PORT ORCHARD — Signaling that Halloween is creeping up, the Port Orchard Bay Street Association is spreading the word that its third annual scarecrow contest is coming up in mid-October.

Coreen Haydock of POBSA said the contest is open to businesses, individuals, families, organizations and groups to participate. There is no fee to take part in the fun, she said.

Entries will be accepted and displayed at the Port Orchard Market on Bay Street in downtown Port Orchard, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Oct. 15-23. An awards ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the public market.

Haydock said entries must be appropriate for a community and family event and not include political or gory content. The contest categories are: traditional (dressed in old farm clothes, for example); open (humorous, scary or creative); youth (open for entrants under 14 who can receive adult assistance); and business/nonprofit (open, 11×17-inch advertising allowed as part of the display). Entries should be sturdy and freestanding, and can be as large as 3 feet wide and 8 feet high.

Registration can be conducted online at www.popsa.com or by the registration form, which can be picked up at Leanna’s Art & Coffee, Port Orchard Library, Sue’s Fresh Juice Bar & Sandwich Shop or Sidney Art Gallery and Museum.

For more information, email the sponsors at popsainfo@gmail.com or popublicmarket@gmail.com.