Fall Is For Festivals
As the temperatures cool when the seasons change from summer to fall, festivals begin to heat up across the country. There are many themes for these events and they can be enjoyed by everyone.
We have experienced several fall festivals and the common denominator is food and the celebration of the new harvest season. Each one of the events listed below is like a holiday for that particular unique theme. Not all of these are a festival per say, but they very much are a fun family fall activity. For those not interested in reading through the entire article, the festivals in this post are for California, Ohio, and Kentucky. There are many more than what this article showcases so grab a jacket, put some cash in your pocket, and load the family up because fall is for festivals so get out there and find one!
California
Cool Patch Pumpkins
If corn mazes are up your alley, Dixon, California boasts a labyrinth so extensive, the world record has been set here on several occasions. With recent editions exceeding 60 acres, you will be challenged within the maze of maize. My wife and I have completed this a few times and my biggest tip is use the provided map and allow someone who is good at both route finding and attention to detail to call the shots. Prepare yourself for a journey through the stalks which might just last several hours if you're prone to getting lost.
The name says pumpkins so what about the pumpkins? Cool Patch has you covered with more than 50 varieties in the you pick patch!
How to Get There
Located right off of I-80 in Dixon, CA, it is a convenient stop less than a half hour southwest of Sacramento.
A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/vhqDX2NxwWjdAy459
For the 2024 season, the farm is open everyday from September 21 to October 31st, 9a to 8p. However, for maze goers, the place is open until 10p if you prefer to accomplish it in the dark. Just note that Bigfoot sweeps the maze at 9:59 so be sure to be out of there beforehand because you don't want to meet him! Tickets to the maze are free for children 5 and under while 6 and older are $22.
Lastly, $5 hayrides, kids play area, and weekend concessions round out the activity list giving families an excuse to come back year after year.
Website - https://www.coolpatchpumpkins.com/
Kentucky
Kentucky Wool Festival
October 4 - 6, 2024
Deep in the heart of the Bluegrass State, it's all about the sheep. Don't be baa-shful about the drive as ewe don't want to miss out. This has always been one of my wife's favorite festivals.
Nestled in a small valley next door to Kincaid State Park is where you'll find a bustle of sheep loving fans enjoying live bluegrass music, sheep dog and shearing demonstrations, chainsaw carving, over 100 craft vendors, and much more. Dozens of food vendors abound and you can even wash it down with the local beverage of choice, Ale-8-One.
Be sure to arrive early as parking is limited and long lines to park are common once the main area fills up. Free shuttles are available as well for those who'd rather skip the wait and park at the high school up the road.
How to Get There
About 45 minutes south of Cincinnati and 70 minutes north of Lexington, you'll drive along many windy and hilly roads down by Falmouth, KY to get here so take your time and enjoy the scenery.
A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/abPkuaB1a3sv18ig9
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for 7-18, and free for children 6 and under.
Website - https://www.kywoolfest.org/
Evans Orchard and Cider Mill
Photo credit: evansorchard.com
What's another favorite fall activity? Apple picking! Evans Orchard has you covered with a truly extensive apple orchard. Depending on when you go during the season, they have nearly 2 dozen different apple varieties that'll satisfy everyone's taste buds. These are you pick so come for the experience!
Outside of apples, they have other fruits to pick throughout the year. During the fall you can expect pumpkins here as well.
After the kids are done ripping fruit off of the trees, head on over to the huge play area and petting zoo. Admission varies considerably so I will refer you to their website below for further details.
You can fill up on fresh cider, baked goods, and various other food options at the Sweet Apple Cafe as well as bring goodies home from the gift shop. They also generally have a kettle corn vendor outside making fresh batches of the good stuff.
How to Get There
Evans Orchard and Cider Mill is located just east of Georgetown, KY and about 20 minutes north of Lexington.
A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/9f9AqzjvgLkjATwT6
Their Harvest Festival event runs from September 14th through November 3rd. They are closed Monday, open 9 to 5 Tuesday through Friday, 9 to 6 on Saturday, and 12 to 6 on Sunday.
Website - https://evansorchard.com/
Ohio
Preble County Pork Festival
Photo credit: cincinnatimagazine.com
September 21 - 22, 2024
For over 50 years, the town of Eaton, OH has been serving the local community a ton of pork. The smell of bacon, bbq, and porkchops fill the air and the natives can't resist. We have attended this festival several times and it's always a good experience.
There is pork this and pork that. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There literally is no excuse to leave hungry. For years, the big drawl was The Chop Shop which was a fantastic value in both quantity and quality for the price. It was so popular that the line could be as much as an hour long. Sadly, they are no longer serving their 2 inch thick chops as they are not at the festival anymore. It was replaced with a smorgasbord which we have not partaken in yet. Outside of that they have many other pork vendors scattered about the grounds.
Typical of festivals, hundreds of craft vendors line the walkways so there is plenty to look at and the highlight of the kid's area are the piglet races.
How to Get There
The Preble County Pork Festival is located at the Preble County Fairgrounds in Eaton, OH which is in between Dayton, OH and Richmond, IN.
A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/wH8Cmhq5syMRfMWh9
Parking and admission is free, giving you more money to blow on bacon and chops. For the most part, food isn't outrageously priced either.
The festival always takes place the 3rd full weekend of September each year. Breakfast begins bright and early at 6:30a on both Saturday and Sunday with the festival closing at 7p and 5p respectively.
Website - https://www.porkfestival.org/
America's Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
Photo credit: cincinnatirefined.com
September 19 - 22, 2024
Cincinnati has held the largest Oktoberfest outside of the big one in Munich, Germany for decades. Having attracted nearly 1 million attendees in the past, this is a major event. Cincinnati is rich in German culture so it should come as no surprise that such an event exists here. It's time to break out your lederhosen or dirndls and party it up with Germans and non-Germans alike. Polka music, live entertainment, incredible German foods such as sauerkraut balls, potato pancakes, cream puffs, and much, much more will make for a fun experience and of course Oktoberfest wouldn't be complete without beer. This event is large enough to attract people from everywhere so don't be ashamed to come for Oktoberfest and stay for Cincinnati's many other sights and experiences!
How to Get There
Ground zero for the festivities are in and around Sawyer Point Park along the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati. The park in general is a great place to soak in the cityscape and riverfront views while chowing down on bratwurst and schnitzel. You are in the heart of the city here so there are plenty of options for things to do on either side of the river once you've had your fill of the exuberant Bavarian atmosphere.
A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/phEeAureHQhFqm4r8
Admission is free, but you will likely have to pay for parking in any of the nearby lots or streets. The website will have better details on best parking or public transit choices.
Website - https://oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival
Photo credit: sauerkrautfestival.waynesvilleohio.com
October 12-13, 2024 (second full weekend of October)
If you thought those partying Germans wouldn't spill into other nearby areas you are sorely mistaken. While this festival might be close to an hour north of Cincinnati, the kraut is strong here as well with a 2 day event attracting up to around 350,000 people. Have you ever had a hankering for sauerkraut brownies, cookies, and cakes? Not that adventurous? More traditional items like bratwurst with a mound of kraut are available too and if sauerkraut isn't your thing, there are plenty of other "normal" foods to keep everyone happy. Over 400 craft vendors from around the country descend on the town for the event giving visitors more to browse. This festival isn't so much of a German event as it is the celebration of all things sauerkraut so it's quite a bit less boisterous. You likely won't see German clothing or hear polka music here, but sauerkraut lover or not, it's worth a trip.
How to Get There
The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival is located in the small farm town of Waynesville, OH which is in between Cincinnati and Dayton. Nearby Caesar Creek State Park offers another opportunity for exploration if you choose to make a day of it.
A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/CRgG9KUK4q9evqVu7
Admission and parking is free.
Website - https://sauerkrautfestival.waynesvilleohio.com/
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Photo credit: ohiofestivals.net
October 16 - 19, 2024
It's now time to celebrate the big orange gourd in huge fashion with the Circleville Pumpkin Show in Circleville, OH. This event is packed with 4 days worth of parades, live entertainment, pumpkin carving, art shows, pie eating contest, 5K race, largest pumpkin contest, and they even crown the Miss Pumpkin for the year. This is yet another major festival drawing in hundreds of thousands of attendees over the course of the entirety of the event.
The largest pumpkin contest is truly something to witness as growers bring in some gargantuan entries. Well over 1000 pounds is commonplace and in 2023, a new Ohio state record was achieved by Bob and Jo Liggett with their 2,388.5 pound behemoth! Speaking of huge, Lindsey's Bakery shows off their 14 foot diameter pumpkin pie in the window! There really is a ton to experience and not all events occur every day. In addition to all of the previously mentioned excitement, rides, craft vendors, and pumpkin themed food is in high demand. Whether you are looking for something normal like pumpkin donuts and pie or prefer to venture out with offerings such as pumpkin chili and bbq, you'll have plenty to try so don't be shy!
How to Get There
Circleville, OH is located about 35 minutes south of Columbus out in farm town USA. It's sort of like an island out here, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The whole town joins forces and puts on an incredible festival year after year.
A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/tEm7aMTbCKbCXU4X8
Admission is free, but keep in mind that while parking can be found for free with some luck, a lot of local businesses use this opportunity to charge some sort of fee to park in their lot.
Website - https://www.pumpkinshow.com/
Brown's Family Farm Market
September 14-15 and every weekend through October
This has been a family favorite to bring the kids for several years now. Lots of cheap or inexpensive activities for younger children to enjoy wrapped up in a great rural atmosphere. You will find farm animals to check out, a play area, barrel tractor rides, a very basic corn maze, pumpkin patch, and a mini town that children can actually go inside the buildings and play. The market on the grounds provides a means to bring goodies back home with you and generally a food truck or two is onsite.
How to Get There
Brown's Family Farm is located just northwest of Cincinnati making for a very easy trip from that area.
A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/NraPsiAZjSJPQew3A
Both admission and parking is free and the majority of activities are free as well. Only hayrides and barrel tractor rides have a cost and those are very affordable.
Website - https://brownsfarmmarket.com/
Conclusion
Thus concludes a list of just a handful of festivals and fall activities in California, Kentucky, and Ohio. There really is something going on every weekend no matter where you live in the US so get out there and explore!
As always, B.E. Adventurous!