Breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel! will be among the main charities supported by this year’s Hickling Scarecrow Festival, which takes place next weekend.
The popular village event returns from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, with two days of scarecrow displays, entertainment, stalls and family activities.
CoppaFeel! works to educate young people about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and encourages people to check their chests regularly so they become familiar with what is normal for them.
The charity was founded by Kris Hallenga after she received a terminal breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 23, having previously been told she was too young to have the disease.
Around one in seven women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, while approximately 2,500 people aged under 40 and around 400 men are diagnosed each year.
Organisers said money raised at the festival would help CoppaFeel! continue delivering its awareness message in universities, workplaces and secondary schools, through healthcare professionals and online.
Maggie’s Nottingham, which provides practical and emotional support to people with cancer and their families from its centre at Nottingham City Hospital, is also among the principal charities being supported. Proceeds will additionally benefit causes within Hickling.
This year’s scarecrow competition has the theme “H is for Hickling”, with entries representing something beginning with the letter H and connected with the village. Visitors will be able to follow the scarecrow trail throughout the weekend, with judging due to take place on Sunday.
A dog show will be held on Saturday, followed by a Guide Dogs display on Sunday. Other attractions planned across the weekend include street theatre, a magician, Morris dancing, an assault course, military vehicles, a traction engine and vintage tractors.
A Battle of Britain fly-past is also planned for Sunday, subject to suitable weather conditions.
Stalls will be open on both days, alongside food, refreshments and activities at Hickling Village Hall, the village church and other locations around the village.
Last year’s festival featured between 60 and 80 scarecrows, with more than 90 pictures from Hickling Scarecrow Festival 2025 showing entries based on its Nursery Rhymes and Story Time theme.
For safety reasons, visitors will not be permitted to park on streets or lanes within Hickling. Designated car parks, including disabled parking provision, will be available at the entrances to the village for £5 per car.
