BIRDS will be keeping away from Sonning this weekend, but organisers of the bi-annual scarecrow festival are hoping that visitors will flock to the village.
Running on Sunday and bank holiday Monday, the event will see more than 50 homes take part in the festivities.
Each will have made their very own scarecrow, often complete with a tableaux.
Although not a contest, there is a bit of friendly rivalry among villagers to create the best possible scarecrow.
Previous years have seen recreations of Spider-Man, Mr Bump and even 101 Dalmatians. Another home recreated the moment Wallace and Gromit arrived on the moon, complete with smoking rocket.
In addition, some homes will open their gardens to visitors, Pearson Hall will be home for a display by the local art group and refreshments and St Andrew’s Church will be open.
On the Sunday, there will be a display of cherished cars at the old Sonning Forge in Pearson Road.
Organiser Barbara Carr said: “There will be scarecrows scattered around the village. There wide a wide variety of scarecrows. There seems to be a animal theme, there will be dinosaurs. The villagers always rally round to make this a special event.”
The show runs from 11am to 4.30pm over the two days. maps cost £5 per adult, children free
Parking is at the University of Reading’s farm and the Mill at Sonning.
For more details, visit www.sonningscarecrows.co.uk