Pumpkins, plaid & plenty of fun: A guide to fall festivities

The very subtle dipping seasonal temperatures aren’t slowing North Central Ohio down when it comes to some good old-fashioned fall fun.

With plenty of rural beauty across the area, it is so easy to see the seasons change just by taking a drive down the highway with the windows down, football on the radio and an apple cider in hand.

But as great as that is, trust me, I know, there is so much more fall-family-fun in our region to “rake” in, that’s a leaf joke for all my dad-joke lovers out there.

From Flannel Fest in Ashland, hiking at Honey Run in Knox to apple-picking at Apple Hill Orchards in Richland, there is something for every fall fanatic to enjoy.

Even though I am brand new to the area and have not yet experienced a fall here, I grew up in a house that loved the jeans-and-hoodie time of year.

Thus, I cherish everything that takes place during the small window of 55 degrees and sunny with a slight breeze here in Ohio.

I can still feel the stem of a pumpkin poking me in the back when my mom had my sister and me sit in pastures for a fall photo year after year.

So, without further ado, if you too can’t wait to jump into a leaf pile and sport some new flannels, let’s dive into some fall festivities.

This guide is organized by county and is in chronological order within each county. Events at the end of each list with no date listed can be attended at any time.

Ashland

Autumn in Ashland — Sept. 6
Keep your closet fall-fresh by shopping in downtown Ashland with Clothes Minded, Opal and Olive and Shearer Creations.
📍Downtown Ashland — Learn more

Eyes on the Sky — Sept. 6
Look up as hot air balloons color the sky to raise awareness for kids losing their vision.
📍Ashland — Learn more

End of Summer Main Street Bash — Sept. 13
Close out summer and welcome fall with a full-blown party in downtown Ashland. Catch some classic cars cruising in, live music or the world-famous Appalachian Bearded Mafia Beard & Mustache Contest.
📍Downtown Ashland — Learn more

OHSTPA Fall Shootout Truck & Tractor Pull — Sept. 13
See the craziest trucks and tractors out there as they go for the fastest time and another regular-season win.
📍Ashland (Dragway 42) — Learn more

Mohican Bigfoot Festival — Sept. 20
Search for the mythological creature at the first annual Mohican Bigfoot Festival. If finding Bigfoot doesn’t pan out, festivalgoers can hear from a long list of speakers or do some make-and-take crafts.
📍Loudonville (Mohican State Park) — Learn more

Oktoberfest at Wolf Creek Grist Mill — Sept. 27
Taste dozens of craft, domestic and international beers by the glass, bottle, pitcher or growler with live tunes kicking in the background, oh, and OSU football on a big screen.
📍Loudonville (Mohican State Park) — Learn more

Honey Haven Farm’s Fall Festival — Sept. 27 – Oct. 26
Get lost in an indoor straw maze or an 8-acre corn maze. After you find your way out, try some homemade pumpkin ice cream or apple dumplings and donuts.
📍Ashland — Learn more

Fall Foliage Drive-It-Yourself-Tour — Oct. 12-26
Open those windows and cruise through the falling leaves in Mohican country, or stop and take a hike through the winding paths in the state park.
📍Ashland (Mohican State Park) — Learn more

Richland

Greek Festival — Sept. 5-6
Take part in a popular tradition and some excellent Greek cuisine all while taking in the beauty that is Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
📍Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church — Learn more

Meet the Budweiser Clydesdales — Sept. 10 and Sept. 12
See the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales parade through The Brickyard or Bellville’s Street Fair, or snap a picture with a horse later in the evening.
📍Mansfield (Sept. 10) & Bellville (Sept. 12) — Learn more

Oktoberfest at The Phoenix Brewing Company — Sept. 20
Ring in harvest season at The Phoenix’s beer garden with some local brews, Schmidt’s Sausage food truck and live music.
📍Mansfield — Learn more

CrowFest at the Mansfield Art Center — Sept. 20 – Oct. 31
Celebrate crows migrating to the Mansfield Art Center’s forest and take a peek at some crow-inspired art. Enjoy food trucks and craft beer during the opening ceremony on Sept. 20.
📍Mansfield — Learn more

Ohio Heritage Days at Malabar Farm — Sept. 27
Come on down to Malabar Farm State Park for a day of crafts, antique tractors, live music and living history camps.
📍Lucas — Learn more

Prairie Peddler Festival — Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 4-5
Take a trip out to a marketplace in the woods and shop for primitive decor, or take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon.
📍Butler — Learn more

The Great Pumpkin Glow at Kingwood Center Gardens — Oct. 17
Locals of all ages can check out a massive mum tree, garden paths lit by thousands of jack-o-lanterns or Scarecrow Row.
📍Mansfield — Learn more

Fall Photo Friday at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary — Oct. 17
Get up close and personal with resident birds in a natural setting, and snap a selfie with five different birds of prey while you’re at it.
📍Mansfield — Learn more

The Blueberry Patch and 1285 Winery
Frolic in 37 acres worth of blueberry bushes, or enjoy some fine wine and dining at the 1285 Winery; make sure to try the steak and gorgonzola cavatappi or create your own pizza.
📍Mansfield — Learn more

Knox

Fredericktown Tomato Show — Sept. 3-6
The 48th Fredericktown Tomato Show is a local favorite with everything tomato-related and daily music or other entertainment on the main stage at night.
📍Fredericktown — Learn more

The Points Handmade Harvest — Sept. 6
Come shop a variety of different vendors and local crafters, all while being outside in autumn weather.
📍Centerburg — Learn more

CES Concert Night for the Community — Sept. 13
Jam to some free country music at Ariel Foundation Park’s Schnormeier Event Center, first performance at 6:30 p.m.
📍Mount Vernon (Schnormeier Event Center) — Learn more

Backyard Biergarten Sunset Social — Sept. 18
Try Ohio’s best craft beers with some fun food while jamming to a little local live music.
📍Mount Vernon (Ariel-Foundation Park) — Learn more

Centerburg Oldtime Farming Festival — Sept. 19-21
Celebrate and preserve local farming history at the 32nd annual Oldtime Farming Festival in Centerburg.
📍Centerburg (Centerburg Memorial Park) — Learn more

Knox County Biketoberfest — Oct. 3-5
Attention cyclists of all levels, get ready to take in the Autumn air at the first-ever Knox County Biketoberfest.
📍Downtown Mount Vernon — Learn more

Market at the Manor — Oct. 5
Check out the once-abandoned Miller Manor from the 1800s for a photo shoot or shop antiques, art and other handmade items.
📍Mount Vernon — Learn more

Fall Harvest Festival — Oct. 18
Take a horse-drawn hayride, decorate some pumpkins and press some cider at this annual event.
📍Gambier (Kenyon College’s Brown Family Environmental Center) — Learn more

Hike the Kokosing Gap Trail
Explore Pennsylvania Railroad history, fall foliage landscapes and the Kokosing River along a 13.4-mile trail that connects several neighboring towns.
📍Trail end points in Danville and Mount Vernon — Learn more

Get some fresh produce at Knox Berry Farm
Bring the whole family and take some fresh fruits and vegetables home, or pick out this season’s pumpkin for your front steps.
📍Mount Vernon — Learn more