The Bettendorf Family Museum has hosted many events throughout the years for holidays and special occasions. Their fall event, Scarecrow Shenanigans, took place this Sunday and brought the community together for a day of fun.
In its 37th year, Scarecrow Shenanigans is a popular one-day event that attracts people from all over Bettendorf. Pumpkins, leaves, Halloween creatures and, of course, scarecrows deck the halls of the Family Museum each year. The decorations help to embody the spirit of the fall season and provide a warm atmosphere where locals can gather.
On Sunday, the Family Museum hosted numerous activities throughout their building. Tables of crafts and games were set up in the galleries and the Great Hall. Families and kids dressed in Halloween costumes decorated mini pumpkins in the Celebration room, played games in the dance studios, made paper bag owls in the Imagination Studio and participated in a museum wide scavenger hunt.
Museum staff and volunteers, likewise dressed for the festivities, facilitated the day and manned all the activity stations. Many hands were needed to make each museum event a success. Museum coordinator Alley Sweeney expressed her gratitude for the help. “Volunteers are the heart and soul of our events. Honestly, without them, we wouldn’t get to do the events at the scale we do them currently,” Sweeney said.
Students often fill the roles of volunteers at special events or on ordinary days; the museum always appreciates more volunteers whenever they may come.
In addition to the ongoing activities throughout the day, the Family Museum Dance Company performed twice for the guests. Their dances were Toy Story themed and featured Woody, Bo Peep, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear in three high energy routines.
Company member Addie Judd has noticed how the day’s atmosphere is positively affected by the performances. “Kids and parents alike love the FMDC performances! There are always so many smiling faces in the audience as we perform, and I know the kids enjoy seeing their favorite movie characters in real life,” Judd stated.
FMDC performances are a crowd favorite, and this year’s Toy Story performances garnered a chorus of cheers from kids and parents in the audience.
Many of the company’s members are older students who have community connections which can help them interact with kids and parents at the museum’s events. “With the museum’s events, the FMDC members get to play and talk with people of all ages like toddlers, kids, parents and grandparents,” Judd explained.
Community members from all over come to the Family Museum to participate in the day of shenanigans, and the museum staff were pleased with the successful turnout.
