Free (or almost free) family-friendly fall festivals coming to Greater New Bedford
It’s happening. Summer is almost over. The warmer temps are starting to cool off and the leaves will soon begin to change; fall is on its way.
Fall is the perfect time to be a kid (and an adult!); it’s full of pumpkins, treats, and themed activities to get you through your days.
Just because school has started, doesn’t mean the family adventures and outings have to end. Thankfully the Greater New Bedford area has some good old-fashioned family fun that won’t break the bank.
Pack up the car, grab your sweatshirt, and head out for some fall family fun!
Acushnet Apple – Peach Festival
Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10: Celebrate 42 years of tradition with great entertainment, crafts, food, and fun! From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Long Plain Museum, 1203 Main St., Acushnet. The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. Sunday from Pope Park. Get free admission and parking to all the fun.
Lakeville Fall Family Festival
Saturday, Sept. 16: A day full of fun for all ages is shaping up at the Lakeville Lions Club, 170 Main St., Lakeville. Jump on the bounce house, play games, get your face painted, hit the dunk tank, ride the hay ride, listen to some tunes, and check out the food and craft vendors. Admission is free and the activities are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., a rain date has been scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 17.
Cornerstone Community Church Fall Festival
Saturday, Sept. 23: A day of free fun is planned at the Cornerstone Community Church, 111 Highland Road, Lakeville. Check out the food and games for kids of all ages, touch a truck, Lakeville Fire and Police, vendors selling their crafts, pony rides, face painting and more. Get away for the day with this free fun from noon to 4 p.m.
Fairhaven Village Militia Fall Historical Encampment
Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday Oct. 1, 2023: Take a step back in time as the Fairhaven Village Militia and the Wareham Minutemen and Militia Companies present a weekend historical encampment at Fort Phoenix. Talk to period-costumed men and women about the fort’s history and life during the American Revolution. See military drilling, flintlock musket demonstrations, and period activities such as food preparation and cooking over the campfire, tin smithing, leather working, carpentry, sewing, fire starting, and more.
Admission is free, and it will be open from 10 a.m. to sunset on Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday at Fort Phoenix, Fort Street, Fairhaven. For more information visit https://fairhavenvillagemilitia.blogspot.com/
Manjiro Festival
Saturday, Oct. 7: A Japanese-American festival commemorating Manjiro Nakahama, the first Japanese person to live in America. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be Japanese and American music and food, martial arts demonstrations, taiko drummers, flower arranging, raffles, food and craft booths, a tea ceremony, and much more.
There is free admission to the festival at Center and Walnut Streets, Fairhaven, the bus tour of the Manjiro Trail, Captain Whitfield’s house, and the Old Stone School House. Updated details are posted at http://Whitfield-Manjiro.org.
Old Colony Fall Festival
Saturday, Oct. 14: It’s time for some fall fun at the Old Colony Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 476 North Ave., Rochester. There will be inflatables, caricatures, face painting, crafts, laser tag, and more. Live music will entertain you as you spend your family time. There is a suggested donation of $10 per car.
Fairhaven Kids Fest
Saturday, Oct. 14: Grab your costumes and head to Kids Fest on the lawn of Visitor's Center and Fairhaven High School, 141 Main Street, Fairhaven. This day is all about fun for children and their grownups, it features free activities, handouts, photo opportunities, and entertainment. There will be an array of vendor booths selling products geared toward children or selling food and beverages, baked goods, ice cream, etc. At noon there will be an all-ages costume contest and parade. The Belonging Committee will return with a sensory-friendly safe space, where all ages and abilities can relax, color, play, make new friends, and explore. A list of vendors and activities who are scheduled to participate in the 2023 Kids Fest is here: https://fairhaventours.com/kids-fest-activities-vendors-2023/
Admission is free and the fall family fun is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fall Free Family Fun Festival
Saturday, Oct. 28: It’s time for the annual Mattapoisett Lions Club Fall Free Family Fun Festival will be held at Shipyard Park, Mattapoisett. Tap into that fall vibe from noon to 4 p.m. with hay rides, pumpkin bowling, pin the nose on the pumpkin, a coloring station, music, refreshments, a pumpkin patch, and more.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Fall festivals for families happening on the SouthCoast
