Annual scarecrow festival set to return

One of last year's displays - Charlie and the Chocolate Factor-hay, which won took first place

The Scarecrow Festival will take place in the villages from Friday, April 29 to Monday, May 2.

People in the community display their own scarecrows for locals and visitors to see.

The festival has been running for around six years and a map will be available in shops for £2 that will guide visitors to the displays.

Visitors are then asked to return to any of the shops to vote for their favourite three displays, and the scarecrows with the most votes will win a cash prize.

Peter Wilson, chairman of Elie Fayre Day, the festival organisers, said: “It is something for everybody, whether a single person or elderly, it is a nice day.”

More than 60 scarecrows were displayed last year, and Mr Wilson added “another great display is expected this year”.

He noted that previous festivals have had people from all over Fife and even Montrose visit the village to see the sights.

People are free to choose any theme they wish, and Mr Wilson noted that sometimes people pick a current motif, such as the ‘latest movie’.

As an example, he added that in previous years he did a Boris Johnson in 2012 to tie in with the London Olympics.

And he added that in 2014 there was a litany of Scottish independence referendum themed effigies and last year it was the general election that took centre stage.

Entries for Elie’s Scarecrow Festival are many and varied - more than 60 last year alone.

Entrants often go with a theme - the independence referendum, the London Olympics, the general election.

Other entries over the years have included a reenactment of Kate Winslet and Leonardo di Caprio’s famous scene from the film Titanic.

There have been more local depictions – of men (not) at work, car repairs under way – unsuccessfully, and a couple enjoying a Champagne dinner al fresco.

Peter Wilson made his comment on the general election last year by crafting a bed with the party leaders in it, and Nicola Sturgeon above it, choosing who to get in with, a reference to the anticipated coalition.