Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care and Hoxie Homes & Remodeling winners in the 19th Annual Waconia Scarecrow Tour
The community has spoken, and the votes are in: The 19th Annual Waconia Scarecrow Tour was one to remember! Nearly 50 businesses brought creativity, hard work, and fall vibes to Waconia’s streets, and visitors came out to explore the displays and vote for their favorites.
The 19th Annual Waconia Scarecrow Tour featured imaginative entries from over 45 businesses, bringing fall vibes to the streets. We heard positive feedback about the emphasis on scarecrow displays this year and are glad to continue celebrating the creativity and charm that make the Waconia Scarecrow Tour a special fall tradition.
Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care earned the Grand Prize for the creepy and elaborate “The Great Nagel Escape.” This frightfully creative and chaotic scene included skeletons, zombies, witches, and more, all attempting to escape the facility. Escape to where, you ask? That’s for you to decide. The talented staff even snuck in a little Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers rivalry – now that’s scary! The sheer scale and detail made this an attention-grabbing winner on this year’s tour.
For the second year in a row, the People’s Choice Award went to Hoxie Homes & Remodeling for their whimsical and heartwarming display, “Dream it UP. Hoxie Homes will build it.” Keeping with the seasonal theme, Hoxie Homes sends Carl and Russell to Paradise Falls on a pumpkin-powered journey. With 156 votes, this sweet creation reminds us to dream big and embrace adventure.
In the People’s Choice category, several entries earned honorable mentions, finishing among the top five in voting. Philp Family Dentistry’s “Smiles are Needoh” showcased bright color, a playful spirit, and a talent for knowing the key to any middle schooler’s heart. Security Bank & Trust Co. put together a hero-worthy, action-packed scene with “Your Friendly Neighborhood Fraud Fighters,” keeping the community safe from scams and schemes. Rebound Orthotics & Prosthetics wowed with their sweet “Toy Scare-y.” With one push of a button, their interactive creation came alive! And last but certainly not least, Sunny Days Therapy’s “You’ve Got a Friend in SunnyDays” was sweet, nostalgic, and a really fun addition to this year’s tour.
The judges also wanted to give a special shout-out to other head-turning entries. Judges appreciated Cultivate Dance Collaborative’s creative take on “The Nutcracker” while staying true to the scarecrow theme. And “Sit. Stay. Score.” at the Waconia Veterinary Clinic featured skeleton dogs and cats participating in some people’s favorite season – football season! Their nod to Breast Cancer Awareness Month added a meaningful touch to this exciting scene.
A panel of judges chose the Grand Prize winner, while the community voted on the People’s Choice winner. Nearly 800 votes were cast in the People’s Choice category, a strong show of community support and engagement for this favorite fall tradition. Thank you to The Basement, Coney’s, Culver’s, Frattallone’s Hardware & Garden, and McDonald’s for donating prizes for community voters.
The Waconia Chamber hosts the Waconia Scarecrow Tour annually to highlight member businesses, encourage community engagement, and spotlight Waconia as a fun destination. To see all the scarecrows, visit the Waconia Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or DestinationWaconia.org.