With fall in full swing and Halloween approaching, locals are embracing the season of crunchy, colourful leaves and spooky outdoor decor.

Along with the return on the coveted Pumpkin Spice Latte, Kelownians are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Uptown Rutland Business Association’s annual Scarecrow Festival.

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However, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone more ridden with excitement than 20-year-old Isaiah Fransen.

You may recognize him from the 2017 festival’s pre-made scarecrow competition, where Fransen’s impressive creation, modeled after video game character Cloud Strife, took home first place.

Photo credit: NowMediaIsaiah's 2017 scarecrow

“I think I actually cried,” said Isaiah’s mother, Caroline Fransen, reminiscing on her son’s win. Isaiah was diagnosed with Autism early on in his adolescence and according to Caroline things haven't always been easy for him. 

“He has gone through some really really hard times and now he is doing so much better, so to see him out doing things you never thought were going to happen, is just great."

According to Caroline, the celebration was quite the sight to see. “He was so excited, he shouted out ‘I won!’ and jumped in the air, he also got a photo with the mayor and the Ladies of the Lake.”

Photo credit: NowMediaIsaiah and his 2017 award

Now with a win and two years experience under his belt, Isaiah is gearing up to debut his latest creation at the event next weekend.

“I’ve done it two years so far, the first year we built one on-site, called Fat John. We didn’t win, but it was pretty cool and it kind of got me hooked,” said Isaiah.

After seeing a Shrek character the first year he attended, and being impressed by all the other creations, Isaiah concluded his love of video games would be a natural choice for inspiration.

Photo credit: NowMediaWork in progress, Isaiah is getting his new creation all ready for the big event

Although Isaiah has asked to keep the name of his inspiration for this year’s event under wraps, we can tell you that it will indeed be a sight to see.

Like any art director, Isaiah has enlisted a creative team to help bring his vision to life with assistance from his mother and aunt, who are working diligently making almost all the accessories from scratch.

“He is the design guy, we ask him every once in a while how it looks and he helps stuff the hay or straw and guides us along,” said Caroline.

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Isaiah may have been going for gold last year, however, he is hoping someone else will have the opportunity to bask in the glory this year.

“It was pretty cool to win but I’m hoping I don’t win again this year. I hope to get second or else people are going to think it is rigged!” he laughed.

Aside from attending for the competition, Caroline says the Fransen’s like the fun, community atmosphere provided by the festival, which also boasts live music, a mini vendors village, various autumnal activities, food and more.

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“I like doing it because it is just fun to do, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to build scarecrows almost every year,  I think its exciting and really awesome that everyone participates in an event like this,” said Isaiah.

The URBA Scarecrow Festival returns to Lion’s Park on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is free for anyone to attend. Don’t miss out on your chance to see Isaiah’s latest creation along with the many other spooky scarecrows.

Photo credit: NowMedia