville while creating a festive setting for the community’s fall activities.

The important date for anyone wanting to participate is September 29, when registration closes.