The village of Minskip, near Boroughbridge, is set to burst into a blaze of colour on the weekend of 5 and 6 September 2026 as its highly anticipated annual Scarecrow Competition returns with a vibrant new theme: The Circus.
The popular community event, which has built an exceptional reputation over the last six years, will see almost the entire village transform the main street with creative scarecrow displays. Following the success of last year, the competition will once again be judged by BBC Radio York’s Elly Fiorentini.
Organised as the primary fundraiser for St John’s Church, the weekend has grown into a major local highlight, blending community spirit with vital charitable support for the rural parish.
Debbie Hargreaves, Event Co-organiser:
The competition has really caught the imagination of the village in recent years and the standard is incredibly high. It’s great fun and all proceeds go towards our little church, which, like so many rural churches, is desperately in need of money.
Visitors can look forward to a festive atmosphere in the church garden across both days, featuring delicious home-baked cakes, tea, and coffee from 12pm to 4pm. Sunday will feature expanded offerings, including a barbecue, Pimms, ice creams, a tombola, a plant stall, and a pre-loved item stall.
Event Information & Logistics
- Dates: Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th September, 2026
- Timings: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM daily
- Location: Main Street and St John’s Church Garden, Minskip
- Parking: Available in the designated village field
- Entry Fee: Suggested £10 competition entry fee. Visitor donations are gratefully received via collection boxes throughout the village and car park.
The event has received strong backing from the local business community, with prizes and donations provided by Yolk Farm Shop, Morrisons, and Minskip Garage.
Debbie Hargreaves:
I’d like to thank all the businesses for their generosity. They are all committed to our local community and we are very grateful to them. I’m sure that this special weekend will mean that Minskip, once again, will be the talking point of the local area.
Robert Beaumont, a member of the Minskip Church Council, expressed immense gratitude to the organising team.
Robert:
I’d like to thank Debbie and her team for all their hard work, enthusiasm, and imagination. This fantastic weekend will raise much-needed money to keep our lovely little church a vibrant part of our village community.
The Circus theme follows a successful lineage of past event themes, which have included Pop Stars, the Olympics, Pantomimes, Disney, Nursery Rhymes, and “When I Grow Up”.
