The City of Sharon has officially began its first annual Sharon City Scarecrow Display Contest on Tuesday.

The contest runs from Tuesday, October 17 until Halloween on October 31 and will act as an interactive way to encourage visitors to come to the city and promote the business community as they celebrate Halloween.

Over 20 Sharon businesses will be participating in the contest. Each one will feature a scarecrow display either outside their business or in the front window for two weeks.

Voters can vote for their favorite by scanning a QR code on posters displayed at the businesses. The businesses will also have paper ballots available, which can be filled out and turned into the respective business.

The scarecrows will come in a variety of themes depending on which business you visit. For example, ICG Hobbies and Games' scarecrow is based off of The Mimic from Dungeons & Dragons or Cycle Life Studio's scarecrow makes use of a bicycle to recreate the iconic shot from the movie "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial."

Below is a complete list of participating businesses:

- The Buhl Club

- Covenant Presbyterian Church

- Hope Center for Arts & Technology

- Firebean Espresso Coffee Shop

- Kerr's Insurance

- Rachel's Tumbling and Cheer

- The Thrift Room

- Susie's Home Decor & More

- Unwind Day Spa

- Cycle Life Studio

- Mergl Law Offices

- PA CareerLink office in Sharon

- Just About Hair

- ICG Hobbies and Games

- Gilbert's Risk Solutions

- Custom Tees

- Ivan's Autobody and Repair

- The Block by Nova Destinations

- Penn State Shenango

- Quaker Steak & Lube

- Laddie's Sky Club

- The Wandering Soul Books, Gifts & Furniture

- Dave Pegg's Barbering and Shave Parlor

- Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County

- Beth's Secondhand Store

The winning business will be announced Halloween night and will receive a $200 gift card to a Sharon business of their choice. Additionally, the city will purchase four $25 gift cards for the winning business to give out on Small Business Saturday on November 25.

"We just saw this as an opportunity to promote our business community as well as provide a family-friendly outing for the month of October," said Sharon Director of Downtown Development Sherris Moreira.