MANSFIELD — Can you smell it? The aroma of cinnamon, apple cider and pumpkin spice? Fall is here.
With it comes a flurry of fun-filled activities that can be enjoyed in the great outdoors—the perfect backdrop for taking in the beauty of autumn.
Richland County is host to many family-friendly events and activities this fall, several of which are listed below.
Apple-picking: No fall is complete without a trip to the local orchard for some apple-picking. Stop by Apple Hill Orchards at 1175 Lexington-Ontario Rd. in Mansfield for a peck (and some apple donuts).
Corn maze: J&J Rietschlin Farm will have a five-acre corn maze in honor of the 20-year anniversary of 9/11. There will also be food, hay rides and several games and activities for all ages. J&J Rietschlin Farm, located at 5482 St. Rt. 61 S. in Shelby, will be open Saturdays from from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. starting Sept. 25 through Oct. 24. Admission is $10; no charge for children 4 and under.
Prairie Peddler Marketplace: This outdoor marketplace features an array of artisan booths and food, as well as a Kid Zone with many activities for children. The festivities begin this weekend, Sept. 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and continue the following weekend, Oct. 2 and 3. The admission fee for adults is $8; no charge kids 12 and under.
Ohio Heritage Days: Travel back in time at Malabar Farm, where there will be educational displays, an 18th-century living history camp, crafts, primitives, Civil War demonstrations, antiques, wagon rides and antique tractors. This free event takes place Sept. 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be a barn dance from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and archeological displays on Sunday. Bring cash for food and vendor purchases.
Octoberfest: Visit Wayne’s Country Market, where there will be a variety of free activities for children, including straw fun, zip line, rope swing, slides and a corn bin. These activities will be offered throughout the whole month of October during store hours. Wayne’s Country Market is located at 2440 Lexington Ave. in Mansfield.
Food Truck Festival: Get your chow on at this third annual event, held at Mansfield’s South Park on Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to to 7 p.m. South Park is located at 100 Brinkerhoff Ave. There’s no entry fee.
The Haunted Carrousel: This event will take place at Richland Carrousel Park from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1 (as part of First Friday Fright festivities). During this time the carrousel will run backwards. Guests are encouraged to wear a costume to get a free ride. There will be a costume contest with prizes for three different age groups at 7 p.m.
American Heritage Days Weekend: Watch history come to life during the American Heritage Days Weekend. Presented by the Richland Early American Center for History, this event features crafts, trades, demonstrations, blacksmithing, games and activities, and civilian and military reenactments. The event takes place at South Park in Mansfield on Oct. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fall Farm Days: Enjoy some time on the farm during Alpaca Meadows’ Fall Farm Days. Attendees can watch as the alpacas graze in the pasture, observe pumpkin-felting or yarn-spinning demonstrations, and grab some lunch and sweet treats from Cruizin’ Smoothies Food Truck and Tae’s Bakery. The event will be held at 1200 Rock Rd. in Mansfield on Oct. 2 and 3 from 12 to 4 p.m.
Honkin’ Haulin’ Hands On Trucks: This free touch-a-truck event gives youngsters the chance to check out a variety of vehicles, play some games and get their own keychain. It will take place at Marshall Park in Ontario, Oct. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Craftober: This weekend craft show will be held at the Richland County Fairgrounds on Oct. 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2; children 12 and under are free.
The Great Pumpkin Glow: Kingwood Center Gardens will be aglow with jack-o-lanterns for two weekends, Oct. 16-17 and Oct. 23-24 from 5 to 10 p.m. Enjoy an evening of fall activities, live music, food trucks, Scarecrow Row, the Greenhouse Glow, an Enchanted Forest, and Kingwood’s famous glowing pumpkin path. Admission is $8 for members, $10 for non-members and free for those 6 and under. Advanced timed ticket registration is required. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Fall Hike for Health: Enjoy a day of hiking at Malabar Farm State Park. Sponsored by Richland Public Health, this free event takes place Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign in anytime at the Visitor Center. Maps and refreshments will be available. Call 419-774-4772 for more information.
Fall Family Festival: Stop by the Ohio Bird Sanctuary for some family fun Oct. 16. There will be face painting, nature crafts, cooking over a fire, candle-making and birds of prey presentations. This fundraising event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $15 per car for members and $25 per car for non-members.
Creepy Critters!: Visit Gorman Nature Center on Oct. 26 in your favorite Halloween costume for an afternoon of snakes, spiders and other creepy crawlies. There will be a Halloween-themed craft and snack, as well as an end-of-the-year celebration for animal feeding day, which begins at 3:30 p.m. Creepy Critters will follow from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The event is tailored to children ages 3-12, but all are welcome to attend. For additional information, call Gorman Nature Center at 418-884-3764.
Ontario Haunted Hollow Trail: The Ontario Recreation Department will host its third annual Haunted Hollow Trail on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. A family-friendly trail will be available from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a scary trail from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The admission fee is $5 for ages 17 and under, and $10 for 18 and up. This event is a fundraiser for school and nonprofit organizations and the Ontario Recreation Department.