A Grade 7 student from Meaford has earned the Ontario Library Research Award for her presentation during the Grey Roots Regional Heritage Fair.
Dana Tulloch went directly to the source when she was researching how the Meaford Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival began and how it evolved into an award-winning event recognized throughout Ontario.
The 12-year-old from Georgian Bay Secondary School was commended by the Heritage Fair adjudicators for her initiative in searching out first-hand sources, and for rounding out her presentation with the invasion’s larger-than-life mascot Sam.
"The invasion’s head scarecrow, Marilyn Morris, gave me the main history of the invasion, how it started and some fun facts such as the scarecrow kazoo band, the town’s attempt to set a Guinness World Record with the most scarecrows, and the OPP Golden Helmets’ pre-parade shows," Dana said. "She told me about the challenges that the invasion executive and volunteers face and their mandate and goals."
Morris is proud of Dana’s achievement.
"Like the event itself, Dana is a ‘made-in-Meaford’ girl," she says. "It’s most gratifying to have young people who have grown up with our scarecrows truly interested and involved in the event’s success."