The end of summer is almost here and you can almost feel the fall chill in the morning air. It’s that time of year to celebrate the harvest season with the entire family by visiting area farms and nurseries. Here’s a list of a few harvest festivals to check out.
Bauman’s Harvest Festival: With more than 30 activities for kids of all ages, it’s no wonder that this has been a popular family fall destination for 37 years. The farm is transformed with mazes, obstacle courses, giggle-worthy rides, oodles of farm animals and more. Harvest Festival runs September 21 through October 30 from 9 a.m.−5 p.m. Prices for opening weekend September 21−22 are $25 for ages 3−54 and $15 for seniors 55 and older; Saturdays and Sundays, $30 for ages 3−54 and $20 for seniors 55 and older; Tuesdays−Fridays, $20 for ages 3−54 and $15 for seniors 55 and older; Friday, October 11, $30 for ages 3−54 and $20 for seniors 55 and older. Bauman’s Farm and Garden is at 12989 Howell Prairie Road N.E. in Gervais. For more information or to purchase tickets
French Prairie Gardens Sunflower Fest: Celebrate the arrival of fall at the farm and stroll acres upon acres of so many different varieties of blooming sunflowers. Enjoy the Farm Bar featuring beer and hard cider, farm market, bakery, food, and specialty drinks. Enjoy over 15 different activities for family fun including tractor wagon rides to the sunflower fields, the Double Super Mega Ride & Slide, tire swings, giant bubble station, live music on Saturdays and Sundays and more. The festival runs September 14−19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets online are $19.99 for ages 2 and older and $24.99 for ages 2 and older at the gate. French Prairie Gardens is at 17673 French Prairie Road N.E. in St. Paul. For information or to purchase tickets
E.Z. Orchards HarvestFest: Find the perfect pumpkin in the Scarecrow Field, test your navigation skills and learn fun facts about Oregon agriculture along the way in the Corn Oregon Maze, see the farm from a different perspective via the hay ride, visit the farm animals and enjoy games and activities. HarvestFest is September 28−October 30 from 9 a.m.−6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.−5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.−5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $12 per person for those over age 2 on weekends and $5 per person on weekdays from 9 a.m.−noon and $7 per person from noon−6 p.m. E.Z. Orchards is at 5504 Hazelgreen Road N.E. in Salem. For more information
Hood River Harvest Fest: The valley’s best farms and orchards bring their bounty to Hood River Harvest Fest with stands full of produce, giant displays of apples, pears, squash, raw honey, beautiful flowers, local plants, herbs, and more. Stock up for the season with basketfuls this autumn’s harvest. There will also be arts and crafts from vendors, food and live music. The Fest is 1 p.m. −6 p.m. October 11, 10 a.m.−6 p.m. October 12 and 10 a.m.−5 p.m. October 13. Tickets are $10 for October 11, $12 for October 12−13 and $20 for a weekend pass for all days. The event is on Portway Avenue in Hood River. For more information or to purchase tickets