The Best Fall Festivals & Harvest Celebrations Within Driving Distance of Evansville & Owensboro
When you think of autumn you think of pumpkin spice lattes, trips to the pumpkin patch, and scary movies, but also the many activities associated with the change of foliage. Fall carnivals, county fairs, craft shows, and festivals are some of the best ways to enjoy the shortening days. Here are all the upcoming events I have found within driving distance of home!
New Harmonie State Park Harvest Craft Fair- Oct. 5th
Located in New Harmonie, Indiana this opulent craft fair will be held on Saturday, October 5th from 9 am to 4 pm. With over 100 vendors registered for this event, you better bring your walking shoes! There will be so many wonderful things to see and purchase you will want to make sure to not miss out on peeking at every booth!
Afraid of working up an appetite while you are there? Not to worry, there are going to be multiple concession options as well as local food trucks right there on-site at the state park. While you're enjoying your meal and walkabout of the fair you'll be able to boot scoot boogie to music put on by "DJ Joe"
Are the kiddos tagging along? Wouldn't want to leave them out of the fun! There are many kid-friendly things to do during the Harvest Craft Fair for the littles and littles at heart. Activities, such as bounce houses, face painting, and free children's fall crafts. Fall crafts have me remembering the folk corn husk dolls at the harvest festival I would make each year. You're sure to create great memories for the young ones! I know fall fairs were something that my family attended each year growing up in Utica, Kentucky and I reflect on those memories with a great fondness.
While there, you've got to enter the Haunted Harmonie Raffle, there are amazing prizes up for grabs. The drawing will be held on the day of the fair.
Bowling Green International Festival 2024 Sept. 28th
Ever wanted to travel the world, but limited on travel funds or time? Well, head to Bowling Green, Kentucky on the last Saturday in September. Become a globetrotter all in one swing at the Bowling Green International Festival. The town often affectionally referred to as simply BG, is the Bluegrass's melting pot of diversity and cultures from all around the world.
This festival is one of a kind and is one of, if not the largest event that BG hosts outside of the racing circuits at Beech Bend Raceway. Nearly every food truck that Bowling Green has to offer will be here, along with booths set up representing numerous cultures. It's the best place to be to experience global cuisine.
An array of beautiful cultural backgrounds will be proudly displayed from Japan, Mexico, India, Hawaii, Native American, China, Wales, Scotland, South Korea, and Thailand, just to, you know, give you an idea. That list is just the tip of the iceberg. Tickets at the gate are $10, but if bought online in advance you'll receive a discounted rate.
The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival- Starts Oct. 6th
In 2024 The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival is celebrating 103 years of bringing joy, excitement, and happy memories to Evansville, Indiana. The Fall Festival's kick-off is less than a month away on October 6th! Did you know, that this is the largest fall festival in the country? With an average of 200,000 attendees each year, the event has become explosive in size.
The festival incorporates many forms of entertainment from carnival rides, talent competitions, over 130 food trucks/stands, and many associated events. There are King and Queen contests, the Lighthouse Parade, and live bands. To view a full schedule of events visit their website.
https://www.nutclubfallfestival.com/schedule
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati- Sept. 19th- 22nd
Cincinnati, Ohio is home to the nation's largest Oktoberfest and falls just behind West Side Nut Clubs Fall Festival as the largest Fall Festival in the US. This annual autumn favorite started in 1976 and has grown to cover a staggering six city blocks on the banks of the Ohio River. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is a free event that puts on well-known events such as the Running of The Wieners! An average of 100 Dachshunds sprint down a lane in this "hot dog" race each year. The owners dress their pups up in hot dog costumes and honestly, it sounds like an adorable and humorous spectacle.
There is more to this event than just some four-legged hotdogs however, take part in the world's largest chicken dance! Can't you hear the annoying but catchy tune already? It won't be the only song of the event as there will be plenty of live music from Polka to some old-time Rock-and-Roll.
Oktoberfest is all about hops and brews, and this one certainly has a variety for the crowds. Samuel Adams is the seasonal choice of many but the options that will be available are endless. There will be over 20 booths dedicated to beers and lagers, but please remember to drink responsibly and never drink and drive.
This event is scheduled from September 19th through the 22nd, so you better clear your calendars if they're already booked! For more information on the events of the weekend and the beer guide, visit their website.
https://oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/
The Mystic Arts Faire Fall Fest 24'- Sept. 21st
Bowling Green's only Mystic Arts Faire is set to be held in beautiful downtown Bowling Green at Circus Square Park. The day will be packed with exciting and unique activities for all ages, including the artwork of over 40 local area artists. It's a fantastic opportunity to purchase some Kentucky-crafted one-of-a-kind items.
There will be food trucks on-site, and Bowling Green has some amazing food truck options, it will be hard to choose where to dine from! You're invited to dress up in costume, there will be free art demonstrations and workshops. A "kid zone" will be in place for the littles with fun crafts to partake in. Admission is free! For more information on Bowling Green's Mystic Arts Faire visit them on their social media.
https://www.facebook.com/MysticArtsAssociation
World Chicken Festival- Sept. 26th- 29th
Why did the chicken cross the road? Well, to get to the World Chicken Festival of course! As someone who has lived in Kentucky her whole life, I must say this is one I have never heard of, but hey when in Rome, or London, Kentucky, or whatever the saying is!
The World Chicken Festival has been taking place once a year since 1990. The inaugural festival was held to mark what would have been Colonel Harland Sanders's 100th birthday. Col. Sanders opened a cafe in London with his nephew Lee Cummings, known for "Lee's Famous Chicken" Restaurant chain. Did you know that they were related? I didn't either!
So, what in the cluck is there to do at The World Chicken Festival? Well, that is an egg-cellent question! There will be live music with entertainers such as Sneaky Pete, Hannah Dasher, Uncle Kracker, and many more names! For a full concert lineup check out the festival's website. There will be arts and crafts, food (of course), carnival rides, and a parade. It would not be a quality event without the world's largest stainless steel skillet!
Cheekwood Harvest- Sept. 14th- Oct. 27th
The historical estate of Cheekwood, is located just outside the downtown Nashville is arguably one of the best places to immerse yourself into the harvest season. With more than a staggering 75,000 pumpkins on display, it's sure to set the Autumn tone. The beer garden at Cheekwood is no county fair affair, it is gorgeous and the place to enjoy live tunes and your favorite brew. There are also a multitude of food trucks ready to indulge any craving you may have!
Visit the village made of pumpkins and pose for a photo while there! Meander through the Bradford Robertson Color Garden and enjoy upwards of 4,000 chrysanthemums! The perfect way to end your visit at the estate is by selecting your pumpkin to take home to carve up, you've got to keep those spooky spirits away on All Hallows Eve after all.
https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/cheekwood-harvest/
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