Scarecrows are often relegated to open fields to frighten birds away from crops.

But, that isn't necessarily the case in Palmerton, where the straw men are utilized as a fun attraction to bring visitors to the borough's downtown.With that very thought in mind, the third annual Scarecrow Display will again be sponsored by the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce.Only this time around, private residences are asked to join businesses to decorate the community with scarecrows, according to Joan Turko, coordinator of the display.Turko said businesses can decorate in a fashion that showcases their merchandise, while private homes have many options for scarecrow design."Kindly display a scarecrow in front of your business, or in your storefront window for the entire month of October," Turko said. "For residential display, an ideal location is the front of your home."The displays will be available during the participants' business hours, she said. Participation by businesses in the downtown has been high during the first two years of the event, Turko said.Turko said participants in need of a stand should contact Brian Billig, of Palmerton Lumber Company, at (610)-824-4888 to make arrangements.Anyone with questions about this year's scarecrow decorations may contact Turko at (610)-826-2716, or at

turkoadv@ptd.net.