The tantalizing smell of hot apple cider breezes past your nose, the breathtaking sights of the leaves changing right before your eyes paired with the dazzling colors of a grand pumpkin patch, along with the delicious taste of a warm apple pie. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, then you need to take full advantage of the fast-approaching fall festivals. In North Carolina, you can experience everything from spooky hayrides to gorgeous hot air balloon festivals. Thankfully for us, there is a copious amount of festivals right around the corner. In this article, we will be taking a look at four different up-and-coming fall festivals that you’ll just have to experience for yourself.
To start up our list is Vollmer Farm Back-40 Fall Fun Festival. Located in Bunn NC, Vollmer Farm is the perfect place to start off your fall festivities. Starting on September 25th and running all the way to November 7th, the Back-40 Fall Fun Festival is my personal favorite festival for kids. They have an exciting tractor-pulled cow train that goes pretty fast, a giant pit of corn for kids to play in, a massive burlap sack underground slide, a giant jumping pillow that looks like a pumpkin, and on top of all that, phenomenal local ice cream. Personally, I love the banana split they serve that is absolutely loaded with toppings. One of the cool things about this festival is that to get to the farm, you have to go on a short but beautiful hayride. They’re only open on the weekends from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, so schedule a weekend to go before it’s too late.
Every year, Clayton’s Fear Farm is the highlight of most people’s October, starting on October 1st and ending on October 31st. During the day, it may seem like an innocent farm where kids and families can walk through their pumpkin patch, go through the corn maze and partake in a hayride, but when it turns to night in the Clayton area the Farm becomes a haunted experience like no other. Victims have four experiences to pick from: The Black Hole, The Fear Forest Haunted Hayride, The Slaughterhouse, and The Farm House. They have tons of tricks and spooks up their sleeves, so make sure you bring an extra pair of underwear. Not only is it an exhilarating experience leaving you scared for your life, but it also provides great snacks and food for the night. They make some incredible caramel popcorn, the aromas of which are sure to fill the air. Starting at $27 for admission, Fear Farm is the perfect place to go and, maybe, never make it back.
If you’re not a big scare aficionado, then Hubb’s Farm is the place for you. Experience fall as you walk through their massive antique country store. Visitors will have the opportunity to view not only great produce, but also interesting antiques as well. On top of the relaxing country store, Hubb’s Farm has a 15-acre corn maze that was ranked as one of the top 15 corn mazes in America by The Pioneer Woman’s Magazine. They also have a nationally ranked pumpkin patch you can take in to truly experience autumn in North Carolina. Open from now until November 7th, this is the perfect place for a relaxing day outside of the house. Tickets start at 20 dollars, but you can’t put a price on a good time. If you have the opening in your schedule, I would recommend going on either November 5th or 6th so you can not only experience the fall festivities, but also the SAMCO Antiques Festival as well. There is no additional cost for the antique festival if you are already in for the fall festival, so definitely try and get the most bang for your buck if you can.
Moving back to fun for the whole family, we have Franklinton, NC’s very own Frankenfest on Saturday, October 30th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Frankenfest is a free festival that has something to offer for the whole family. This fun, family-friendly festival has everything from costume contests to trunk or treating. This festival also lets families take part in an exhilarating pumpkin decorating contest. On Main Street, you’ll see storefronts decorated with different themes, ranging from the Addams Family to the Nightmare Before Christmas. And just when you think that’s enough, they will also be screening Halloween movies and cartoons. This is the perfect place to bring your kids for a fun day full of surprises.
Fall is an absolutely beautiful and exciting time that needs to be taken advantage of. With the spooks, the hayrides, the wonderful food, and the relaxing farmer’s festivals, what more can you ask for? Do yourself a favor and go to at least one festival this season, even if it’s a short free one. Festivals are a fantastic way to get your mind off the everyday stresses of life. Below you will find the links for the aforementioned festivals along with ones that are definitely worth checking out.