Area residents don’t have to look far for fall fun
Nearby festivals offer chance to create memories
Trending
The days are now noticeably shorter. And the temperature seems to dip just a little bit lower every night.
Those are sure signs that fall is here.
The long lazy days of summer may be over, but that doesn't mean there are no more chances for fun outside. And that fun can be found close to Fort Dodge, which is an added bonus with gasoline prices through the roof and unlikely to come down anytime soon.
In the Fort Dodge area, there are some remarkable opportunities for families to enjoy this fall.
There are long running festivals that are returning this year with fun, food and of course, pumpkins.
The first of those festivals starts this weekend – Pumpkinfest at Twin Lakes Bible Camp near Manson. It starts this weekend and continues each weekend through Oct. 17-18.
Pumpinkfest features a three-story treehouse, corn maze, pumpkin patch, corn pool, trolley ride and rubber ducky races. It also has a cannon fueled by compressed air that fires pumpkins and other squashes for remarkable distances. We suspect that may be a big hit with a lot of boys and their dads and grandpas.
Apple Fest at the Community Orchard north of Fort Dodge is another multi weekend event which has a long history. This fall is the 40th anniversary of the event. It begins the weekend of Oct. 3-4 and continues every weekend through Oct. 17-18. In addition to the traditional trip to the pumpkin patch and the Back 40 playground, there will be a classic car and truck show and a tractor show.
Pumpkins and Ponies at SpringVale Farm in Humboldt County will be held Oct. 10-11.
This event on the farm of Bob and Lonnie Larson had an interesting start. The way Lonnie Larson once explained it to The Messenger, they planted pumpkin seeds one year and the result was a huge bumper crop. They answered the question of "what are we going to do with all these pumpkins?" by inviting people to the farm. They offered pony rides to entertain the kids. The event grew from there, evolving into today's two-day festival that draws people from all across Iowa and even from other states.
Think about that for a second. People come from other states to enjoy Pumpkins and Ponies. And if they're coming from other states to go to that event, they are probably coming from other states for Pumpkinfest and Apple Fest.
But those of us who live in the Fort Dodge area don't have to travel far at all to get to any of these festivities. They are just about in our back yard. So we should take advantage of them.
Our area is blessed with some good fall fun options for families. So gather up the family and get out there. Pick a pumpkin, get lost in a corn maze and sip some cider. Those are the things that make memories to last a lifetime.