Autumn is a wonderful time to celebrate the end of summer. All around the North State this month, families can enjoy special events and family farms with apple picking, pumpkin harvests and the fun of hayrides and visiting friendly farm animals.
Here are our top picks for seasonal family fun this beautiful month of October.
-Pamela, North State Parent magazine publisher
Book Family Farm Pumpkin Patch
October 1-31, Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm
153 Heavy Horse Ln, Durham
bookfamilyfarm.net
This longtime family-owned pumpkin patch and farm beckons pumpkin enthusiasts throughout October. Pick by size from hundreds of pumpkins. The many animals at this old-fashioned family farm hold a special charm for young children. Little ones will love watching the antics of the cows Bossie and Ethel, dozens of goats and Henny Penny the chicken and her chicken friends! Free admission and parking. Lots of pumpkins and fall decorations for purchase.
Patrick Ranch Museum Autumn Fest
October 7-29, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4pm
10381 Midway, between Chico and Durham
patrickranchmuseum.org
Children’s crafts and activities, tram rides for the entire family, pony cart rides, farm fun and tours of the historic Glenwood farmhouse. Acres of beautiful varieties of pumpkins, hundreds of gourds and fall decorations to choose from. Pick your own or buy pre-picked. The farmhouse is beautifully decorated for fall and the gift shop is fully stocked with fall items created by local artists and craftspeople, as well as educational gifts and books for that little goblin in your family. Walk through the Butte County Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens for tips on drought tolerant plants for your home garden. Enjoy snacks or lunch at the Midway Cafe. October 5-27, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4pm. Admission $5 adults; kids 12 and under $3; 2 and under free.
Dairyville Orchard Festival
October 19, 10am-4pm
Lassen View School, 10818 CA-99, Los Molinos
dairyvillefestival.com
Crisp morning air, harvest equipment on the move and leaves beginning to change. This means it’s time to mark your calendar for the Dairyville Orchard Festival. The festival includes an antique tractor parade, handmade arts and craft vendors, food vendors, live entertainment, lil’ farmers’ corner, silent auction and a large agricultural marketplace where attendees can purchase a wide variety of agricultural commodities. Plenty of parking and always free admission.
Trinity Lutheran Fall Festival
October 19, 5:30 pm
2440 Hilltop Drive, Redding
reddingtlc.org
Trinity Lutheran’s Fall Festival will transform the churchyard into a colorful, family-friendly festival. Everyone is invited to come dressed up in your favorite costume. We will have classroom trick or treat, games, a chili cook-off and a silent auction. Admission is free, and all visitors are invited to bring friends.
Hillside Poms Fall Harvest
Check facebook for hours & season length. Text for availability.
1271 Capay Rd, Corning
(530) 228-3050
hillsidepoms.com
Hillside Poms’ Fall Harvest invites guests to come pick their own pomegranates or simply purchase a pre-picked box of delicious, chemical-free pomegranates to juice, jelly or eat fresh. This unique, seed-like fruit offers not only a refreshing, crisp flavor, but great health benefits, including high quantities of antioxidants and Vitamin C. Hillside Poms harvest has increased each year and the season typically runs from October through late December. As a family-owned farm, Hillside Poms welcomes families with children of all ages. Kids love using the farm’s simple and effective juicer to squeeze the sparkling red juice from the fresh fruit. Ask about owner Suzanne’s wonderful magic rub.
Hoes Down Festival
October 5, sunup to sundown and then some
16141 Road 43, Guinda
fullbellyfarm.com
33rd Annual Hoes Down Festival is something not to be missed if you enjoy the dusty fun of country life. This event is not exactly in our five-county region, yet it is located in beautiful Capay Valley and is one of my favorite annual events which I first started attending when my boys were young in the 80’s. This fun filled fair happens right on the grounds of the 400-acre, certified organic Full Belly Farm and offers healthy food, contra dancing, melon eating contest, farm tours, live music, workshops on bug hunting, milking a cow, flower farming and more. Also provides a chance to learn about the importance of sustainable agriculture practices. Camping for one night only. For fees and live music schedule see their website.
Historic Hawes Farms
Every weekend in October, Thursday-Sunday
6465 Deschutes Rd., Anderson
hawesfarms.com
(530) 365-2332
Offers families a wide range of modern fun, including bumper cars, go-karts, haunted attractions, a roller coaster, a mechanical bull, a pumpkin blaster and more! Those with a taste for more traditional harvest activities will love the Hawes Express train rides, the six-acre corn maze and the eight-acre pumpkin patch with more than 50 pumpkin and gourd varieties for visitors to choose from. Various admission prices depending on rides.
Manton Apple Festival
October 5, 9am-4pm
Manton Parks Community Center
(530) 474-5541
mantonapple.com
One of Northern California’s premier craft and art events, featuring live music all-day. Apple pie baking, pie eating contests and over 100 booths. Local apples for sale. Proceeds from booth rentals and the apple festival pie booth help support a variety of local Manton non-profit organizations and fund scholarships to support the educational goals of Manton area students. Buy whole pies or enjoy them by the slice. Smoking, alcohol and pets are prohibited.
Notre Dame School Fall Festival
October 5, 11am- 5pm
Notre Dame School, 435 Hazel St., Chico
ndschico.org
Come celebrate the start of fall with us! Enjoy a day filled with family fun activities and delicious food. We’ll have carnival games, face painting, cake walks, bounce house, prizes and plenty of tasty food and drinks for everyone. Don’t miss out on the fun! Open to the public, free admission and free street parking. All proceeds from the event will directly support the growth and education of the students at Notre Dame.
McCloud Apple Harvest Festival
October 12, 10am- 4pm
Main St., McCloud
A street fair style event which includes live music, a pumpkin patch, horse- drawn carriage rides, apple pressing, lots of vendors and apple pies. Pre-order your pies from the McCloud Chamber website. Performances from Sophie Renee and Three Mile Road. Enjoy live music by The Gnarly Pints from 11am-1pm. The Gnarly Pints are a dynamic fiddle rock duo from Northern California with a bold and eclectic pub style, consisting of classically trained fiddle player / songwriter Emily Nolen and hard-rocking multi-instrumentalist Jake Nolen. mccloudchamber.com/2024events.
Johnny Appleseed Days
October 5, 10am-5pm and October 6, 10am-4pm
Terry Ashe Park, 6626 Skyway, Paradise
paradisechamber.com/johnny-appleseed-days
First held in 1888, this is the oldest harvest festival in the state. The 2024 fall festival celebrates Paradise’s orchard heritage with apple pie and ice cream and fresh apples from Noble Orchards. Artisans from all over the state and beyond will sell a variety of handicrafts. The children’s area, sponsored by Paradise Unified School District, will feature face painting, nostalgic games and Johnny Appleseed with fruit and stories.
Continuous hometown entertainment graces the Gazebo Stage. A variety of delicious food will be available for purchase.
Chico Marketplace Pumpkin Decorating and Kid’s Costume Contest
October 26, 11am-3pm
Chico Marketplace, 1920 E. Market St.,
West Court near JCPenney & Dick’s Sporting Goods
shopchicomarketplace.com/events/pumpkin-decorating-kids-costume-contest
Join us for our annual Pumpkin Decorating & Kid’s Costume Contest. This year we are adding a Doggie Costume Contest at 11am!
- Doggie Costume Contest at 11:30am (check in begins at 11am)
- Beetlejuice and Lydia will be here from 12–3pm
- Kid’s Costume Contests at 12:30pm and 2pm (Children 10 and under)
- 2 age categories per Kid’s Costume Contest: 5 and under and 6-10 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes in each age category
- $10 per family/group (5 people per group) includes 3 pumpkins and costume contest entry.
- Registration is required (registration begins October 1st).
- The event will be in our west court near JCPenney & Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Country Pumpkins
October 1-31, 10am-6pm; Open daily (maze closes at 5pm)
7152 Highway 32, Orland
Look for signs between Road P and Stony Creek
countrypumpkins.org
True to its name, Country Pumpkins in the countryside of Orland is celebrating 25 years of offering family harvest fun! With five acres of pumpkins and interesting gourds for visitors to explore, plus a country store with a variety of jams, jellies, local honey, pumpkin butter and syrup and other farm products. Families can have bales of fun on the hay pyramid and hay slide. This family-owned and operated farm also offers an observation beehive to introduce children to the important role these insects play in agriculture. One of the farm’s most popular attractions is its eight-acre corn maze, uniquely designed each year by the owner’s family. The proceeds of the maze benefit 4-H programs and other local nonprofit organizations. Come celebrate the season and support the work they do! Free admission. On selected nights only the brave at heart (10 years and older) can visit the Haunted Maze 7-10pm to get a dose of the Halloween scary thrills. Bring flashlights and friends! $15 per person. Cash only. Fridays, October 11, 18 & 25. Saturdays, October 12,19 & 26.
Spellbound: A Magical Pop-Up Market Event Presented by Your Local Marketplace
October 27, 11am-4pm
Lassen Traditional Cidery, 643 Entler Ave, Ste. 52, Chico
Step into a world of magic at Spellbound, a whimsical pop-up market event hosted by Your Local Marketplace! Discover unique products ranging from handmade crafts and one-of-a-kind clothing to artisanal foods and magical treats from local vendors. Face painting and trick-or-treating at each booth. Enjoy seasonal ciders and refreshments from Lassen Traditional Cidery as you explore the market. Don your favorite costume and come experience the magic of Spellbound! Find us on Facebook.
Posted in: Out & About
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