With the change in leaves comes many people searching for the perfect activities to add to their fall to-do lists. From fall festivals to spooky tours, here are some much needed local additions.
If you are looking for a way to celebrate the change in seasons with some fanfare, a fall festival is the perfect place to start. There are several fall festivals throughout the month of October, beginning this weekend with the Town of Tuxedo Annual Fall Festival at Powerhouse Park in Tuxedo, NY. The festival is about 20 minutes away from campus and will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. It will host live entertainment, craft vendors and fall activities such as ax throwing, pumpkin painting and more.
Similarly, if you are interested in attending a fall festival but are looking for something later in the season, the events taking place in Sugar Loaf, NY are for you. Sugar Loaf is just over 30 minutes away from campus and has events beginning this weekend with their scenic 5K run/walk on Saturday, Oct. 5. If this does not seem to be your speed, they are also hosting a fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Oct. 13.
Or, perhaps you are looking for something more Halloween themed, in which case their Halloween in the Hamlet events, spanning from Oct. 12 to Oct. 26, are right up your alley. To register for the 5K or find more information on all of these events in the Sugar Loaf Mountain area, visit the Sugar Loaf, NY website.
A different way to celebrate the season change is with a fun fall hike. If you are looking for a way to enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time with friends and family, a relaxing hike is a good option to explore. There are several different local hiking trails, including the Ramapo Valley County Reservation, across the road from campus, or Ramapo Lake Trailhead in Oakland, NJ, less than 15 minutes from campus.
Perhaps one of the most common fall activities on many people’s lists is visiting a local farm. Some options include Secor Farm less than 10 minutes away from campus, Demarest Farm 25 minutes away and Heaven Hill Farm which is about 40 minutes away. Each one is home to unique activities and is open at various times.
Secor Farm is perfect for fall photo shoots with its corn field, pumpkin patch and a large selection of mums. Demarest Farm has a Halloween Light Show where you can drive through a large festive light display. Heaven Hill Farm is hosting the Great Pumpkin Festival, which is running all throughout October and into the first weekend of November. This festival is fun for the whole family with activities such as pig races, stunt dog shows, apple cannons, a themed corn maze, carnival rides, baseball speed throw and more.
If you are interested in enjoying a new movie but still want to enjoy the outdoors or prefer to be in the comfort of your car, a drive-in theater is an amazing option. The Warwick Drive-in in Warwick, NY is about 40 minutes away from campus. This upcoming weekend the theater is playing “Joker: Folie à deux,” “The Wild Robot,” “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Trap,” “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Twisters.” To check running times and for availability, visit the Warwick Drive-in website.
For a more spooky option, a visit to Sleepy Hollow, New York is a great place to start. The town famous for its ghost stories and legends is only about 30 minutes away from campus and is hosting various events throughout the month of October. From the Sleepy Hollow Street Fair and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze to ghost tours and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Lantern Tour, Sleepy Hollow has it all.
squinn5@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of M.M, Pexels
