Each fall, our community comes together creatively by building scarecrows that line the streets of downtown Murfreesboro. What may seem like a simple seasonal tradition is actually a powerful driver of local economic impact.

The idea began six years ago, borrowed from a neighboring city’s Main Street program, and it quickly became a community fall favorite. In 2025, approximately 50 scarecrows are registered to participate, making this our biggest year yet.

When families, schools, businesses, and community groups create scarecrows, they invest time, creativity, and resources in helping to build a sense of place in our historic downtown. But the actual impact happens when the community comes downtown to view the scarecrows and vote for their favorites in person. Every visit means more foot traffic in front of our local shops, restaurants, and service providers.

While people are here to enjoy the scarecrows, they are also grabbing lunch, shopping, or discovering a new favorite business. That circulation of dollars directly supports our small businesses, keeps money local, and strengthens the heartbeat of downtown.

By turning a fun community tradition into an in-person experience, Scarecrows Downtown not only celebrates creativity but also fuels economic growth. It is a win for families, a win for local businesses, and a win for the entire community.