By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Geneseo’s Scarecrow Row made its debut in 2020, and the Halloween event continues to draw crowds of people, young and old, to City Park, just days prior to the official date of Halloween on Oct. 31. This year’s event was held Saturday, Oct. 25, and included a “Howl-O-Ween” Doggie Costume Pageant.

Scarecrow Row is sponsored by the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce and the “Howl-O-Ween” Doggie Pageant was sponsored in partnership with the Henry County Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter.

The Scarecrow Row display featured 90 scarecrows, designed and created by local businesses, organizations, and families. Participants handed out candy to children who were trick-or-treating in the park Saturday morning.

Zack Sullivan, executive director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce, said, approximately 4,000 people attended this year’s event, and he added, “We have had about 80 scarecrow displays in each of the last two years, and with 90 this year, we are encouraged by the number of participants.

There were 35 dogs in the Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Pageant, and Sullivan commented, “We would have been happy with 10 (dogs), so we were thrilled with the turnout.”

The doggie pageant was described as an “on-sight” fundraiser for the HCHS- Geneseo Shelter and participating dogs were awarded treats.

Sullivan said the Geneseo Chamber is thrilled with the success of this year’s event, “and we are planning ahead for the 2026 Scarecrow Row.”

He added, “David Smith of Smith Studio and Gallery in downtown Geneseo, is a driving force behind the event and I am very appreciative of his support.”

First, second and third place prizes were awarded to the top three scarecrow displays, and each winner received a Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate.