Montgomery County's Guide to Fall 2014'

The crunch of the leaves, the crisp air, football Sundays, hoodie weather, bonfires, and everything pumpkin…literally, everything! Yup, it’s that time of year again in Montgomery County and our “Happening Guide to Fall” is here to let you know what’s happening in our area. There’s just too many fun things to do in and around Montco during the Fall season so we put together a list of some of our favorites! We will be updating the guide every week with more local happenings so keep checking in for new and exciting events.

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Merrymead Farms

Come out to one of Montco’s most beloved farms to enjoy Harvest Days which are happening all throughout October! Check out the schedule, times and activities for our local residents to enjoy. Click here to visit the Merrymead website for more information.

Fall Harvest Day Weekends 2014

Harvest Days are held every Saturday and Sunday during the month of October. Saturdays: 11:00am to 5:00pm & Sundays 12:00pm to 5:00pm. All Harvest Day food and activities are CASH ONLY!

Fall Activities Include:

Scenic Tractor Hayrides Around the Farm
Wagon Rides for Children
700ft. cornstalk Tunnel
Children’s Games
Pumpkin Painting
*Sat. Oct. 11th – Worcester Fire Dept. Equipment Display
Face Painting
Inflatable’s
Harvest Slinger
Farm Animals
5 Acre Cornfield Maze
Hayrides & Cornstalk Tunnel from 12pm – 8pm
5 Acre Cornfield Maze from 12pm – 4pm
Moonlight Maze from 6pm – 8pm (Must bring your flashlight!)
Sunday – Hayrides & Cornstalk Tunnel from 12pm – 4pm
5 Acre Cornfield Maze from 12pm – 4pm

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Harleysville Hayrides

Harleysville Hayride is a family oriented event taking place every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from October 10th – October 31st in Schwenksville, PA. The hayride is an awesome, family friendly community charity service for kids and adults of all ages. Enjoy a day of great Fall fun, food and friends while helping support the children of New Life Youth & Family Services! The classic and haunted hayrides are the result of a massive community effort which involved hundreds of volunteers from all over the region. If you would like to participate please feel free to reach out to their team. Contact info can be found by clicking the link below. Help spread the word by telling a friend and enjoy the hayrides. Tickets are only $10 each but only $6 for groups of 10 or more. As always, kids under 3 are free!

Beautiful 25 minute ride through 100 acres of picturesque farmland
Wagons leave approximately every 10 minutes
Face Painting
Petting Zoo for the kids!
Pony Rides
Pumpkins with painting stations
Lots of food, homemade apple cider and delicious baked goods
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Location
Harleysville Hayride
585 Freeman School Rd
Schwenksville, Pennsylvania 19473
Website: http://www.harleysvillehayride.com

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Kohler Farms

The pumpkins are looking great and ready to be picked, the team at MH was just there to grab some of our own. Stop by and take a hayride out to the patch because there is plenty to do once you get out there. Pick your pumpkins, get lost in the corn maze, and little ones can play in the corn table or run through the hay maze. Hayrides will begin on Saturday, September 27th and will run every weekend through October from 10am – 5pm. Check out our Hayride link for more info. Don’t forget to stop in to the store for some home grown apples, an unbelievable selection of Fall flowers and of course, some of the best Pumpkin ice cream in town!

Location
1262 Limekiln Pike, Horsham, Pennsylvania

Hours
Monday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Contact Info
Phone (215) 646-4941
Website: Kohler Farms

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Northern Star Farm

Fall Fest at Northern Star Farms includes all your favorites like moonlit hayrides, a petting zoo for the kids, pumpkin patches, bonfires and a corn maze as well. However, what might make this local farm stand out from all the rest is the addition of their brand new launching cannon. Come blow off some steam or just have some fun launching apples and small pumpkins at targets down range. It’s an interesting twist on celebrating Fall, one that we will definitely be checking out!

As this is a family business composed of a small, personal staff, all of the activities throughout the year are by reservation only, with the exception of our weekend fall fest which runs from 9am to 5pm both Saturday and Sunday throughout October.

At a very reasonable $10.00/person (infants are free), the slow moving 40 minute moonlit hayride covers Northern Farms 230 acres. This is not a haunted hayrdie, but it is an excellent chance to get off your feet and unwind with the kids. Finish up the ride with a bonfire, smore’s and cider!

Fall Fest at Northern Star Farms
96 Third Ave East
Trappe, Pennsylvania 19426
#215-859-7302
Visit their website for more info: Norther Star Farms

Fall Festival at Pennypacker Mills

Bring the whole family to Pennypacker Mills on Saturday, October 18th from 1pm to 4pm for a FREE afternoon of fun for all ages. Take a tractor-pulled hayride around the grounds and view the beautiful Fall foliage. Watch your kids add their creative touch to the pumpkin they select with a variety of paint colors and take it home for your front step. Bring your camera to capture all the memorable moments as kids make vintage inspired Halloween crafts, do gravestone rubbings, crank the cider press and shuck dried corn, just as farmers did in the early 1900’s. There will also be hay pile jumping and lots of more activities to keep the kids busy. It’s the kind of old-fashioned fun we can all remember. Refreshments will also be served. For more information, call #610-187-9349 or check out the official newsletter of Pennypacker Mills by clicking here.

Pennypacker Mills
5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville PA 19473
#610-287-9349
Website: www.historicsites.montcopa.org/pennypackermills

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The 41st Annual Apple Butter Frolic

Apples and butter, it’s a win win! The 41st annual Apple Butter Frolic is happening this Saturday, October 4th from 9:30am-4pm at the Mennonite heritage Center in Harleysville. This popular autumn festival has been enjoyed by the local community for the last 40 years, and you won’t want to miss it in 2014! The Frolic is an opportunity to learn how Mennonites and their neighbors lived more than 100 years ago, and it’s a great time for all ages! It also raises important funds to support the mission of the Mennonite Heritage Center.

HOURS
9:30am – 4:00pm
The event will be held rain or shine.

Pancake & Apple Sausage Breakfast served 7:30-10:30 am
Adult — $8.00
Child (ages 8 & under) — $4.00

ADMISSION (beginning at 9:30 am)
Adult (ages 13 & older) — $8.00
Child (ages 6-12) — $2.00
Under 6 Free
Please No Pets

ATM will be available for cash withdrawals on site.

FEATURES

Apple Foods Tent
Folk Craft Demonstrations
Delicious PA German Food
Children’s Activities
Horse and Wagon Rides
Farming Demonstrations
Sheep Herding
Silent Auction
Apple Baking Contest
Grandma’s Kitchen Dinner (see menu below)

*PARKING available at Indian Valley Middle School, 130 Maple Ave., Harleysville, with shuttle to the nearby Frolic on the MHC campus. Handicap parking at site.

Scarecrow Making at Norristown Farm Park

Bring the kids out to Norristown Farm Park this Saturday to create your very own scarecrow! You can learn how this Sunday, October 5th at 1pm. Families can have fun making and dressing their very own scarecrow. Be sure to bring clothes and a hat for your scarecrow, the Farm Park will supply straw! The best of the best will be selected to make featured appearances at the Park in the Dark night hike event on October 17th. Admission is free, but costs $5 per scarecrow. Pre-registration is required.

Event Details
Scarecrow Making
Sunday, October 5th, 2014
Norristown Farm Park
2500 Upper Farm Rd, Norristown, PA
Times: 1:00pm
Admission: $5 per scarecrow
#610-270-0215

Ages: Adults with or without children (5 years and up); fee $5 per scarecrow; pre-registration required; meet at the park office.

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Fall Fun in Skippack Village
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Skippack Days
Montgomery County’s most adorable town is hosting their 41st annual Skippack Days event this Saturday and Sunday! You won’t want to miss the weekend long celebration that bring local residents, food and craft vendors from all across our area together for a community fun in Fall! Aside from the usual charm that Skippack Village has always offered, you will also find a ton of fall festivities happening throughout the main strip which helps make this weekend the most popular time ever for Skippack! Activities start at 10am and end at 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday, October 4th and 5th. Check below to see what else is happening this October in the Village!

Winetober Fest
This marks the fourth year for Skippack’s very own Winetober Fest! The wine loving event is taking place on Saturday, October 11th form 1pm-6pm. Covered venues, tents and vendors will be placed throughout Skippack Village as the town hosts a multitude of Pennsylvania Wineries along with food samples, live music and art exhibits. There is a charge for admission, which is by ticket only. Contact Tara from After 5 Gifts which is located at 4038 Skippack Pike, in front of Skippack Pizza. Feel free to call #610-584-1155 for more information on Skippack’s one and only wine festival!

Children’s Halloween Parade
Dress the kids up in their favorite Halloween costumes and head on over to Skippack Village on Saturday, October 18th! The Halloween Parade begins at 10am at Hotel Fiesole and ends at Mal’s Diner with a treat and craft. Registration is recommended but people who do not register will not be turned away. To register, go to Mal’s American Diner and fill out the registration form or call Mal’s Diner at #610-584-0900 for more info.

Whitpain Township Harvest Festival

Whitpain Township has a ton of exciting things in store for the 2014 Whitpain Community Festival! This year’s event will take place at Montgomery County Community College on October 11th, from 9am-9pm. Headlining performance by Puss N Boots feat. Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper! Check out the Whitpain Township website for more info on this event and more this Fall!

Timeline of Events

9am – Vending area opens
11am – Children’s games and activities, inflatable rides, and food court opens
12pm – Music and dance performances begin
5pm – School of Rock
6pm – Ashley Leone
7pm – Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper
9pm – Fireworks and festival close

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Maple Acres Farm

Hayrides at Maple Acres Farm in Plymouth Meeting will take place every Saturday and Sunday at noon, 1pm and 2pm. Cost to ride is $2 per child and $3 per adult. Additional rides may be offered depending on wagon availability. If you’re looking for fresh produce and a local spot to pick your own veggies, Maple Acres is a great spot to check out. Feel free to call after 12:30pm the day of to get details on the days schedule.

#610-828-7395
2656 Narcissa Road
Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania 19462
Follow On Facebook: Maple Acres Farm

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Meadowbrook Farm-Fall Open House

Enjoy a day of family fun and awesome fall shopping on Saturday, October 11th from 10am-5pm. Activities for kids include pumpkin painting, an obstacle course, a tree climb activity, scavenger hunt, hayrides and the perennial favorite, pumpkin launching. Activity tickets may be purchased on site (cash only).

In addition to kid friendly activities and events, the sales yard at Meadowbrook Farm is bursting with fall color and traditional favorites like pumpkins, gourds and violas. Plus, find interesting perennials, fall grasses, herbs and fall decor to spruce up your home this season. Everyone will enjoy live music throughout the day and tasty refreshments (cash only).

At 11:00am, join the staff and local community to “flip the switch” on the new solar panels donated to Meadowbrook by Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Solar now helps power Meadowbrook greenhouses with renewable energy to help grow beautiful plants and flowers for your garden. The Meadowbrook gift shop will also have great seasonal shopping for home décor and garden accessories, including garden gear and tools.

1633 Washington Ln Meadowbrook, PA 19046
(215) 887-5900
Meadowbrook Farms: http://meadowbrookfarm.org/

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Varner Farms

Saturday & Sundays, September 28th-October 27th
Keeping it fresh and local is what Varner Farms is all about! Bring the family out to support this great local farm all throughout October! Visitors are able to take a ride on their horse-drawn & tractor-drawn wagon rides which tour the expansive 90 acre farm. See below for a list of fall activities and check out Varner Farms for more info.

What to Do

Pumpkin painting
Make your own scarecrow
Face painting
Farm Animals
Mini Straw Bale Maze
Pedal Tractors
Cattle Roping
Kiddy Wagon Train
Fresh Local Veggies & Produce

Varner Farms
746 S. Trappe Road
Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426

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Fall at Elmwood Park Zoo
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Harvest Fest

Einstein Medical Center Montgomery presents Elmwood Park Zoo’s annual Harvest Fest beginning on Sunday, September 28th! The fall-themed festival will take place every Sunday from 12:00pm to 3:00pm up until November 9th. Visitors to the zoo can expect to find games, crafts, food specials, rides, hay-bale and corn mazes, animal interactions, bison feeding and so much more! Guests will also have an opportunity to build their own scarecrow to be entered into EPZ’s Scarecrow Contest!

Select days of Harvest Fest will feature unique live performances. The following is a schedule of entertainers:

October 26th
1:00pm – WHYY’s Dino Train

Check back soon for details regarding additional performances. Harvest Fest is free with Zoo admission. For more information, contact Guest Services at #610.277.3825 x 222 or visit, http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org.

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Zoo Snooze!

Elmwood Zoo needs your help! Someone has taken food from the animals and no one knows who or where to find it! Join the ranks as an honorary Zootective to find the culprit! Along the way, you’re kids will learn about animal footprints, diets, and much more!

Tickets to Zoo Snooze are $50 per person and $30 per member (kids under 3 are free). Price includes admission, dinner, activities, a movie under the stars, s’mores by the campfire, and breakfast in the morning! The Overnight Investigation takes place on Friday, October 10th. Click here to register!

Add a Souvenir Campout Kit that includes a safari hat, flashlight, and binoculars for only $15 more! Space is limited so be sure to reserve your spot in advance. Please note: Online registration closes on the Wednesday before each campout. After this date, registration must be completed by phone.

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The Morris Arboretum

Fall Festival

Don’t miss a weekend of autumn fun at the Morris Arboretum! The Fall Festival is happening on Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th from 12pm-3pm. This annual event has become a tradition for many local families as the Arboretum offers so many great things to do for the young ones. Please note: Due to the forecast for rain on Saturday, October 4th this event will take place from 12:00 – 3:00pm. Some activities will be held indoors at the Visitor Center. See below for a list of times and events!

Saturday, October 4th – 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Sunday, October 5th – 10:00am – 3:00pm
Free with admission. Some activities have an additional fee, see below.

Activities include:

Make your own scarecrow
($20 or $15 if you recycle your frame from a previous year. All materials included.)
Take home a pumpkin (market price)
Pumpkin painting (free)
Henna Art 11:00am – 2:00pm (additional fee)
Apple tasting (free)
Apples for purchase (market price)
Special Animal Guests from the Elmwood Park Zoo will be visiting from 12pm-3pm both days

*LEGO® Owl!
The ColonialLUG (LEGO® User Group) will be coming to Fall Festival from 12:00 – 3:00pm both days to facilitate the building of a large LEGO® version of the Arboretum’s very own, “Morris the Merrie Little Owl”. Under the direction of ColonialLUG members, children will assemble bricks to contribute a piece of the owl. Stick around and watch the owl grow! The owl will be disassembled at day’s end on Saturday for a fresh start on Sunday. There will also be a table with a variety of bricks for free play.
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Scarecrow Walk

The 7th Annual Scarecrow Walk & Design Contest is going down this October at Morris Arboretum! Event dates are Saturday October 4th through Sunday October19th. This years theme is “Heroes and Villains”….which side will you be choosing? Bring the family and kids out to see more than 30 scarecrows aligned down Oak Allee, and then vote for your favorite.

Check out our preview video and get excited for this year’s creative entries!

Morris Arboretum of the Univeristy of Pennsylvania
100 E. Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19118
#215-247-5777

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Upper Merion Township

Barktoberfest

The Upper Merion Farmers Market is calling all dogs in the local community to come out for Barktoberfest! On Saturday October 4th, our four legged friends and their owners are encouraged to participate in the market’s 2nd annual Barktoberfest celebration. Barktoberfest will feature contests, costume judging, and canine portraits. The events begin at 11am with a musical dog contest that is akin to musical chairs. In this contest, the dogs that can sit the fastest win the competition. Following this Barktoberfest challenge, dogs are invited to participate in a costume contest that will be judged by local elected officials in Upper Merion Township. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be distributed to the local animal shelters that frequent the farmers market each week. All dogs that participate in Barktoberfest will receive a bandana scarf and a small bag of dog treats.
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Oktoberfest!

Join the Upper Merion Farmers’ Market as they celebrate Oktoberfest with Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company (MONTCO 49)! The following food will be on hand for just $8: Knockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Hard Pretzels, and Birch Beer. Live entertainment will also be featured! Proceeds benefit UMFM and Swedesburg VFCSaturday. Event takes place on October 11th form 9:00am – 1:00pm.l

Upper Merion Farmers Market
175 West Valley Forge Road
King of Prussia,PA 19406
Website: http://www.UpperMerionFarmersMarket.org/
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Bavarian Oktoberfest at St. Catherine in Horsham
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St. Catherine’s authentic Bavarian Oktoberfest will be featuring classic German music by the famous Schuhplattlers Bavarian Dancers. The festivities will be held from 6pm-10pm on Saturday, October 4th. Check out what you can expect to eat and drink below…Prost!

Food and Beverages ala carte Menu:

Bratwurst (pork) $5
Weiswurst (veal):$5
Wieners and rolls: $2
German Potato Salad: $2
Sauerkraut: $2
Pork BBQ and Platters: $TBD
German Beer (12 oz.): $4
Domestic Beer(12 oz.): $3
Glass of Wine: $3
Kegged Root Beer, Lemonade,
Iced tea, Water: $2
Coffee: $1

Adult tickets sold after September 27th will be $6, under 21 (ages 6-20) tickets will be $3.

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Conshohocken Beer Festival

The beer will be flowing in Conshohocken on October 18th as more than 40 breweries head to the borough for it’s annual Beer Festival! Come try selected brews from some of our areas most reputable breweries and stick around for some great food, games and live music.

Where & When
Location: A.A. Garthwaite Stadium
Address: Harry St and E 11th Ave, Conshohocken, PA 19428
Times: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
General Session: 1:00pm to 5:00pm, $40.00 per ticket

Enjoy sampling brews from the Below Deck Bottle Shop (located within Flanigan’s Boat House), first shot at a couple of special sixtels, pairings with local Conshohocken-based food vendors like; The Bacon Jams, Edwards-Freeman Nut Company, Tradestone Confections, light appetizers, and premium cigars from American Royalty Cigars.

Designated Driver: Available All Day, $10.00 per tickets