By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team Compilation & Report

The Straw Scarecrow Art Festival uses local specialty events to market Taiwan Japonica No. 9 rice. Zeng Zhaoying, General Manager of the Tianzhong Farmers' Association, said that the straw scarecrow festival was held on December 19 and 20 at Wanggaoliao in Dingtanli, Tianzhong, to promote the local rice brand and establish the image of high-quality Tianzhong rice. The event featured a 4-meter-tall scarecrow creation titled "Old Farmer Leading Young Farmer," symbolizing agricultural heritage, as well as figures of the God of Wealth, the Earth God, the Earth Goddess, and various cute straw scarecrows. There was also a straw maze, along with sales of local agricultural specialties, performances by quality local groups, tastings of livestock and agricultural products, policy promotion, and fun challenge games with giveaways—making for a rich and exciting program.

Tianzhong has been gaining quite a reputation lately—not only were registrations for the Tianzhong Marathon snapped up instantly, but the recently concluded Mud Sculpture Art Festival also generated huge buzz before it even began. This year’s Straw Scarecrow Art Festival, held in Tianzhong, the hometown of rice, is also full of talking points and local character. Coupled with nearby events such as the Running Water Festival in Ershui, the Satai Sock and Guava Festival, as well as the future "Forest of Clear Water" development project at Qingshuiyan, which will invest 200 million NTD, and with the opening of the Changhua High-Speed Rail Station, the southeastern corner of Changhua has become even more lively.

Another theme of the event is the "Tianzhong Rice Creative Bento Competition," inviting high school, vocational school, and university students to participate. The competition selects the champion creative bento for next year’s “Tianzhong Rice Le” campaign, aiming to become an annual specialty product of Tianzhong Township, adding to the event’s appeal. A wide range of agricultural specialties are also available for visitors to purchase.
　　
[Info]
2015 Tianzhong Straw Scarecrow Art Festival
Event Dates: December 19–20, 2015
Venue: Wanggaoliao, Pinghe Li, Tianzhong Township
Highlights: First 500 visitors each day receive a rice tasting voucher; various children’s game challenges with prizes; free tastings of leafy vegetable chicken and salted vegetable duck; straw maze — parent-child activities and receiving lucky rice, plus displays and sales of local agricultural specialties.
Shuttle Bus Info: On December 19 and 20, buses depart from the train station at around 8:00 AM, running approximately every half hour, making round trips between the start and end stations. Services run until 4:00 PM on the 19th and until 2:00 PM on the 20th.
Organizers: Tianzhong Township Farmers' Association
 

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