Groveland Twp.- Each fall for more than 10 years the friendly face of a 12-foot inflatable scarecrow sitting atop a bright orange pumpkin welcomed patrons to Oak Haven Farm, located at 7515 Grange Hall Road near Dixie Highway.
Yet when workers at the farm–which attracts about 4,000 to 6,000 students each year for autumn field trips–arrived to work on Sept. 22, the inflatable scarecrow and pumpkin were missing.
‘The scarecrow and pumpkin are part of the farm and provide a friendly look,? said Laura Elmore, Oak Haven Farm worker.
Owner Nick Nichols purchased the inflatable scarecrow and pumpkin about 10 years ago from the Michigan Department of Agriculture at a cost of several thousand dollars, said Elmore.
‘There’s nothing scary here, no witches, no one jumping out’the kids respond to that. We just want our scarecrow and pumpkin back.?
A replacement inflatable was donated by Sam’s Club on Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills.
Oak Haven Farm is offering a $500 reward. State police continue to investigate the missing inflatable. Anyone with information may call the farm at (248) 634-5437 or the state police at (248) 634-4882.
As of Thursday, police had one lead in the investigation.