Scarecrows in the Garden on display in Dothan

There are funny scarecrows and scary scarecrows. Some pay tribute to movie or television characters. A couple even play off the swine flu. And at least one reaffirms life’s two certainties — death and taxes.

The asphalt walking trail at Dothan Area Botanical Gardens is once again lined with scarecrows built with PVC pipes, buckets, gourds and even pool floats. This is the fifth year for Scarecrows in Garden. Residents were invited to build scarecrows for a competition judged by local political and community leaders. Winners and honorable mentions were named in six categories.

“It was a good mix of families, businesses and different clubs and organizations,” said Larry Dykes, chairman of the DABG’s scarecrow committee.

The 45 scarecrows will remain on display through the end of the month. The Dothan Area Botanical Gardens is located at 5130 Headland Ave. in Dothan. Admission is free, and the gardens are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.