Scarecrows Take The Streets of Troy

Troy, New York October 6, 2008 – The trees are glowing with color as the temperatures start to dip, signaling the start of autumn.

In honor of the season and the coincidence of Halloween with Troy Night Out, the TNO organizers are sponsoring a “Scarecrows in the Streets” event. Local residents, businesses, and civic groups are invited to create their own scarecrows that will be hung on lampposts around downtown Troy from Oct 31st – Nov 28th.

"I'd love to see every street of downtown Troy adorned with scarecrows" said Karen Schlesinger, one of the event organizers, said. "This is a new twist on our monthly Troy Night Out event, and we’re hoping this will get the community excited."

Karen Schlesinger and Elizabeth Young started Troy Night Out a year and half ago with other local business owners, artists and residents who wanted to see a vibrant streetscape come back to the downtown. Both Schlesinger and Young own their own businesses on River Street. Ms. Young is also the executive director of the Troy Downtown Collaborative, and Ms. Schlesinger is on the board of Capital District Local First, so both are keenly aware of the importance of bringing out the spirit of the community to our downtowns in order for them to thrive.

"Troy Night Out is great for bringing people out on the last Friday of the month, but we need activity all month long. This brings people downtown to enjoy the scarecrows. If there are things for people to do, we can help keep the city alive, even through these tough economic times," said Young.

Families, businesses, school groups, volunteer organizations and civic groups are all invited to create a traditional - or more innovative - scarecrow. Participation is free, but you must register. Registration forms are available online at troynightout.org, as well as at Digital Artist's Space (265 River St) or at Living Room Antiques (274 River St). Hay pickup will be on Saturday, Oct 11 from 11 am – 1 pm at the parking lot next 265 River St in downtown Troy, just before Monument Square. Hay and twine are provided, and participants only need to provide the old clothes & imagination! Finished scarecrows need to be turned in to Living Room Antiques at 274 River St from Wed, Oct 22 –Sat Oct 25 from 11 am – 5 pm so they can be displayed. The scarecrows will be up around the downtown between the Oct 31st and Nov 28th TNOs. For more information, call Karen Schlesinger at (518) 203-1096 or Elizabeth Young at (518) 727-9786.

Troy Night Out is sponsored every month by the City of Troy, The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Metroland Newspaper, the design and marketing firm ID29, Lotus Screenprinting, and is presented by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

For additional information, contact Karen Schlesinger at 518-203-1096 or Elizabeth Young at 518-727-9786

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