Local Things to Do This Fall
Pumpkins and gourds at Angevine Farm in Warren.
From scenic and charming to downright scary, here is a list of suggested seasonal things to do in the area for the months of October and November.
Pick your own apples and pumpkins at the many small, family-run farms in the area.
Suggestions include:
March Farm in Bethlehem
March Farm, located at 160 Munger Lane in Bethlehem, is known for its fresh and abundant produce, baked goods, jams & jellies, and pick-your-own blueberries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins.
Angevine Farm in Warren
A sixth-generation family farm, Angevine Farm located at 40 Angevine Road in Warren, is known for its Christmas trees, wreaths, and wide selection of pumpkins, gourds, and winter squash.
Averill Farm in Washington
A tenth-generation family farm, specializing in apples and pears, Averill Farm is located at 250 Calhoun Street in Washington Depot. In addition, their farm store sells their own cider, apple cider donuts, jams and jellies in addition to locally-sourced maple syrup, honey, cheese, pies, and baked goods.
Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel
Initially a 50-acre dairy farm, and expanding today to include 122-acres, Blue Jay Orchards, located at 125 Plumtrees Road in Bethel, offers apple picking, a pumpkin patch, a farm store, and a bakery. Eating one of their delicious apple cider donuts after an afternoon of apple picking is a favorite childhood memory.
Get lost in a corn maze.
Suggestions include:
March Farm in Bethlehem
March Farm seems to have it all if you are looking for fun, seasonal things to do with your family. Not only do they have apple and pumpkin picking, they also have a playscape, a sheep and goat “animal yard,” and a corn maze that is open on weekends throughout the fall.
The Farm in Woodbury
The Farm, located at 281 Weekeepeemee Road in Woodbury, offers various classes and a summer and fall CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture program. In the fall you’ll find plenty of family activities including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, cornhole, and pumpkin bowling.
Castle Hill Farm in Newtown
A former dairy farm, the farmers at Castle Hill Farm, located at 1 Sugar Lane in Newtown, stay busy growing hay, corn, Christmas trees, and vegetables. In the fall months the farm becomes a canvas for its seven-acre corn maze.
Keep vampires away.
Garlic & Harvest Festival held at the Bethlehem Fairgrounds
The 19th Annual Garlic & Harvest Festival held at the Bethlehem Fairgrounds the weekend of October 12-13th offers food, crafts, music, and other forms of entertainment. In addition to the garlicy and savory food truck fare, you’ll find deep fried garlic and even garlic ice cream!
Give yourself a fright
Suggestions include:
The Forest of Fear in Danbury
Held at St. Gregory the Great Parish (85 Great Plain Road) in Danbury, I found the Forest of Fear terrifying when I went last year. They do offer a less scary time to go (before dusk), which I may opt for if I go again this year. It all depends on how brave I’m feeling.
Scarybrooke Park Haunted Trail in New Milford
For three weekends in October, Harrybrooke Park, located at 100 Still River Drive in New Milford, transforms into the Scarybrook Park Haunted Trail. The Haunted Trail is not recommended for children under 12-years old.
The Forsaken Lands Outdoor Haunt in Goshen
Held at Action Wildlife (435 Torrington Road) in Goshen, the location of this haunt itself seems downright creepy. But then, the website’s description of it as being “home to a plethora of inhabitants who claim this long forgotten farm village as their own,” makes me think the actors are getting their inspiration from the stories surrounding Dudleytown, a ghost town located in nearby Cornwall. This is definitely a Halloween option that is not for the faint of heart.
Watch Friday the 13th Part 2
Hiding under the covers while watching Friday the 13th Part 2 might be the least scary way to celebrate Halloween. Parts of the movie were filmed in New Preston and the primary filming location for the movie’s fictitious Crystal Lake was North Spectacle Pond in Kent.
Run off excess calories from all that Halloween candy and Thanksgiving turkey you’ll be eating.
Suggestions include:
Kent Pumpkin Run – October 27, 2004
Goshen Turkey Trot – Thanksgiving Day
Ridgefield Turkey Trot – Thanksgiving Day
Southbury Turkey Trot – Thanksgiving Day
Newtown Turkey Trot - Thanksgiving Day
Bethel Turkey Trot - Thanksgiving Day