The Fall is the time of year when the mountains become an endless hue of oranges, yellows, and red, and the air is crisp making it perfect for a hike or trail run. With the changing of the season also comes the annual mountain fair, setting up of corn mazes, local festivals, and advertisements for apple picking at nearby farms. With so much going on, it can be hard not to want to go to every single event or enjoy everything about the season, but no matter which event is chosen, memories will be made and fun will be had. So, pack up the vehicle with friends or family and head out to enjoy fall in Asheville, North Carolina.
Corn Mazes:
- Eliada Home-this is possibly the most popular corn maze, and most young kid friendly, in the area. Open Sept. 16th-Oct. 31st, Wednesday-Sunday, there is an easy maze and then the big maze. Every year, the design of the maze is different. There is also corn chucking, fast slides, a corn kernel box (like a sand box), hay maze, hay rides, spider web climbs, jumping pillow, storybook trails, and pumpkins. There is snack items and food available, but it might be a good idea to bring a picnic lunch or dinner when visiting.
- Hickory Nut Gap Farm-Located in Fairview, N.C., this is considered by many locals, the best con maze and hayride around. The farm not only sells produce and meat on site and at farmer markets, it also sells them at grocery stores and restaurants in and out of the area. For the fall, they offer a corn maze, nature walk, trice trail, animal petting, hay climb, cider press, and for extra cost, hay rides, kiddie cart rides, and horse rides. There is a picnic area, tours of the farm are still available, along with a pumpkin patch and apple orchard, and before leaving, be sure to visit the farm store.
Festivals and Event:- Apple Festival-Sept. 4-7, Hendersonville, N.C. This is the official kick-off for fall in the mountains of North Carolina. Not only is there apple everything from cider to donuts, there are crafters, entertainers, a 4 mile run on Saturday morning, a huge car show, rides and activities for children, and it is all located in what has become known as the best kept secret in the mountains, gorgeous downtown Hendersonville.
- Railfest-For anyone who loves the railroad, travel to Bryson City this labor day weekend, enjoy history of the railroads, rides on the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad, music, dancing, food, and more.
- Mountain State Fair-Sept. 11th-20th, at the WNC Agricultural Center. This is definitely the BIG event in Western N.C. The rides are fast, fun, and a bit scary, the food great (fried everything), there are crafts, and music.
- Heritage Weekend Folk Art Center-Sept. 19th-20th, the Folk Art Center is located off of Highway 74 (aka Charlotte Highway) at the Blue Ridge Parkway exit, take a right and follow the signs to the folk art center. This festival is full of music, crafts, dancing, and the world famous Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle ("mechanical toy consisting of two wooden sticks") Competition (child, adult, and professional). Parking is free and there is trails and picnic areas.
- Greek Festival-Sept. 25-27, this is actually a personal favorite, one that used to be an annual event every year, it is so much fun and if for no other reason, go for the food.
- Halloween Fest-Brevard, N.C., Oct. 31st, this is a huge festival and for families looking for something fun to do on Halloween, this is it! Food, music, costume contest, 5k, 10K and kid fun run, masquerade ball, Chili cookoff, ghost tours, haunted house, music competition, and more. The event kicks off at 7AM and at 6PM Oskar Blues starts there own Halloween fun.
- Oct. 31st-Race the Taps-the last race in the series at Sierra Nevada in Mills River, 4 miles of fun, enjoy a complimentary beer and then go have a Happy Halloween.
- CiderFest-Nov. 7th, that is right, everything cider! This festival is located off of Brevard Road, and for hard cider lovers, a must go to event. There will be music, lots of vendors from N.C., some from VA.., S.C., and V.T. The event features cider making and lasts from 1PM to 5PM.
