Benicia's 15th Annual Scarecrow Contest is Making Headlines!
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Benicia's 15th Annual Scarecrow Contest Has Begun! Browse the Entries and Vote for Your Favorite
Every year in October, the businesses of downtown Benicia battle it out in the Annual Scarecrow Contest. This is not your average scarecrow competition, Benicia is home to one of the largest artist communities in the Bay Area, and the creativity of Benicia business owners is next level.
Visitors are invited to stroll along First Street to marvel at this year's scarecrow creations and vote for their favorite, while enjoying the unique shopping, delicious dining, and memorable activities that Benicia has to offer.
Voting ends on Oct. 23rd, however scarecrows will be on display through Oct. 31st. Pick up a ballot at Benicia Main Street or any participating businesses.
Making Headlines All Across the Galaxy
One House Bakery's entry this year, "Pan Solo" - a life-size bread sculpture of Han Solo frozen in carbonite - has gone viral all around the world!
The sculpture has generated thousands of pieces of press coverage, millions of views on social media, and was even recognized on Twitter and Instagram by Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill!
Check out some of the articles written about "Pan Solo" and the Benicia Scarecrow Contest below:
You can visit "Pan Solo" outside of One House Bakery at 918 First Street , Benicia, CA 94510 as well as the other scarecrows at the participating businesses below.
Check out Benicia Main Street's photo gallery of some of the other spooky entries this year!
Full List of Participating Businesses
Downtown Businesses
- Angel Heart 4 You, 501 First St.
- Bella Siena Restaurant & Bar, 127 First St.
- Benicia Main Street, 90 First St.
- Benicia Plein Air Gallery, 307 First St.
- Boozie Bizarre, 131 D First St.
- Changes Hair Studio, 631 First St.
- Christina S, 370 First St.
- Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific, 900 First St.
- DGA Chiropractic and Wellness, 555 First St., Ste. 204
- Cullen’s Tannery Pub & Saloon, 131 B First St.
- Daughter of Luna, 931 First St.
- Gallery 621, 920 First St., Ste. 203
- Golden Horse Shoe Antiques, 415 First St.
- Hamann Real Estate, 513 First St.
- Happy Life Pottery, 632 First St.
- HQ Gallery, 333 D First St.
- K. Marie Salon, 621 First St.
- Krystle Properties, 521 First St.
- Le Sparkly Chateau, 638 First St.
- Luxe Hair Color & Design, 360 First St.
- Mare Island Brewing Co., 440 First St.
- Mozart, Einstein & Me, 620 First St.
- Once Upon A Canvas, 129 J First St.
- One House Bakery, 918 First St.
- Pacifica Pizza, 915 First St.
- Pink Arrows Boutique, 374 First St.
- Pups & Purrz, 422 First St.
- Re/Max Gold, 426 First St.
- Realty World, 555 First St.
- ResCom Properties, 376 First St.
- Rooted Beauty Studios, 601 First St. #101
- Sailor Jack’s, 123 First St.
- Sepay Groves Olive Oil, 364 First St.
- Sparkly Ragz, 560 First St., B-160
- Stephanie Scanlan State Farm, 739 First St.
- The Elevate Company, 901 First St.
- The Little Art Shop, 129 E First St.
- The Movement Chiropractic, 242 First St.
- The Teak Man, 739 B First St.
- Thriftie D’s, 800-A First St.
- Twin Oaks Real Estate, 231 First St.
- Zeppelin Comics, 929 First St.
Other
- Benicia Chamber of Commerce, 601 First St., Ste. 100
- Benicia Yacht Club, 400 E 2nd St.
- Chico’s Taqueria, 82 Solano Square
- Jazzercise, 378 Military E. St.
City of Benicia Departments
- Benicia Fire Department, 150 Military W. St.
- Benicia Police Department, 200 E. L St.
🎄 Holiday Magic Awaits in Benicia! Just 35 minutes from SF: Discover waterfront concerts, unique local shopping, festive parades, wine walks, Victorian carolers, and visits with Santa. Make this season special in our historic bay town.
'Tis the Season in Beautiful Benicia! Looking for a magical holiday shopping experience? Skip the mall crowds and discover the charm of downtown Benicia. Our historic First Street transforms into a winter wonderland, where local merchants offer unique treasures you won't find anywhere else. From handcrafted art to gourmet delights, each purchase supports our vibrant community of small business owners. Take a break between shops to savor seasonal specials at our waterfront restaurants, or join us for festive community events that capture the true spirit of the season. As you stroll past twinkling lights and decorated storefronts, you'll discover why Benicia is the Bay Area's hidden gem for holiday shopping. Let's explore just a few fantastic spots for your 2024 holiday shopping adventure: 
Happy Holidays! Make Benicia your one-stop shop for holiday shopping this year! Discover quirky shops, one-of-a-kind gifts, and friendly merchants who make it easy to find the perfect something for your special someone . You'll also be supporting small, locally-owned businesses that directly benefit the community! While you're at it, unwind and enjoy a delicious meal at one Benicia's incredible restaurants . And, to really get yourself in the holiday spirit, plan your shopping visit around one of Benicia's many family-friendly (and free) Holiday Events ! We've put together some quick tips in the 2023 Benicia Holiday Shopping Guide:
HAUNTED HISTORY: BAY AREA GHOST HUNTING!
Bakery Creates Life-Size Halloween Bread Sculpture From the Hit Show, The Last of Us Mother/Daughter baking team in Benicia, CA create eye-popping bread sculptures every Halloween, inspired by popular film & television characters An incredible mother/daughter baking team in Benicia, California, who last year made international headlines with their " Pan Solo " bread sculpture, have done it again! This year’s masterpiece is the even more ambitious " The Last of Crust ," a life-size bread sculpture inspired by the hit show and video game The Last of Us , starring Pedro Pascal. The “clickers” from the show, hand-sculpted and baked by Hannalee Pervan and her mother Catherine in Benicia's One House Bakery , are covered in more than 1,000 individually-created "mushrooms." The exhibit took over 400 hours of labor to construct, more than twice as long as "Pan Solo." The creature's man-eating chompers were hand-sculpted and modeled after Catherine's own teeth.
Attention Art Lovers! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Enjoy the final Benicia Art Walk of the year, with special exhibitions and live demonstrations at 8 galleries, all within easy walking distance of each other. Keep reading to find out what's happening at each gallery! When: October 14th, 12pm-4pm Where: First Street, Benicia Get directions Benicia Art Walk runs from 12pm-4pm , every second Saturday of June, July, September and October. We recommend arriving a bit early to give yourself time to make a whole day enjoying the city's many artisanal dining and boutique shopping options, as well. If you’re not sure where to start, just look for the blue banners hanging in front of each gallery, or view the 2023 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map HERE . Win a $200 Gift Card for the Arts If you get your Art Walk Passport stamped at each gallery, you can turn it in to one of the participating galleries for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate to be used at one of the 2023 Art Walk galleries! New for 2023: Art Walk Drink Specials Unlock Art Walk Drink Specials! Show your Art Walk pass at Mare Island Brewing Co. and Cullen's Tannery Pub to receive the exclusive offers below. Mare Island Brewing Co. : $1 off any glass of Mare Island Winefitters wine, or draft Mare Island Brewing Co. beer Cullen's Tannery Pub : A unique $5 special cocktail for each Art Walk this summer More Free Family Fun on October 14th! October 14th is Benicia's Family Fall-Tastic Saturday, with five events happening in one day ! In addition to Art Walk , see a dog costume contest at the Dog Festival , view the inside of a fire truck at the Fire Station's Open House or go Shopping at the Book Sale and Craft Fair . All events are free to the public, and there’s always plenty of free street parking nearby.
Family Fall-Tastic: Five Events, One Day!
Attention Art Lovers! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Enjoy and explore the Benicia Art Walk . Celebrate one of the Bay Area’s most active art communities, and enjoy entertainment & live demonstrations at 8 galleries in downtown Benicia. When: September 9th, 12pm-4pm Where: First Street, Benicia Get directions Benicia Art Walk runs from 12pm-4pm , every second Saturday of June, July, September and October. We recommend arriving a bit early, giving yourself time to make a whole day enjoying the city's many artisanal dining and boutique shopping options, as well! WIN! If you get your Art Walk Passport stamped at each gallery, you can turn it in to one of the participating galleries for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate to be used at one of the 2023 Art Walk galleries! New for 2023! Unlock Art Walk Drink Specials! Show your Art Walk pass at Mare Island Brewing Co. and Cullen's Tannery Pub to receive the exclusive offers below. Mare Island Brewing Co. : $1 off any glass of Mare Island Winefitters wine, or draft Mare Island Brewing Co. beer Cullen's Tannery Pub : A unique $5 special cocktail for each Art Walk this summer Free Summer Fun Escaping the heat this summer just got a whole lot cooler. The event is free to the public, and there’s always plenty of free street parking nearby. If you’re not sure where to start, just look for the blue banners hanging in front of each gallery, or view the 2023 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map HERE .
Attention Art Lovers! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Enjoy the beautiful weather and explore the Benicia Art Walk . Celebrate one of the Bay Area’s most active art communities, and enjoy entertainment & live demonstrations at 8 galleries in downtown Benicia. When: July 8th, 12pm-4pm Where: First Street, Benicia Get directions Benicia Art Walk runs from 12pm-4pm , every second Saturday of June, July, September and October. We recommend arriving a bit early, giving yourself time to make a whole day enjoying the city's many artisanal dining and boutique shopping options, as well! WIN! If you get your Art Walk Passport stamped at each gallery, you can turn it in to one of the participating galleries for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate to be used at one of the 2023 Art Walk galleries! New for 2023! Unlock Art Walk Drink Specials! Show your Art Walk pass at Mare Island Brewing Co. and Cullen's Tannery Pub to receive the exclusive offers below. Mare Island Brewing Co. : $1 off any glass of Mare Island Winefitters wine, or draft Mare Island Brewing Co. beer Cullen's Tannery Pub : A unique $5 special cocktail for each Art Walk this summer Free Summer Fun Escaping the heat this summer just got a whole lot cooler. The event is free to the public, and there’s always plenty of free street parking nearby. If you’re not sure where to start, just look for the blue banners hanging in front of each gallery, or view the 2023 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map HERE . 
Attention Art Lovers! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Benicia Art Walk marks the city's first major public event of the year. Celebrate one of the Bay Area’s most active art communities, and enjoy entertainment & live demonstrations at 8 galleries in downtown Benicia. When: June 10th, 12pm-4pm Where: First Street, Benicia Get directions Benicia Art Walk runs from 12pm-4pm , every second Saturday of June, July, September and October. We recommend arriving a bit early, giving yourself time to make a whole day enjoying the city's many artisanal dining and boutique shopping options, as well! New for 2023! Unlock Art Walk Drink Specials! Show your Art Walk pass at Mare Island Brewing Co. and Cullen's Tannery Pub to receive the exclusive offers below. Mare Island Brewing Co. : $1 off any glass of Mare Island Winefitters wine, or draft Mare Island Brewing Co. beer Cullen's Tannery Pub : A unique $5 special cocktail for each Art Walk this summer Free Summer Fun Escaping the heat this summer just got a whole lot cooler. The event is free to the public, and there’s always plenty of free street parking nearby. If you’re not sure where to start, just look for the blue banners hanging in front of each gallery, or view the 2023 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map HERE .
