By Delaney Dine

The start of the pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and fall festivals is upon us. Visiting these attractions is a fun way to spend time with friends and family while celebrating the season. 

“You have to romanticize the season changes,” English teacher Ms. Lewis said, “Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons in Ohio, and post-fall is a little dreary. We have quite a hefty winter season.” 

“Even in our spring we’re not really benefiting from the sunlight for a long time,” Lewis said, “So, I think you really have to live it up during the fall, embrace the nice weather, get cozy, hunker down for the winter.”

One of the first events to open this year is Lynd Fruit Farm and Corn Maze, which started on September 5 and will continue until October 2. 

“It’s my favorite,” senior Sophia Hofacker, who attended Lynd Fruit Farm, said. “I love it so much. I picked some apples and I got some apple cider.”

Other events this season include the Lucas Brothers Fall Festival, Tuken’s Farm Market and Winery, Young’s Jersey Dairy Fall Farm, Heritage Farms, and Oktoberfest.

“I definitely plan to attend a pumpkin patch or two, and an apple orchard,” senior Noah Barrios said. “Apple orchards are definitely my favorite.”

“I plan to go to Tuken’s because I want to pick my own apples,” English teacher Ms. Paige Lewis said, “I’m ravenous for honeycrisp. They’re my very favorite.”

This is a common sentiment, that a selling point for the attractions is the food, especially the apples.

“The apples are my favorite part. You can do so many things with them,” AP Government and sociology teacher Mr. Mark Carreira said.

Most take advantage of this time to spend time with loved ones and socialize. Many visit as a family, or with some friends.

“I usually go to a pumpkin patch at least once with my family,” Barrios said. “My girlfriend will probably want to go to a nice pumpkin patch to paint them.”

Here are some upcoming or ongoing events in the area to check out.

Tuken’s Farm Market & Winery

West Alexandria, OH

Open now

Bloom & Berries: Fall on the Farm

Loveland, OH

Sept. 13 – Oct. 31

Lucas Brothers Fall Festival

Bellbrook, OH

Sept. 26 – Oct. 26

Young’s Jersey Dairy Fall Farm

Yellow Springs, OH

Sept. 20 – Oct. 26

Hidden Valley Orchards Fall Kickoff

Lebanon, OH

Sept. 12

Burwinkel Fall Farm Fun

Hamilton, OH

Sept. 27 – Oct. 31

Neiderman Family Farm Fall Fest

West Chester, OH

Sept. 19 – Oct. 26

The Maize At Little Darby Creek

Milford Center, OH

Sept. 27 – Nov. 2

Lynd Fruit Farm Corn Maze

Pataskala, OH

Sept. 5 – Nov. 2

Heritage Farms

Peninsula, OH

Sept. 27 – Oct. 25

Nickajack Farms’ Pumpkin Days

North Lawrence, OH

Sept. 13 – Oct. 31

Circleville Pumpkin Show

Circleville, OH

Oct. 15 – Oct. 18

Windmill Farms

Springboro, OH

Sept. 20

Oktoberfest

Dayton, OH

Sept. 20 – Oct. 5