CENTRE COUNTY — Fall is a magical time of year — the crisp air, pumpkin spice everything and ridges bursting with colorful foliage. In Happy Valley, the changing seasons mean two things: the welcome return of Penn State football and fall festival and event season!
Throughout September and October, there are abundant opportunities to celebrate the harvest with family and friends. Let’s go!
Way Fruit Farm
Way Fruit Farm is bustling with activity in September and October. The fun starts Sept. 13 with a Cruise In Car Show, followed by First Responders Day weekend on Sept. 19 and 20. Next up is History Demonstration Day weekend on Sept. 26 and 27. October kicks off with the Harvest Craft Show Oct. 3 and 4, followed by the popular Everything Pumpkin event featuring a professional pumpkin carver. More fun on the farm happens Oct. 17 and 18, with the last chance to enjoy the pumpkin patch on Oct. 24 and 25. All events feature mouth-watering food, live music and entertainment. Check out the new corn maze!
Rooted Farmstead
Rooted Farmstead’s largest seasonal market is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. The event features vendors, food, live local music, pumpkins, and course, flowers. Also in September, the Bellefonte flower farm offers on-the-farm sunset flower arranging workshops every other Thursday. Attendees can design seasonal arrangements among the blooms during golden hour. Kid’s Flower Workshops are held every other Saturday morning. The themed workshops provide hands-on floral fun for kids 4+. Can’t get to the farm? Rooted Farmstead’s Calder Way Pop Up Shop is open until the end of October, with floral workshops and mini workshops offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Rootedfarmstead.com.
Wasson Farm Market
Wasson Farm’s 25th Annual Fall Fest takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October. Enjoy hayrides to the pumpkin patch; apple cider slushies; food vendors; wine tasting; straw tunnel; corn maze; baked goods; maple cotton candy; barrel train rides; farm animals; games for kids; and more. Wasson Farm’s Fall Fest weekends are the last opportunities to enjoy its farm fresh ice cream for the season. Follow Wasson Farm Market on Facebook for more information.
Nittany Meadow Farm
Fun with the historic farm’s adorable Nigerian dwarf and mini Nubian goats continues in September and October. Yoga is a popular, entertaining offering. Adding to the entertainment, the last public class in October will feature goats in Halloween costumes. New to yoga? You can help train goats that are new as well once the fall kids are born! Cue the country music and practice your Grapevine as you prepare to line dance with the farm’s four-legged friends. Nittanymeadowfarm.com
The Heirloom Farmer
Sunflower season is open at The Heirloom Farmer! As summer’s own golden hour and a lead in to fall, this is a wonderful outdoor experience for the entire family. At the farm just outside of Port Matilda, guests can stroll among thousands of sunflowers, cut their own bouquets, and capture sweet memories with stunning photos. Sunflower season runs through Sept. 14. Theheirloomfarmer.com.
Mini Whinnies at Quarter Acre Wood
The miniature horses at this farm outside of Port Matilda and the talent of riders will be on display at the Fall Student Showcase, which will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. The event is free and open to the public. The adorable horses will also make an appearance at the Talleyrand Fall Festival in Bellefonte on Saturday, Oct. 25. Visit the Mini Whinnies website and social media channels for information about an upcoming watercolor workshop with Kaleidoscope, PA. –mini-w-horsemanship.weebly.com.
Amish farm-to-table dinners
In Madisonburg, Kinfork Café will host an all-you-can-eat buffet from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Bring the family and enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner featuring fresh sweet corn, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, potatoes, pulled beef with barbeque sauce, haystack with ground beef barbeque, and a salad bar. There will also be fresh apple cider, pumpkin spice everything, pumpkins, mums, cheese tastings and baked goods. Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVP is encouraged by calling 814 349-5290. Kinfork.com
The fall Nittany Valley Benefit Dinner will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Hublersburg Fire Hall. The traditional Amish Wedding Dinner will be served buffet style. Time slots are from noon to 7 p.m. on the hour. Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVP is encouraged. Call 814 810-7959 to reserve your seat.
Central PA Tasting Trail
After you have picked sunflowers, played with goats and selected the perfect pumpkin, relax with a local craft beverage. The 18 establishments on the Central PA Tasting Trail have you covered with seasonal beer, wine, cider and spirits, along with flavor forward mocktails. It’s the perfect ending to a full day of fall fun.
For more inspiration, visit HappyValley.com or HappyValleyAgventures.com.
Lesley Kistner is public relations director for The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.
