Hayrides and Halloween: Free, or almost free things to do with kids in the SouthCoast
Fall is a busy time of year.
Kids are back into school routines and the bustle of the holiday season is closing in fast.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t still a lot of fun to be had!
And affordable family-friendly fun, at that.
You don’t need to spend a lot on a day out in order to have a great time.
In that spirit, we’ve put together a list of free, or nearly free, things to do this fall, for kids or those who are still kids at heart.
Here are some fun fall things to do around the SouthCoast:
Music and live performances: Somerset celebrates 50th Musictown Festival
The Somerset Friends of Music are celebrating the 50th Musictown Festival, which began Oct. 5 and runs through Oct. 14. This year is a special alumni year, so past alumni will be participating in performances. It will all culminate with Musictown Grand Day, with a parade and field shows. We’ve got everything you need to know about the festivities, and the parade, at HeraldNews.com. For the latest updates, visit the Musictown Festival website.
What to know before you go: The 50th Musictown Festival coming to Somerset in October
Baking and a costume parade: 10th annual Crantoberfest
Celebrate all things cranberry, with the Middleboro Tourism Committee’s 10th annual Crantoberfest, on Saturday, Oct. 14. Held from noon to 5 p.m., at 10 Nickerson Ave., Middleboro, admission and parking are both free. There will be a cranberry bake-off, with prizes awarded by judges. A new Ms. Crantoberfest will be crowned. There will also be cranberry-related games, a beer garden, food, and other vendors. Plus, a kids costume parade, led by alpacas. For more information, visit the Facebook event page, or send an email to discoverMiddleborough@gmail.com.
Haunted happenings: Fear, horror, and ghosts on the SouthCoast
Costume contest: Fairhaven Kids Fest
On Saturday, Oct. 14, grab those costumes and head to Kids Fest on the lawn of the Visitor’s Center and Fairhaven High School, 141 Main St., Fairhaven. Held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., admission is free. They’ll have lots of free activities, handouts, photo opportunities, and entertainment. There will also be food and beverages for sale, and other vendors. The Belonging Committee will have a sensory-friendly safe space, where guests of all ages and abilities can relax, color, play, make new friends, and explore. At noon, there will an all-ages costume contest and parade. For the latest updates and a list of vendors, visit https://fairhaventours.com/kids-fest-activities-vendors-2023.
Arts and America: 'Let Freedom Ring' and 'Rightfully Yours' at Heritage State Park
Creative Arts Network presents “Let Freedom Ring” at Heritage State Park, 100 Davol St., Fall River, on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of interactive activities and a special performance of “Your Vote Is Magic!” from award-winning illusionist Lyn Dillies. There will be an exhibit, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, “Rightfully Yours”: displaying images related to the 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments. There will also be live music with Judy Conrad and The Fipple Fluters, as well as people in period dress re-enacting moments in American history. This event, which is free and open to the public, is funded through a Mass. Cultural Council grant and sponsored by Creative Arts Network Inc., in partnership with DCR/Fall River Heritage State Park and the Lafayette Durfee House. For more information, contact Sandy Dennis at dendenllc@outlook.com or 508-294-5344.
Celebrate fall: Ocean Spray Fall Harvest Celebration, cranberry harvest at Patriot Place
Patriot Place in Foxboro will host the 13th annual Ocean Spray Fall Harvest Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be foliage, live music, fall-themed activities, arts and crafts, and appearances by Pat Patriot and the New England Patriots cheerleaders. The Ocean Spray Cranberry Harvest will be held at the cranberry bog behind Bass Pro Shop, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit patriot-place.com.
Foodies of all ages: Garlic Roast at Tiverton Farmers Market
The first-ever Garlic Roast at Tiverton Farmers Market will be held on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tiverton Town Farm Recreation Area, 3588 Main Rd. Admission and parking are free. There will be all kinds of garlic-infused and garlicky specialty items, from local vendors like Spoon and Board, The Cheese Wheel Village Market, The Perfect Empanada, Dee’s Little Sweets, Brightside Seafood, and many more. We’ve got everything you need to know before you go at HeraldNews.com. For the latest updates, visit www.tivertonfarmersmarket.com.
Get outside: Celebrate Owl-ween with Audubon
Join the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, for a different kind of Halloween celebration. On Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they’re hosting a day of fright-free tricks and treats with Owl-ween. In addition to exploring outdoors, there will be games, crafts, and owl presentations. Costumes are encouraged, and guests of all ages are welcome. Tickets are $7 for kids, and $5 for member kids. Registration is required at asi.org/calendar.
Fun with history: Annual Liberty & Union Festival in Taunton
Celebrating Taunton’s history, the Liberty & Union Festival draws visitors from all around. Held each year to commemorate Taunton raising the Liberty and Union flag in opposition to British rule in 1774, this year’s festival will be on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free event is hosted by the Old Colony History Museum, 66 Church Green, Taunton. Historical re-enactors bring the past to life — including the annual flag-raising — and there will be loads of family-friendly activities, vendors, food, crafts, and unique artisan products. For more information, visit oldcolonyhistorymuseum.org.
Corn maze: Find your way out at Buzzards Bay Brewing
Get a little lost at Buzzards Bay Brewing, 98 Horseneck Rd., Westport. But in a fun way! They’ve got a corn maze for all ages, open Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 to 6 p.m. They’ve also got a scavenger hunt. Corn maze tickets are sold on site: $10 for ages 12 and up, $8 for ages 4 to 11, and children under 3 get in for free. For more information, visit buzzardsbrew.com.
Hayrides and pumpkin bowling: Fall Free Family Fun Festival
The Mattapoisett Lions Club is hosting the seventh annual Fall Free Family Fun Festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, from noon to 4 p.m. at Shipyard Park, 12 Water St., Mattapoisett. They’ll have hayrides, pumpkin bowling, pin the nose on the pumpkin, a pumpkin patch, a coloring station, music, refreshments, and more. This event is free, for all ages, and no registration is required. Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.
Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Free fall SouthCoast events and festivals for kids
