[Zombie-F]

This is the thread for the discussion of our third challenge for the year 2006... the Scarecrow Square Off. The focus of this contest is building a scarecrow.

I'm looking for some input as to what rules and guidelines we should have for this one. I'm thinking a price limitation (as always) to keep a level playing field, maybe a size limitation for the scarecrow's post (how much of it sticks out of the ground) and possibly one other limitation to make this a bit of a challenge. It may just be a price and size limit this time. I need some ideas from you guys as to what other limitations we could possibly impose to make this challenging.

Feel free to post all your thoughts and ideas for consideration and then I'll formulate the rules thread on July 16th. This thread will remain open through the duration of the contest much like the thread for the previous two challenges did.

The contest will be slated to come to a close on September 30th and will be our last challenge of the building season.

 

[Sickie Ickie]

Hey, I'm excited! I'm going to sit back and watch the posts here and maybe comment on something when the more experienced people suggest things.

 

[krough]

Ill start off with

1. Cost no more than 50$

2. Must exceed 8 ft in height

 

[Front Yard Fright]

i agree on the price limit. but i don't know about the post limit. my parents don't want any holes in our yard! also, you should have it so the people have to make the head. so nobody just throws one of those fake foam pumpkins that are already carved.
... just my input

 

[heresjohnny]

Might I suggest some of the rules that used to be posted at Skull and Bones before they cancelled thier contest.

1. Contact to the ground is limited to a maximum of 4" by 4", which may be driven into the ground or attached to a flat, plain base which will hold the post upright.

2. Must be able to survive outside in the elements for 72 hours.

Myself, I would prefer a minimum height of 6', and a maximum cost of $30. If I am missing an expense that requires a higher money limit please let me know.

 

[Bram Bones]

I don't really see a problem with people using pre-cut foam pumpkins.
I think creativity will be judged accordingly in the end so let all be welcome.
And I think an 8 foot height limit is a bit too much. Five feet and up?

 

[TearyThunder]

Well if we go with a maximun less than $50.00 I believe I am out of this one. The scarecrow I am working on is running me about $45 give or take.

 

[Front Yard Fright]

yeah TT the scarecrow i was thinking about was going to have a bucky in it, and those are like 80 bucks or so? so i'm out i might come up with another idea though.

 

[heresjohnny]

Previous contest have had a money limit to keep it in the range of everone's pocket book. I don't mind $50 maximum all that much if everyone else is okay with that. I wouldn't want to go higher.

 

[krough]

I don't really see a problem with people using pre-cut foam pumpkins.
I think creativity will be judged accordingly in the end so let all be welcome.
And I think an 8 foot height limit is a bit too much. Five feet and up?

Agreed it might be a bit too much, But I was trying to add to the "challenge" part. Although building something that large in my shop is nearly impossible, I'd have to build it outside. LOL

 

[Zombie-F]

i agree on the price limit. but i don't know about the post limit. my parents don't want any holes in our yard! also, you should have it so the people have to make the head. so nobody just throws one of those fake foam pumpkins that are already carved.
... just my input

You don't necessarily need to drive a post into the ground. You could attach it with rope to something already in the ground (like a tree stump) or even design a scarecrow similar to this one that has a plywood base and is free-standing.

Might I suggest some of the rules that used to be posted at Skull and Bones before they cancelled thier contest.

1. Contact to the ground is limited to a maximum of 4" by 4", which may be driven into the ground or attached to a flat, plain base which will hold the post upright.

2. Must be able to survive outside in the elements for 72 hours.

Ok, I can deal with those. These two things will be part of the rules.

I don't really see a problem with people using pre-cut foam pumpkins.
I think creativity will be judged accordingly in the end so let all be welcome.
And I think an 8 foot height limit is a bit too much. Five feet and up?

I'd have to say the use of commercially available materials (masks, pumpkins, etc) will be acceptable because Bram Bones is right... the judging will definitely go to the more creative entries and that alone will (likely) deter the use of pre-fabricated heads, hands, etc...

As for the height limit, I'd have to say perhaps no taller than 6' would be sufficient. I shall wait for more input on this point.

Well if we go with a maximun less than $50.00 I believe I am out of this one. The scarecrow I am working on is running me about $45 give or take.

I'll wait for a few more to give some input on the price limit, but what in the process of building a scarecrow is that expensive?

 

[heresjohnny]

Ill start off with

1. Cost no more than 50$

2. Must exceed 8 ft in height

um, krough like em tall

 

[krough]

2. Must be able to survive outside in the elements for 72 hours.

How can this be verified? Seems like my elements may be very different than someone elses, and is largely open to interpretation. How do we measure this?

 

[TearyThunder]

I'll wait for a few more to give some input on the price limit, but what in the process of building a scarecrow is that expensive?

I am currently working on finishing a 12ft scarecrow made of PVC

 

[heresjohnny]

As I recall the 4" by 4" limit was to eliminate Munster Mud. DOn't know if we care about that or not. We also need to decide on animation and internal lighting.

 

[krough]

um, krough like em tall

Trying to add to the "challenge" part

 

[Zombie-F]

As I recall the 4" by 4" limit was to eliminate Munster Mud. DOn't know if we care about that or not. We also need to decide on animation and internal lighting.

I'd have to go no with animation again, but the use of internal lighting could create some interesting entries so I'll say "yea" to the use of lighting.

 

[Zombie-F]

Trying to add to the "challenge" part

So you're saying a minimum height requrement as opposed to a height limit? That could be interesting. Maybe I'll make it "at least 6 feet tall" instead of a "six foot limit."

And for the price limit, if nobody objects to $50, I'll allow that.

 

[krough]

Yes a mnimum height requirement. Go 7', 6' is normal LOL

 

[heresjohnny]

2. Must be able to survive outside in the elements for 72 hours.

How can this be verified? Seems like my elements may be very different than someone elses, and is largely open to interpretation. How do we measure this?

Good question. And good point. I believe this rule was to enforce the construction of a scarecrow that could be considered functional, but I am not set on this as a rule. The only way I know to enforce it would be the honor system. Myself I would probably put mine outside just when the next hurricane hits Florida.