In these early weeks of the school year, it’s easy to get caught up in homework and deadlines. It’s good to focus on school, but in doing so, we sometimes forget to have fun and enjoy our after-school lives.
Alongside all of the projects and exams marked in your planner, be sure to make room for an upcoming fall festival. Fall festivals are a great way to distance yourself from the stress of college and welcome the new season.
Luckily, there are many to choose from, each with unique attractions and attributes.
Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest
Melbourne, Kentucky — Sept. 27–Oct. 31
Only 15 minutes from campus, Neltner’s Farm has every quality you could want from a fall festival: corn maze, wagon rides and a pumpkin patch. Open on both weekends and weekdays, Neltner’s Farm is the perfect spot for those of us who have limited free time. Whether you are searching for pumpkins to carve or a perfect backdrop for your fall photoshoot, this festival is your spot. Additionally, on weekends, the farm hosts local vendors, live music, wine tastings and more.
Kentucky Woolfest
Falmouth, Kentucky — Oct. 3–5
Started in 1983, the Woolfest brings a unique theme to the world of fall festivals. Its goal is to promote sheep, wool products and the local community. True to its name, the Woolfest provides a rare opportunity to watch sheep shearing and herding, while also hosting several tents with a variety of local vendors. Deep in the heart of Kentucky, you’ll sip on the sweet, spiced taste of homemade root beer brewed on-site while listening to the lively twang of bluegrass music.
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Waynesville, Ohio — Weekends, Aug. 30–Oct. 26
Sporting a nontraditional outlook on fall, the Ohio Renaissance Festival embraces the themes of 16th-century knights and queens. This event offers a magical experience to dress up with your friends in corsets, capes and tunics to enjoy jousts and dancing. With over 100 performances and demonstrations daily, there is something here for everyone. The Ohio Renaissance Festival is open every weekend, with a special theme guiding the day’s events, including pirates, Vikings and heroes.
Cincinnati Zoo’s Jack O’Lantern Glow
Cincinnati — Oct. 3–30
We’ve seen the zoo overflow with lights during Christmas, flowers in the spring, and now, back for the second year, a grand pumpkin display for Halloween. Over 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins of every design and style scatter the zoo grounds, along with other fall displays and special effects. This must-see exhibit lets you view the zoo in a way unlike any other.
Country Pumpkins
Dry Ridge, Kentucky — Sept. 6–Nov. 1
Following a more traditional fall festival, Country Pumpkins offers unique charms for the whole family. You may find yourself walking through the festival, sipping on warm cider when, to your right, a pumpkin launches 150 feet and explodes on the ground with a thud. The chunkin’ pumpkin launcher is only the beginning of fun activities, alongside new paintball shooting for thrill-seekers. With endless food, drinks and activities to enjoy, Country Pumpkins doesn’t want you to limit yourself to one day of fun—they offer on-site cabin rentals so you can extend your stay.