Halloween is my favorite holiday by far, so as soon as the calendar hits October, I start planning how to squeeze as many fall festivals in Texas into one month as I possibly can. Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted houses - you name it, and I’m there. While I can’t realistically attend every single autumn activity in the Lone Star State each year, there is one event I never miss: the Scarecrow Festival at Shangri-La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, TX. This family-friendly attraction is an annual October tradition for many Southeast Texas residents (me included!), and I’m about to show you why.

I always try to avoid both opening and closing weekend, as they tend to be the most crowded, and this year was no exception. Mid-month is the perfect time to go - there are just enough people to create a lively atmosphere without making you feel rushed. Admission is free, which is a great way to kick off the holiday season (AKA the most expensive time of year!), and the parking area is just a short walk from the festival grounds.

The scarecrows are all built by local businesses, schools, and organizations, and believe me when I say the creativity will amaze you. Each one has a number, and they’re placed in order along an easy-to-follow path that takes you all over the gardens. There are also pumpkins everywhere, and they come in every color, size, and shape imaginable. I'm not sure of an exact number, but it has to be in the tens of thousands! It's impossible to ignore the magical feeling of fall that only gets stronger with every step you take. Couple that with the sounds of people ooh-ing and aah-ing over the scarecrows and seeing bugs and butterflies flitting to and fro, and it's truly like stepping into a fairytale. Of course, you’re free to venture off course and explore the rest of what Shangri-La has to offer! I never leave without spending some time in the heronry blind.

Once you’ve taken a look at all the scarecrows, you get to vote for your favorite. This year, my pick was “Odin” by Hammered Honey Farms and Mead. Doesn’t he look so cool?

The Scarecrow Festival is a quintessential autumn celebration that takes place on select weekends in October. For more information, visit the website for Shangri-La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. If you can’t make it to this year’s festival, don’t worry - just enjoy my photos and plan to go next season!

Have you ever been to the Scarecrow Festival at Shangri-La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center? What are your favorite fall festivals in Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! If you need a place to stay in the area, the Naturalist Boudoir in Lumberton is arguably one of the most popular stays on Airbnb. You won't be disappointed!