Pioneer Florida Museum's Scarecrow Festival returns to Dade City Saturday

AI-generated illustration. A handmade scarecrow stands beside orange pumpkins and a wooden table with pumpkin-painting supplies. Inspired by the story and Pasco County.

The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City holds its annual Scarecrow Festival this Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road.

Families can build their own scarecrow, visit a pumpkin patch and paint pumpkins, watch blacksmith and traditional craft demonstrations, and stop by a petting zoo presented by ZHS FFA, which is also serving boiled peanuts. The East Pasco Chamber listing also includes model train displays.

Scarecrow Festival timed activities, Saturday, Oct. 10

Time	Activity
9–11 a.m.	Touch a Truck
10 a.m. and noon	Spheres Bubble Show
10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.	Costume contests
11 a.m. and 1 p.m.	George Gilbert's Comedy Magic Show

Source: pioneerfloridamuseum.org

Entertainment around the grounds

The chamber listing names the Spheres Bubble Show as featured entertainment. It stars Blaise Ryndes, whom the museum describes as a four-time Guinness World Record holder and a Season 13 America's Got Talent performer, and is set up in the northwest area of the grounds.

Costume contests for fall, harvest or Halloween outfits take place in front of the historic yellow two-story house. Touch a Truck, near the Train Depot, lets kids meet the fire and sheriff's departments, and George Gilbert's comedy magic show and the Geared Up Band at the gazebo round out the entertainment.

Tickets and parking

Adults save by buying ahead: the museum's calendar lists online advance adult tickets at $12, compared with $15 at the gate. Student admission is $5 either way, and online tickets for seniors and veterans are $10. Children under 5 get in free.

Bring cash: the museum says some food and activities are cash only.

If the museum lot fills, free overflow parking is available at the Dade City Business Center at Pioneer Museum Road and U.S. 301, with transportation to and from the museum gate.

More fall dates at the museum

The museum's calendar lists Pioneers and Beers on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and an inaugural Scarecrow Run 5K benefiting the museum on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Little Everglades Ranch, with gates opening at 7 a.m. and the race starting at 8 a.m.