Fall is here, and the cooler weather and changing leaves make this the perfect time of year to wander outdoors. Those hazy summer days are gone, so make time to explore the many hiking and bridle trails that line the county’s diverse terrain. Grab your bike and roll along the gentle hills of the B&O Trail. Whether on wheels or on foot, you’ll love the 18.4 miles of paved trail on the railroad bed of the former Baltimore & Ohio Railway. Grab your friends, family, and pets and head out to Malabar Farm State Park for their Fall Hike for Health (Oct 20). More fall activities for both families and fear fanatics are added all the time, so make sure to follow the Destination Mansfield – Richland County calendar for all the upcoming fall fun, live music, and haunted happenings!
There are plenty of family-friendly events coming up this October. Come and check out the 15 fun attractions at Fun at the Barnyard Park (Saturdays & Sundays Sept 29-Oct 21) including a corn maze, apple blaster, hillside slides, pumpkin slingshot, petting farm, inflatables, wagon rides, and more. Pick your own apples through October 24 at Apple Hill Orchards. Be sure and stop in for special events like Kids Weekend (Oct 6 & 7). Head to the heart of “Appleseed Country” for all things apple at the Butler Apple Fest (Oct 12 & 13). Octoberfest at Wayne’s Country Market (Oct 1-28) brings the fall fun all throughout October with free barn activities such as zip lining, a straw maze, slides and more. For a weekend of family-friendly Halloween activities, mark your calendars for Pleasant Hill Lake Park’s Halloween Campout Weekend (Oct 12-14). Enjoy good food and live music while little ones enjoy the kid zone at the Lexington Oktoberfest (Oct 5 & 6).
Kingwood Center Gardens once again hosts the award-winning Great Pumpkin Glow (Oct 20 & 21). The Glow returns bigger and better than ever with thousands of carved pumpkins, friendly scarecrows, live music, horse-drawn hayrides, and delicious food. Purchase a Pumpkin Pass and gain admission to both the Pumpkin Glow and Little Buckeye Children’s Museum on Oct 20 or 21.
The Ohio Bird Sanctuary hosts a Fall Family Fest (Oct 13) of their own with animal encounters, games, and crafts galore. The family fun closes out with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of a Symphony Spooktacular (Oct 28) filled with slightly-spooky and fun Halloween hits the entire family will enjoy. Finally, it wouldn’t be October without costumes and candy. Bring out the kids to trick-or-treat at more than 60 participating merchants and watch the Halloween Parade at the Historic Carrousel District’s Monsterfield Masquerade (Oct 27).
For the brave at heart looking to add a little more thrill to their fall, we have plenty of events for you. Test your nerve as you attempt to Escape from Blood Prison at The Ohio State Reformatory (now through Nov 5). Scream your way through this terrifying haunted house located in a prison known for paranormal activity. If you’re looking for some real ghost stories, explore a haunted building by flashlight at the Public Ghost Walk at The Haunted Bissman Building (Oct 6). For those looking to do some true paranormal investigations, reserve your spot for The Haunted Bissman Building’s Public Paranormal Investigation (Oct 27). Spots are limited and fill up quickly, so reserve your space early. This month at the Renaissance Performing Arts Association, the Stephen King Film Festival continues with a screening and pre-movie discussion of Carrie (Oct 20). The Haunting at the Harvest at Malabar Farm State Park is new to our calendar this year featuring a haunted hayride through the harvest fields of Malabar Farm. This next event features murder and an elegant three-course Italian dinner. Put on your best 1920’s attire and get your tickets for Kingwood Center Gardens’ Murder at the Mansion mystery dinner theater (Oct 27).
Also happening this month, The Light in the Piazza opens at the Renaissance Performing Arts Association’s Theatre 166 (Oct 5-7) then The Naked Magicians (Oct 17) take over the main stage with the world’s funniest and naughtiest magic show. Dust off your dancing shoes and shuffle your way to Malabar Farm for their end of season Harvest Barn Dance (Oct 27). Also at Malabar, catch the showing of this month’s Old Fashioned Film Feature – Johnny Come Lately in the Main Barn. Finally, the monstrously funny musical Young Frankenstein opens at the Mansfield Playhouse (Oct 19-20, 26-27).
Check out these awesome recurring events:
- First Friday Shop Hop (Oct 5)
- Movies at the Lake (Oct 12)
For a full list of area events, visit www.DestinationMansfield.com. Be sure and check out our blog for more in-depth details on family-friendly fall activities and haunted happenings this Halloween season.
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