Local straw art display features out-of-this-world theme
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IDAHO FALLS — A few miles south of Sunnyside and Hitt Road in Idaho Falls, a farming community came together to create a one-of-a-kind art display with straw bales.
Darla Hoff, a member of the community, says this is an annual tradition that began eight years ago as an advertising gimmick to sell pumpkins from her pumpkin patch.
Hoff was the artistic designer behind Straw Wars, this year’s “Star Wars” themed attraction.
Hoff, who has no formal artistic training, tells EastIdahoNews.com she used spray paint to draw these familiar “Star Wars” characters using only pictures she found on the internet.
“I pulled up about 20 different pictures of Yoda on my phone and freehand (drew) it,” Hoff says. “We just look for something that lends itself to a circle, like a minion.”
Hoff and her neighbors featured the minions, as seen in the movie “Despicable Me,” in a display several years ago.
Hoff says last year’s art display taught them something that adds to the uniqueness of Straw Wars.
“We painted a bear. That was cool because it was the first time we ever went three (bales) high. It held really well for a whole year. So that’s why Darth (Vader) is three bales high this year.”
Hoff doesn’t sell pumpkins anymore, but these yearly art displays continue to attract a crowd.
Al and Karen Goldman own the property where the straw art sits. We reached out to them for comment but have not received a response. However, Hoff tells us the Goldman’s favorite part of the straw art is seeing all the people come and take pictures.
“People who drive by seem to get a kick out of it,” Al Goldman stated in an article for “Country” magazine.
The Goldman’s plan to keep the straw artwork on display at their property until next year. They look forward to collaborating with their neighbors for next year’s theme.