By Rachel Monroe
The last few weeks I’ve noticed that the leaves are starting to fall. The wind is picking up. The air is crisper and cooler. Pumpkins are making their appearance in the supermarkets and grocery stores. All signals point to autumn fast approaching. This is my favorite time of year. Not only do I enjoy the natural beauty of autumn, I also look forward to all the fun, fall activities around Grays Harbor. Here’s a sampling of activities and events for you and your family to enjoy this season.
1. Pumpkin Patches. There’s nothing like visiting a pumpkin patch, taking a hay ride or running through a corn maze to get you in the fall spirit.
Shaffner Farms in Montesano offers a free hayride to the pumpkin patch where kids and families can each select a pumpkin of their choice. After returning to the barn, kids have lots of fun washing their pumpkin in troughs filled with water. Shaffner’s barn is turned into an autumn and Halloween wonderland during the month of October. Kids will have fun making their way to the hayloft through decorative spider webs and curtains. In the hayloft is a fun-filled hay maze for kids to enjoy. If you want to put together a group of friends to visit the pumpkin patch with you, group pricing is available, and usually is around $5 per pumpkin per child. Call to schedule your event.
Chapman Farms in Brady also features a large pumpkin patch, hay maze and other fall activities.
2. Autumn in the Country. Cedarville Barn’s annual “Autumn in the Country” is a fantastic event designed to bring back a touch of the past. The pumpkin patch features thousands of gorgeous pumpkins, squash, and gourds in an array of brilliant fall colors. You can take a ride in a vintage carriage pulled by a team of draft horses and snap a family photo next to an original 1951 Ford. There is a 100-year-old cider press displayed in the cider shack where you can purchase cider by the cup or gallon. More than 45 vendors attend the late September event displaying antiques, country collectibles, quilts, handmade soaps, iron works, garden and metal art and so much more. Lunch is offered with numerous picturesque spots to sit down and enjoy the scenery and your meal. The folks at Cedarville Barn invite you to “come enjoy a day in the country of simpler times.” The event takes place on Friday and Saturday, Sept 25 and 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 85 Lewis Rd in Oakville. This event is free and lots of fun for the whole family.
3. Aberdeen Oktoberfest. The Aberdeen Oktoberfest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 9 and 10 in downtown Aberdeen on Broadway. Friday night is primarily an adults-only event with a fun beer garden, keg rolling, beard contest and yodeling contest. On Saturday the event begins at 11:00 a.m. and goes until 4:00 p.m. Bring the kids for a day of family fun! There will be numerous vendors, kid’s activities and a 5K or 10K fun run.
4. Trunk or Treat. While this event is packed with entertaining activities for the whole family and highly attended by community members,Grays Harbor Foursquare Church has just announced they are canceling this year’s event due to water damage in their building. However, they have assured us they will be hosting this event next year — so keep your eye out for 2016’s activity schedule featuring costumes, candy, fun and games.
5. Humptoberfest. Looking for a fun date with your spouse or significant other? Leave the kids with a sitter and head over to Humptoberfest at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 24 from 3pm till midnight. This country music and beer festival will feature some of the Pacific Northwest’s most popular country bands. Must be over the age of 21 to attend. Tickets are $20 when purchased in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased through the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds or Monte Quick Stop in Montesano.
6. Downtown Elma Trick or Treat. The Elma Chamber of Commerce and local businesses are excited to be hosting their 17th annual “Downtown Elma” trick or treat event. Scheduled for Friday, October 30 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
7. Haunted Hoquiam. Like Aberdeen, the Hoquiam Business Association sponsors a downtown trick or treat event at local businesses. This year’s trick or treating is also scheduled for Saturday, Oct 31 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Visit the event’s Facebook page for updated details as they arrive.
8. Fright Fest and Haunted House. Head over to the Haunted House at the Pacific Beach Resort and Conference Center for a night of frightful fun. Scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, October 30 and 31 at 5:00 p.m.
9. Haunted Hoquiam. Like Aberdeen, the Hoquiam Business Association sponsors a downtown trick or treat event at local businesses. This year’s trick or treating is also scheduled for Saturday, Oct 31 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Visit the event’s Facebook page for updated details as they arrive.
10. Harvest Fair. The churches of Elma have partnered together to bring the community an exciting “Harvest Fair.” The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Elma Middle School Gym. There will be face painting, cookie decorating, hotdogs, popcorn, candy and so much more!
11. Fright Fest and Haunted House. Head over to the Haunted House at the Pacific Beach Resort and Conference Center for a night of frightful fun. Scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, October 30 and 31 at 5:00 p.m.
12. Bret Michael’s Halloween House Party. Global rock star, Brett Michaels will be at the D & R Theater in Aberdeen on Saturday, October 31 for a Halloween House Party and concert. Tickets can be purchased online or at Grays Harbor Coffee next to the D & R.
13. Ocean Shores Halloween Party. The Ocean Shores Firefighters Association will be hosting their 45th annual Halloween party. Traditionally held at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, this event is mountains of fun for the whole family, featuring costumes, haunted houses and bucket loads of candy. While dates and details are yet to be announced, the Firefighters Association has confirmed they will definitely be hosting this fun-filled event in 2015. Like their Facebook page to stay up to date on event details.
14. YMCA Harvest Carnival and Tukey Bingo. The YMCA of Grays Harbor features several exciting fall activities for the whole family. They will be hosting their annual Harvest Carnival on Saturday, Oct 31 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. This free event is packed with fun games, candy and prizes. On Friday, October 30, the Y will be hosting an Apple Bob and Pumpkin Relay in the pool area. Kids and families will have loads of fun bobbing for apples and engaging in a pumpkin relay. Family Turkey Bingo is scheduled for Friday, Nov 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
