Copyright M Live Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Local businesses around Grand Rapids are putting their creativity to the test by making scarecrows for the public to vote on. The second annual event is hosted by Oh, Hello Co. Paper & Gifts, a one-stop shop downtown for greeting cards and Grand Rapids-themed items. The shop at 40 Monroe Center introduced a SpongeBob-themed scarecrow, “Spongecrow Scarepants,” for the contest this year. It joins 33 other participating downtown businesses, including its sister store next door, Courage & Soar, which has a Taylor Swift-themed scarecrow. “We love having the engagement after ArtPrize,” said Della Becker-Cornell, operations manager for Courage & Soar and Oh, Hello Co. Paper & Gifts. “The community is already activated, many businesses come together — there’s a lot of excitement around it." She told MLive that Kayla and Alexa Benda, who own both stores, prepared all of the materials and even went to a local farm to get the straw to put everything together. Della Becker-Cornell said it’s an “easy win” to continue hosting the competition because Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. supports and funds the materials. “The businesses that wanted to do the project have their supplies, so it’s up to them to get it done,” she said. “They have another week, so they still can participate.” All ages are welcome to roam at their own pace and vote for their favorite scarecrow at bit.ly/grscarecrows. Voting is open the entire run of the event, Oct. 18-31, and the top three favorites will be crowned after Halloween with trophies and neighborhood bragging rights. The free walking tour includes the following 34 Grand Rapids businesses: Oh, Hello Paper & Gifts Courage & Soar Gazelle Sports Show Salon Garden District The Aroma Labs Grand Rapids Children’s Museum KCAD Fashion Studies Periwinkle Fog City Flats Hotel The Parlour at City Flats Vault of Midnight Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Sugar Bar GVSU Laker Store Kilwins Biggby The August Connection JW Marriott Amway Grand Plaza AC Hotel Courtyard Hotel Grand Vin San Chez Niksi Home & Floral The Arts Marketplace Cellar Bird Books One Bourbon Rapid River Stillhouse Gilda’s Club Rebel Nell Rewind Grand Rapids Elks Lodge Charter Capital Check out the participating businesses throughout the city with this map.
