Not really scary

The Wairarapa town of Gladstone will "let loose the larrikin within" during its annual Scarecrow Festival, October 25 to November 9.

A map is available to help to pinpoint the strange and wonderful scarecrow creations dotting the countryside and this year a Scarecrow Village will mysteriously appear in a field behind the Gladstone Inn.

The programme is packed with fun events for young, old, and in-betweens, including a Scarecrow Scamper (a fancy-dress fun run), a Scarecrow Fair, a Scarecrow Hoedown, and Scareable Arts at Halloween.

On the web: Gladstone