For the second year in a row, the streets of Tapanui were invaded by a fright of scarecrows which converged at the town country club yesterday.
The prizegiving for the second annual Scarecrow Festival was held in the West Otago town yesterday.
Event organising committee member Hilary Illingworth said there were almost 30 entries in this year's event.
Entrants had to make or build a scarecrow in any way possible for the competition.
There was a variety of different styles and themes, including a lookalike of United States President Donald Trump which won ''most controversial''.
Other designs included minions, Dame Edna, a ''Doctor Death''and a Martian.
The calibre of the scarecrows was ''amazing''.
''I'm shocked by how much creative vigour there is out here in the community, Mrs Illingworth said.
Sisters Paige and Aimee Nichol created a scarecrow that won the ''best teamwork'' category for children.
Named Annabelle the Farmer (with companion ''Shepp''), the stuffed scarecrow was fitted into a cardboard ute.
Using materials garnered from around home and by asking friends and family as well as local stores, the girls spent two days putting the scarecrow together.
They painted it bright yellow with a red lightning bolt on the side because it ''looks fast''.
Sven Captijn also worked on his own scarecrow which was described as ''living scarecrow'' made of flax, leaves and sticks.
Money raised from the competition will go to the Child Cancer Foundation.