The Meaford Scarecrow Invasion parade and festival kicks off Friday, October 2, 2025, with a downtown parade and family-friendly events.

The Meaford Scarecrow Invasion parade and festival will take place Friday, October 2, 2025, beginning at 6 p.m. with a parade along Sykes Street from Collingwood to Trowbridge streets, ending at Meaford Harbour. The downtown route will close from 5 to 6:45 p.m., and residents are advised to remove vehicles by 4:30 p.m. The festival will include food, entertainment, vendors, and free kids’ activities. A local apple pie contest will feature categories for traditional pies, young bakers aged 8 to 12, and novelty decorations, with entries required to be homemade, nine-inch double crust pies on aluminum plates, no nuts or extra fruit, and delivered to Christ Church Anglican between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Winners receive prizes from local businesses. More info at www.scarecrowinvasion.ca.