Looking for fall fun in the Fox Valley? Here are some festivals, apple orchards and pumpkin farms
As temperatures fall, people start thinking about apple and pumpkin picking and fall festivals.
Luckily, the Fox Valley and beyond has an abundance of festivals and farms to visit.
Here’s a few to check out if you're feeling autumnal:
Octoberfest and License to Cruise bring music, beer and cars to Appleton
Appleton’s Octoberfest will be held Sept. 30, but unofficially kicks off with the classic car show, License to Cruise, on Sept. 29.
From 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., eventgoers can view more than 400 classic cars, enjoy food and live music along College Avenue and at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center.
On Sept. 30, music will start as early as 9 a.m. and runs all day at several locations in downtown Appleton. The day also includes arts, crafts and a family fun area. Local nonprofit organizations run the food booths to raise money for their groups.
For a full music lineup or more information, visit octoberfestonline.org.
Harvest Moon Fest in New London is marking its 20th anniversary
Mosquito Hill’s Harvest Moon Fest marks its 20th anniversary this year. The event will run noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at N3990 Rogers Road, New London.
The festival has a few changes this year with several buildings under construction, so the event will be held outdoors. Attendees can walk through a maze of painted jack-o-lanterns, take hayrides, and make a craft. There will be a live bird program, a drum circle and a bee program. Concessions will be available for purchase.
Admission is $10 per carload. There is a small fee for some craft projects.
For more information, visit mosquitohill.com or search for "Mosquito Hill Nature Center" on Facebook.
Dream BIG Gala planned for Oct. 5 in Neenah.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin will host its Dream BIG Gala fundraiser Oct. 5. It will be held 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Bridgewood Resort Hotel and Conference Center, 1331 American Dr., Neenah.
The evening will feature the Bigs of the Year awards, live and silent auctions, entertainment and a meal. Proceeds go to providing children facing adversity with strong and engaging, professionally supported one-to-one relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps youth realize and harness their potential by providing life-changing opportunities through community, school and club mentoring programs.
Tickets are $100 per person with corporate full and half tables available. Reserve your seat at secure.qgiv.com/event/dreambiggala2023.
Fox Valley Technical College plans first-ever Artisan Fair
Fox Valley Technical College will hold its first-ever Outdoor Artisan Fair on Oct. 7. It will run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Appleton Campus, 1825 N. Bluemound Drive.
The event will feature local artists and crafters, food trucks and more. Admission is $3 per person.
Proceeds provide emergency assistance to FVTC students.
Pumpkin patches and apple orchards in the Fox Valley
Apple Blossom Orchard & Market, N4366 County A, Black Creek
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
What you’ll find: Does not offer you-pick, but has 19 varieties of apples for sale. Other items include maple syrup, caramel topping, popcorn, jams, apple butter and more. Orders can be placed online for pickup at the market.
Contact: appleblossom.farm
Bauer’s Apple Shed, W7763 Wisconsin Ave., Hortonville
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
What you’ll find: Pre-picked or you-pick apples. More than 15 varieties are available. Other items available include pumpkins, apple wine, honey, jams, apple butter, maple and apple syrup and apple wood (for grilling).
Contact: bauersappleshed.com or 920-757-6187
Cuff Farms, N2299 Ledge Hill Road, Hortonville
Hours: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, through Oct. 29
What you’ll find: A straw slide, rock n’ rollers, combine slide, bale maze, corn maze, small bale maze, bale run, corn stalk tunnel, barn picnic area, corn pool, granary play rooms, duck racers and a barrel train ride. Wagon ride to pick your pumpkin has a fee. Food and other items will be available for purchase.
Admission: Free, though the wagon ride for pumpkin picking is $12 per person, free for riders 2 and younger. Ride includes a large pumpkin, two mini pumpkins, two gourds and one piece of corn.
Contact: cuffarms.com, facebook.com/CuffFarms or 920-779-4788
Heritage Orchard, N2963 Lakeshore Drive, Chilton
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
What you’ll find: Pick your own pumpkins and apples. The market includes seasonal fruits, pumpkins, honey, popcorn, apple pies, cider apple cider donuts, caramel apples and more. There’s also a full bakery and a craft loft.
Contact: heritageorchardwi.com or 920-849-2158
Hofacker’s Hillside Orchard, W3964 Wege Road, Appleton.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
What you’ll find: Pre-picked or you-pick apples, pears and pumpkins and a corn maze. Store carries cider, jams, caramel apples, honey, maple syrup and more. There will also be fall decor available, including mums, corn stalks, straw bales and gourds.
Contact: 920-734-0780, hofackers@new.rr.com
The Little Farmer, N9438 Hwy 151, Malone
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Admission: Free, though there is a charge for some activities.
What you’ll find: Pick your own apples and pumpkins or buy them already picked. There’s a playground, corn maze, barnyard animals, hay rides and more. Items for sale in the store include pies, muffins, apple butter, handmade gifts and more.
Contact: mytlf.com or 920-921-4784
Mulberry Lane Farm, W3190 County Road B, Hilbert
Hours: Varies, visit website for details.
Admission: $14 per person cash or $14.50 credit card, free for children 1 and younger.
What you’ll find: Pick your own pumpkin (included with admission), farm animals, hayrides and more.
Contact: mulberrylanefarmwi.com or 920-989-3130
Peter’s Pumpkin Patch, N181 State 55, Kaukauna
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What you’ll find: Specialty pumpkins, squash, and gourds as well as hay bales, corn stalks, broom corn stalks, and Indian corn.
Contact: facebook.com/PetersPumpkinPatch or 920-243-8411
Polly’s Pumpkin Patch, N4367 WI-57, Chilton
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Admission: Free admission. Corn maze is $9 and wagon rides are $3.
What you’ll find: Farm market store, corn maze, activity area and farm animals. Pumpkins, hay bales and gourds are available for purchase.
Contact: Find "Polly's Pumpkin Patch, LLC" on Facebook, or call 920-849-4819
Sharky’s Orchard, W3045 Emons Road, Appleton
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
What you’ll find: Pre-picked or you-pick apple orchard. Some of their varieties include Zestar, Paula Red, Honeycrisp, Dutchy, Royal Gala and more. Other items for sale include local honey, jam and caramel apples. Cash only.
Contact: Find “Sharky’s Orchard” on Facebook
Sprangers Orchard, W2100 County KK, Kaukauna.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
What you’ll find: Fresh apples and other seasonal fruit, pumpkins, jams, pickles and maple syrup.
Contact: Find “Sprangers Orchard” on Facebook or 920-733-6739
Star Orchard, 253 County CE, Kaukauna.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
What you’ll find: Primarily a pick-your-own orchard, but the orchard store offers prepicked apples, 24 different kinds of salsa, caramel dip and more. Also, caramel apples and fresh apple cider are available on the weekends.
Contact: starorchard.com or 920-759-9294
Corn mazes
You’ll have to travel a bit outside the Fox Valley, but these corn mazes will make it worth your time.
Waldvogel’s Farm, N7416 County I, Juneau
Hours: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Admission: $15.99 per person, 4 and older; 3 and younger are admitted free. Available online.
What you’ll find: There are more than 70 attractions at this pumpkin farm, including the corn maze. Recommended for ages 7 and older.
Contact: waldvogelfarm.com
Red Barn Corn Maze, 7125 County J, Forestville
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, through October. Haunted corn maze is open at 6 p.m. Fridays in October.
Admission: $10 per person, 2 and younger admitted free. Haunted corn maze is $15.
What you’ll find: 10-acre corn maze, hay ride, barn animals, pumpkin patch and more. Food, drink and other items available for purchase.
Contact: redbarnmaze.com
Creek Bed Country Farmacy, N2767 Mountford Road, Poynette
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Admission: $15 adults, $13 ages 3 to 12; Friday admission is $2 less. Pumpkins are not included with admission.
What you’ll find: Corn maze of 18 acres and more than 6 miles of paths, 2-acre maze, farm animals, gift shop, pumpkins and more.
Contact: https://www.creekbedfarmacy.com
Basse’s Taste of Country, 3190 County Line Q, Colgate
Hours: 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends
Admission: Prices vary. Tickets are available online. The farm is cashless and accepts only credit, debit and mobile payments.
What to expect: Small corn maze features a farm style murder mystery game while the large corn maze tests your trivia knowledge. There are pumpkins available pre-picked or you-pick and many other attractions and special events.
Contact: https://www.bassesfarms.com
Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@gannett.com or 920-996-7241.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Fox Valley fall events guide, kicking off with Octoberfest in Appleton
