Creative scarecrows bring fall spirit to Shangri La gardens

As people across Orange County awoke to cool fall temperatures on Tuesday, the gates to the 14th annual Scarecrow Festival at Shangri La Botanical Gardens opened to bring autumn colors and activities for all ages.

Schools, churches, businesses, civic clubs, and families design and set-up scarecrow displays along the walkways of Shangri La. Groups from throughout the area participate and attendees will be able to vote for their favorites in different categories.

The gardens are also decorated with thousands of pumpkins of all colors and sizes, along with fall gourds. A guess how many pumpkins and gourds contest is also part of the activities.

Horticulturists have planted displays of fall colors and flowers throughout the gardens.

Several special events and activities are planned with some for children and others for adults.

The gardens have free admission and are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and closed to the public on Sundays and Mondays.

The fall evening Sip and Stroll held in conjunction with Free State Winery of Orange will be on Thursday, October 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. Free State will sell by pre-order picnic suppers, wine, and sangrias. The suppers and beverages may be ordered through freestatecellars.com under shop/food.

The winery will be selling individual glasses of wine and sangria at the gardens during the Sip and Stroll. Musical entertainment will be provided by Pendulum Hearts of Austin featuring jazz and Western swing.

Some tables and chairs will be set up for dining and sipping, however people are also invited to bring blankets to sit on for more of a picnic atmosphere. No outside food or drinks will be allowed.

The Scarecrow Festival will culminate with the annual Autumn Festival on Saturday, October 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. A number of games, crafts, and activities for kids and their families during the Fall Festival. Vendors booths with information on nature and the outdoors will also be set up.

Winning scarecrow entries will also be announced that day.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is more than 250 acres along Adams Bayou in Orange. It was established by the late H.J. Lutcher Stark in the 1940s and then closed to the public for more than 50 years.

The Stark Foundation created landscaped gardens for strolling and left acreage in its natural state. Boat tours along the bayou are offered and schools throughout Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana take field trips for learning science and nature lessons guided by Shangri La's staff educators.

The main entrance is at 2111 West Park Avenue with free parking available across the street.