A collection of 31 sculptures was put on display over the weekend, taking over the front lawn of Newtown Middle School.

The works represent the entries for the 2015 My Favorite Scarecrow Sculpture Contest, and represent up to 6½ weeks of work by students. Newtown Middle School eighth graders had their first meeting in September with NMS teachers Kristen Ciarletto and Leigh Anne Coles, who have taken over coordinating the contest in this, its 20th anniversary year. The students were again challenged to design a larger-than-life scarecrow that can withstand the elements, and on a limited budget.

The finished works began arriving at the Queen Street school on Friday, October 23. The following morning, teams of students were still arriving at the middle school to put their sculptures on view.

The resulting collection includes works that pay homage to fairy tales and favorite children’s book characters, among others. There are at least two displays that celebrate Snoopy and the work of Charles B. Schulz. Others opted for a seasonal theme, with one group creating a Dementor standing over Harry Potter; another group producing a Headless Horseman; and others whipping up decidedly scary vignettes.

Pop culture references, from M&M characters to a much-larger-than-life Polaroid camera, have also made an appearance this season. The collection, as every previous collection has done, is impressive in showing the depth of imagination and creativity in the town’s public school system.

Shortened Viewing Time

In years past, the sculptures have been left up for a period of ten days. This year the sculptures were to be in place by late Saturday morning, and could be removed as early as Sunday evening, October 25. All sculptures will be removed from the school’s front lawn by Thursday, October 29.

To help with voting, The Bee made sure a photograph was taken of every sculpture on view once by early Saturday afternoon; click through the slideshow at right to view the photos. Students at the school that afternoon indicated that all groups participating in the contest were expected to have their sculpture on view by that time.

The entire community is invited to vote for their favorite, at $1 per vote. Ballots were available over the weekend from parents and students staffing a table on the school’s lawn. Ballots are also available in the October 23 print edition of The Newtown Bee, and by clicking here.

Ballots must be delivered to the B-wing office of Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street; or the office of The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, by Thursday, October 29.

Photocopied ballots are accepted.

The money generated during the voting period will be split among the three teams whose sculpture collects the largest number of votes. Winners will be announced to Newtown Middle School students during the week of November 2, as well as to Bee readers in print and online.