Locals and visitors from afar are invited to stuff a scarecrow, bob for apples and learn how to make cider at the 14th annual Scarecrow and Harvest Festival, organized by the Southern Oregon Historical Society and hosted at Hanley Farm.

While the Scarecrow Festival has been a staple of the Rogue Valley’s fall events for more than a decade now, this year’s festival will bring heaps of new harvest activities to celebrate the season as a whole.

“We’re expanding it a bit this year,” said Anna Sloan, curator at SOHS and one of the festival organizers. “We’re adding a little extra to this event.”

Those new features include pumpkin painting, an opportunity for a family photo with an old-fashioned farm truck, a historic quilt showcase and more.

“This year, we’re going to do a special quilt-themed tour displaying historic quilts from our own collection at SOHS and two of our partners, McKee Bridge Historical Society and also the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society,” Sloan said. “This is an opportunity for quilt enthusiasts or people who want to learn more about historic textiles.”

The Scarecrow and Harvest Festival is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept 21-22, at Hanley Farm, located at 1053 Hanley Road in Central Point.

The two-day event is free to attend.

For more information on the event details, visit sohs.org/event/1940s-fall-festival.

SOHS will offer scarecrow making kits for $20 each which includes all the needed materials.

“The kit includes everything you’d need to make and mount a scarecrow that you can take home with you,” Sloan said. “It’s really super fun, and the clothes donations come from local second-hand shops.”

Items included in the kit are stuffing hay, a wooden cross to keep the scarecrow upright, an assortment of clothes to dress it up and more.

“And then there’s twine to bind the arms and legs, a premade head for the scarecrow with a plain face that can be decorated with permanent markers and an assortment of accessories and hats and mittens and scarves,” Sloan said.

Beyond the ability to make scarecrows, those looking for a competition can participate in the yearly scarecrow contest, which includes multiple categories and themes.

“Oregon History” is a new theme this year, challenging participants to represent a character from Oregon’s history with their scarecrow.

“We always try and emphasize the amazing history we have in the Rogue Valley,” Sloan said, adding, “that will be a sort of special entry category.”

The historical society will announce contest winners Sunday, Sept. 22 on its Facebook page at facebook.com/SouthernOregonHistoricalSociety.

Regarding the harvest side of the festival, there will be plenty for visitors to do to celebrate autumn.

“For the fall-themed activities, we have a historical cider press showing kids how apple cider is made,” Sloan said.

Leonard Orchard in Medford will donate apples to use for the cider press as well as for apple bobbing at the festival.

Gobi’s Coffee Bar will have a range of fall-themed beverages and other treats for people to peruse.

SOHS organizers are excited to share the fall spirit with the community and utilize the historic Hanley Farm as the festival’s setting.

“With the changing of the seasons, Hanley Farm is beautiful this time of year,” Sloan said. “We’re looking forward to sharing this place with the community.”

To learn more about SOHS, visit sohs.org.