Fairview Park is about to get scarier for contest

Fairview Park is open for submissions to its annual scarecrow contest — if residents only have the heart, the nerve and possibly the brains.

The Orange County Model Engineers’ Scarecrow & Pumpkin Festival, which takes place Saturday and Sunday at the park’s Goat Hill Junction Railroad in Costa Mesa, invites residents to stake the traditional farm fixtures on the grounds. Submission may be turned in at Goat Hill from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, and fees are $10 for individuals and $50 for businesses. Many participants have preregistered, but limited spaces are still available.

The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the scarecrow contest, the event offers pumpkin-picking, train rides, face-painting, food and more. Admission and train rides are free, with $4 for pumpkin-picking. At 2 p.m. Sunday, judges will give out awards for scarecrows in 10 categories, which include Best in Show, People’s Choice, Spookiest and Most Humorous.

For more information on the festival and submission guidelines, call (949) 436-5460.

—Michael Miller