Our 2026 Hay Bale Decorating Contest is now open for entries, welcoming individuals and groups to participate in this exciting family-friendly event! Please submit your entry form by September 5, 2026, using the online form provided below. Keep in mind that the hay bale contest is limited to the first 20 entries.
Winners will be announced on November 1, 2026, and participants do not need to be present to win.
Who are the judges?
The decorated hay bales will be displayed along the hayride route, and guests will receive admission tickets to cast their votes. The hay bale with the most tickets will be declared the winner.
Circle D Funny Farms reserves the right to reject any hay bale entries that are not suitable for all age groups, so please remember—no evil entries!
Bales can be positioned lying on their side or standing erect. The hay bales approximate measurements are: 4 1/2 ft. long (or tall, if standing), with a circumference of 4 ft., and a height of 4 ft. For safety reasons, bales will not be stacked. Note that some bale locations may be on hard surfaces rather than grass. DO NOT PUNCTURE THE BALE WRAP (these bales are donated and will be returned to the farm to be used as feed). Tape is permitted to attach items to the bale, while non-toxic paint may be applied to the hay bale but not to the surrounding grass. Be sure to decorate your bales with clean, wholesome ideas—no vulgar or suggestive decorations allowed!
Individuals and groups may begin decorating their bales on September 17, and must complete their designs by 8:00 PM on Thursday, September 17 . It is the responsibility of each group to remove their decorations after the fair; any items not collected by 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 2, will be discarded.
You provide all decorations and paint, while we provide the hay bale!
You can email or mail your form using the information below:
E-mail: circledfunnyfarm@gmail.com
Mail: Circle D Funny Farm, 11384 Hwy 222, Malvern, AR 72104
Registration - Please Print Clearly
Circle D Funny Farm will not be liable for any injuries, damages, or missing items related to the 2025 Hay Bale Decorating Contest. Entrants are responsible for retrieving any items from their displays that they wish to keep during the designated pick-up time. By participating, entrants agree that Circle D Funny Farm may use photographs, stories, and information from the entry form for promotional purposes related to this family-friendly event. Employees of Circle D Funny Farm, their families, affiliates, vendors, and advertising representatives are not eligible to participate in the contest, which also includes the Pumpkin Patch activities. Circle D Funny Farm reserves the right to exclude any entry deemed offensive in terms of race, gender, or religion. For more information, please call Amy at 501-304-3369 or visit https://circledfunnyfarm.com/scarecrow-contest.
