The Campus Square in downtown Mt. Morris has five new creations posed and ready for judging in the 11th annual U.S. National Straw Sculpting Competition.

Five entries are positioned along Wesley Avenue as part of the annual event that culminates Aug. 22 with a full day of events.

But visitors can come see the creations this week and cast their votes for their favorite.

Straw creations this year are:

  • “Wellers Woods Gnome” by Chris and Cecilia Mann of Rockford
  • “Mother Earth” by Steve Lentz of Montello, Wisconsin
  • “Hay-Land Coo” by Doreen Hartman of Mt. Morris
  • “The Tree of Life” by Bobbi Hanna, Fran Volz, Kelsey, Godsden, Oren, Ronan of Oregon
  • “Mt. Cheddarest” (In the Swiss Alps) by Danica and Mark Rogers of Rochelle

Visitors can vote for their favorite this week up until 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.

“Hay-Land Coo” by Doreen Hartman, of Mt. Morris, is one of five straw sculptures that members of the public can vote on at the U.S. National Straw Sculpting Competition in Mt. Morris. The winners of this year’s competition will be announced at the conclusion of StrawFest 2026 on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (Earleen Hinton)

Saturday’s events include a 5K, live music, the straw bale race, and the announcement of the winners of the 2026 competition.

Proceeds from the 5K race will be used to benefit Encore and the Oregon High School cross country team.

The straw bale race pits two-person teams (ages high school and above) in a timed race to see who can roll the 700-pound bale down Wesley Avenue the fastest. The winning team will receive $50 cash.

Saturday’s schedule

8 to 10 a.m.: StrawFest Strut 5K (first annual)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Blacksmith demonstrations

10 a.m to 7 p.m.: Mechanical bull rides

Noon to 2 p.m.: Kids’ games and Straw Art & Crafts

12:30 to 2 p.m.: Straw Jam Music

2 to 3 p.m.: Straw Bale Street Races (registration at 1:30 p.m.)

2 to 4 p.m.: Historical Museum and Encore! Art Gallery

3 to 4:30 p.m.: Straw Jam Music

3 to 5 p.m.: Kids’ games and Straw Art & Crafts

4 p.m.: Straw voting ends

5 to 6:30 p.m.: Straw Jam Music

6:30 to 9 p.m.: Historical Museum and Encore! Art Gallery

6:55 p.m.: Straw sculpting awards announced

7 to 9 p.m.: Grass Attack (bluegrass) at the bandshell

Prizes

The sculptures are composed of at least 90% straw on the surface. Minimal spray paint is allowed for highlights or shadowing.

They must be at least 6 feet, 6 inches in height, in length, or in width and constructed to withstand high winds and rain.

Cash prizes are awarded to winners of the public voting and artist voting.

The sculptures become property of ENCORE! Mt. Morris if the cash award is accepted by the artist.

The U.S. National Straw Sculpting Competition started in Rochelle in 2016, after artist Fran Volz of Rochelle visited the small village of Höchenschwand, Germany, which hosts an annual straw-sculpting competition that draws thousands of visitors.

The event moved to Mt. Morris in 2017, where it is hosted by Encore! Mt. Morris.