More Fall Festivals: Farm Edition

The drought is probably going to reduce Kentucky's usual fall color in October from spectacular to merely fabulous, but that's no reason to miss the many outdoor events held across the state.

Kentucky's Department of Agriculture is promoting Kentucky's farms this fall - and that means much more than pick-your-own pumpkins.

Kentuckians looking for some outdoor fun can take a trip to Oz, step into the past, test their skills in a corn maze, pick out a pumpkin and much more at farm destinations throughout the Commonwealth in October.

“Kentucky farms are fun, never more than in October,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “I encourage all Kentuckians to get out and enjoy the festivities, the mild temperatures, the great Kentucky Proud food and the fall foliage at the peak of its beauty.”

Fall festivals are also at their peak across Kentucky during October. Examples include:

· Lee’s Garden Center in LaRue County will celebrate its fifth anniversary by transforming into the Land of Oz for the entire month of October. Experience Dorothy, the Wizard, Scarecrow Mountain, a storm machine and Wizard’s Theater. Animals include donkeys, cows, goats and sheep. Visit www.leesgardencenter.com/wizard.htm.

· Reed Valley Orchard’s Country Festival and Back Forty Nature Walk is Oct. 4 in Paris. Pick apples and pears, walk a nature trail and an old stagecoach road, and visit the former campsite of notorious outlaws Frank and Jesse James. Enjoy oven-fried pies, fruit slushies and ice cream made with fruits from the farm, crafts and food booths, and entertainment by local musicians. Visit www.reedvalleyorchard.com/CountryFestival.htm.

· Beech Springs Farm’s Scarecrow Festival is Oct. 4 in Winchester. There will be traditional scarecrows, whimsical scarecrows and celebrity scarecrows, all of which will be auctioned off at 3 p.m. Enjoy music, food, face painting and pumpkin decorating. Visit www.tourwinchester.com/festivals.html#scarecrow.

· Magee’s Bakery’s Transparent Pie Day is Oct. 4 in Maysville. Participate in a pie-eating contest, watch baking demonstrations, view one of the oldest working farm buildings in Kentucky and go on a horse-drawn wagon or hay ride. Visit www.mageesbakeryfarm.com.

· Boyd Orchard near Versailles will host festivals every weekend in October and a Harvest Festival Nov. 1-2. Boyd Orchard offers a full restaurant, gift shop, large playground, hay rides, animal display center, corn maze and pony rides. Visit www.boydorchards.com.

· “R” Farm Pumpkins and More’s 10th Annual Pumpkinfest is Oct. 4-5. The Maysville attraction will host a haunted corn maze Oct. 24-25. The 130-acre working farm features horse-drawn wagon rides, a corn maze, live entertainment, craft vendors, live demonstrations and pumpkins you can pick. Visit www.r-farm.com.

· Benton Farms’ Pumpkin Days are weekends Oct. 4-26 in Walton. Visit www.kyagr.com/bentonfarms.htm.

· Jackson’s Orchard’s Fall Festival is weekends Oct. 4-26 in Bowling Green. Visit www.jacksonsorchard.com.

· Bramble Ridge Orchard’s Copper Kettle Apple Butter Festival is Oct. 11 in Mount Sterling. Activities include Kentucky's largest apple slingshot, wagon rides, an observation beehive and a rope maze. Visit www.brambleridgeorchard.com.

· Hinton’s Orchard and Farm Market’s PumpkinFest is weekends beginning Oct. 11-12 in Hodgenville. Visit www.hintonsorchard.com.

· Shaker Museum at South Union’s Farm Day is Oct. 18. Interact with living history demonstrations and activities of Shaker farm chores. Admission is $7 for adults and $2 for children. Visit www.shakermuseum.com.

· The Christian Way Farm Harvest Praise concert is Oct. 18 near Hopkinsville. Cost is $5 per person and free for children under 2 years old. Visit www.christianwayfarm.com.

· Go to Whispering Woods Farm near Georgetown on Oct. 24-25 and take the Twisted Trail of Terror and the ghostly hay ride – if you dare. Visit www.whisperingwoodstrails.com.

To find out more about Kentucky agritourism and fall farm fun activities, go to www.kentuckyfarmsarefun.com.

Cross-posted at BlueGrassRoots.