Scarecrows to add even more fall flavor to Chowderfest Weekend at the Jersey Shore

Aug. 24, 2009 - PRLog -- Last year, thousands of visitors came to LBI for the “official end of summer ritual” that is Chowderfest Weekend, noticed something a little different about their favorite shore resort. They were greeted by dozens of friendly straw ambassadors posted in front of stores, in shop windows or in group displays created by chamber member businesses and non profit organizations.  What caused this many scarecrows to pop up not only on Long Beach Island, but in Waretown, Barnegat, Stafford, Tuckerton and  in Little Egg as well? The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce created the free contest to remind everyone that fall events, activities and shopping are still in full swing at the Long Beach Island Region of the Jersey Shore.

This year, scarecrow entries have already started coming into the Chamber. “We are anticipating another great turn out this year,” says Lori Pepenella, Destination Marketing Director. "Everyone loved these scarecrows last fall, it cheered so many up and started alot of great conversations." There is new component to this year’s contest, online voting and a virtual Scarecrow Gallery on our website. The businesses and groups are to create a scarecrow that best interprets their business. The Chamber will list each scarecrow location on its Scarecrow Row Flyer which is distributed during Chowderfest Weekend, as well as online and at the visitor center for the rest of the month. Anyone choosing to take part in picking this year’s winner will be asked to register their vote at www.visitLBIregion.com. Scarecrow entrants are encouraged to further promote their business and their scarecrow  by reaching out their email list or adding the link to other customer communications. The scarecrows will not only be displayed on October 3, but a digital photo they send to the chamber will be uploaded and the Scarecrow Row Gallery will go live online. Voting will take place online at www.visitLBIregion.com from October 3 to October 15 with a popular vote winner in the business and non profit category.

Last year’s Non Profit winner was the Soroptimists of LBI, whose gardener tending to a garden of good deeds scarecrow was in front of Tropics Too! The Business category was won by Sea Crest Village, with a nurse scarecrow pushing a wheelchair with a sitting scarecrow patient. The winners will receive a trophy, all who enter receive an official
ScareCrow Row 2009 Certificate.

For more information about entering and a copy of the rules, contact the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Contest, 265 West Ninth Street Ship Bottom. 609 494 7211 or register online at
http://www.visitlbiregion.com/chamber/visitors-things-to-...

# # #

Providing the business and tourism community with information regarding the Long Beach Island Region of the Jersey Shore for 95 years.
The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce maintains a visitors center and the region's premiere travel website.