Hundreds of scarecrows line the trails at Frank Jackson State Park and the crowds are starting to visit. A ribbon cutting was held yesterday to kick-off the seventh annual Scarecrows in the Park, and the turnout is expected to exceed previous years.

Last year, the event boasted more than 500 scarecrows along the trails and Trailmasters President Kenneth Short said he hopes to exceed that number as well.

Residents and businesses are still encouraged to bring their scarecrows and participate in the tradition, he said.

The scarecrows will be present through October and November and signs are posted leading to the park entrance.

The Opp Rotary Club will also host a Scarecrow 5K Trail Run/Walk for Sat., Oct. 18, at 8:30 a.m., which will follow the trail of scarecrows through the park.

“It’s just a beautiful place to have a race, it’s overlooking the lake,” event organizer and Opp Rotarian Dr. Chuck Burgess said. “Part of the race will be over the walking trails where the scarecrows are placed.”

The pre-registration deadline is Oct. 10, but participants can still sign up before the run/walk begins.