Eco Wine Furniture owner Jose Pedro Meza Santos has plenty to brag about these days–at least in the scarecrow-building world.
On Nov. 18, Santos accepted the 2014 Harvest Cup: Best in the Valley trophy for his entry into the Annual Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest and Contest that began Oct. 10. He’ll hold the victor’s title until he hands it over to the newly crowned ruler of the realm in next year’s contest.
This was the second annual Scarecrow Fest for the valley, which involved about 200 scarecrows scattered across Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang. Each town yielded a winner, all of which went stuffed head to stuffed head in front of a panel of five judges who shall remain anonymous.
Santos’s winning entry represented Solvang, where it took top honors over contenders from Lucas and Lewellen, Wandering Dog Wine Bar, the Law Office of Lana Clark, Birkholm’s Bakery and Café (which won “Most Danish”), Parts Unknown, and the city of Solvang itself.
Santa Ynez named a winner in Jennifer Pedersen of Solvang School’s fifth grade, sponsored by Linda and Clark Small and Dos Carlitos Restaurant. Los Olivos’ top scarecrow came from Alta Maria Vineyard. Buellton, from which last year’s Best in the Valley winner hailed, gave the top nod to Parks Plaza Theatre this year.
Los Alamos put a twist on the theme by styling itself as a home to the birds scared out of the other valley communities.
For more information, visit syvscarecrows.com.
Executive Editor Ryan Miller compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send items for consideration to the Sun via news@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 3, 2014.