Emmy Burnett poses on Saturday, Sept. 25, with the Mr. Potato Head scarecrow outside of her mother Angela Burnett’s shop, The Mucky Duck, that was entered in The Village at Winona’s scarecrow contest. The Village had its annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, which marked the start of voting for the contest. InkFreeNews photos by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — When you’re a two-time winner of The Village at Winona’s scarecrow contest, you’ve got to bring your A-game to the next competition.

In The Mucky Duck’s case, that means Mr. Potato Head.

The shop’s scarecrow was one of many that people could see at The Village’s annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 25. The event included German cuisine, kids’ crafts and other activities.

Oktoberfest kicked off voting for the scarecrows exhibited by The Village’s shops and restaurants. People could vote using tickets, with their first one being free and the rest costing a $1.

Proceeds go to the Miller Sunset Pavilion ice rink project.

The Mucky Duck Owner Angela Burnett said her sister, Melanie Cameron, created the scarecrow after seeing a similar one in Michigan.

“She took it upon herself and did the whole thing,” said Burnett.

The scarecrow was interactive, allowing young and old to change out its face and hat.

“And so we won the last two years and so this year we had to step up our game a little,” said Burnett.

A Love For Porsches

Oktoberfest also included a Porsche car show.

Murray Bartel helped organize it. He’s the president of the Michiana Region of the Porsche Club of America.

“We like to let people see the different Porsches from the early models to the new stuff, answer any questions that people might have, (explain) why (we) drive a Porsche, you know some of the performance attributes of the cars and just the fact that we like them,” he said.

Bartel bought his first Porsche in 2004, which kicked off his passion for collecting them.

“I bought my first Porsche the same year I bought my first Harley,” he said. “I’ve owned 15 Porsches since. I’ve only had one Harley.”

Out of the three Porsches he currently owns, Bartel opted to bring his 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet Exclusive out Saturday.

“It was a very limited production. They only made 200 of it and this one’s No. 155,” he said. “I was able to order the car. I put every option on it that I wanted and it’s the only car that can be in that color because of the exclusive, the yellow-gold metallic is only for that exclusive brand.”

“It’s probably the newest one here so far and by far the fastest,” he added. “It’s a rocket.”

Porsche Club of America Michiana Region President Murray Bartel stands beside his car that he brought for Oktoberfest’s Porsche show. It’s a 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet Exclusive.

The Lake House in The Village at Winona opted to enter a kayaking scarecrow in the scarecrow competition.

Moxie Stage glues eyes on her owl craft Saturday. Oktoberfest featured several kids’ activities.

The Beaded Peacock drew inspiration from its name for its entry in the scarecrow contest.

A lineup of Porsches on display Saturday.

The Olive Branch opted for, of course, the “Popeye” character Olive Oyl as its scarecrow.

Cal Grandlienard enjoys a ride in the orbotron that Dick McCleary brought for Oktoberfest attendees to enjoy.

Cerulean restaurant featured a fishing scarecrow, which ties in with the seafood it serves on its menu.

Alice Neher works on painting an apple tree at Saturday’s event.