Oktoberfest leads long-list of Maury County fall events

As the weather dips in temperature, the leaves change and we set our clocks back an hour, Maury County has a wealth of fall events coming up to ring in the season.

This year's schedule of community gatherings, concerts, comedy shows and fundraisers (not to mention lots of Halloween-themed fun) will kick off this weekend with Columbia's third annual Oktoberfest. While the event is celebrating its third year, the 2022 Oktoberfest will offer many new events.

Having the event at Riverwalk Park was also a vision spearheaded by co-founder Dr. Stephen Porter of Asgard Brewing Co. & Taproom, who passed away in early 2022 shortly after the city approved beer sales for park events.

And as in previous years, proceeds from Oktoberfest will benefit Columbia's local Room in the Inn homeless shelter, located at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

This year's Oktoberfest, which is a 21-and-up event, will take place starting at 6 p.m. Friday and will feature multiple craft breweries, independent brewers and food trucks, as well as live music from Box of Rox.

Competitive events will include the inaugural Running of the Wieners race and costume contest for Dachshund dog owners, as well as a stein hold, keg toss and keg roll.

Tickets are $40 and available at the gate or online at www.EventBrite.com.

Halloween bashes, parties and festivals

The haunting season will feature many festivals, charity fundraisers and other various "boo bashes" leading up to another ghostly Haunting in The District in downtown Columbia.

Tour Columbia's "hidden gem" under candlelight as The Athenaeum, 808 Athenaeum St., will host Athenaeum by Candlelight from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30. Admission is $5

Baxter's Mercantile, 808 S. Garden St., will host a special Witches Night Out from 5-8 p.m. Friday Oct. 7 as part of downtown Columbia's popular First Fridays.

In Spring Hill, Historic Oaklawn Plantation will be the site for this year's Whole Hog Festival, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. The event will feature live music, a kids zone and lots of good eating.

Bleu 32 will once again host its popular Big Bleu Pickin' Party, inviting patrons and guests to shop among "lots of great junk," while also enjoying local food trucks, live music and more. The event is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 in the public parking lot at the intersection of East 7th and Woodland Streets.

Center of Hope will once again host its annual Boo Bash starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at The Memorial Building, 123 W. 7th St. Tickets are $55 per person and are available at www.TicketTailor.com, with proceeds benefiting Center of Hope. In addition to a night of dancing and food provided by Don Pepe's, the event will also include an auction and costume contest.

aMuse'um Children's Museum invites all mothers and their sons to its upcoming MOMster Bash, which will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at The Memorial Building, 123 W. 7th St.

Runners and wine lovers are invited to Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 794 Ridgetop Road, who will host a Haunted Wine 5k on Sunday, Oct. 30. Entry fees range from $10-$25. For more information, visit the event's page at www.RunSignUp.com.

Wrapping up October's Halloween events will be the always popular Haunting in The District, once again taking place in downtown Columbia on Monday, Oct. 31. The event will feature multiple booths handing out candy, local vendors and live entertainment on the square.

Pumpkin patches, haunted trails and family fun

The fall season isn't complete without picking out a few pumpkins, watching movies and getting a few scares.

Visit Maury County Park for the month-long Pumpkin Hunt for a chance to win prizes and spooky treats. Follow a series of clues throughout the month and enter to win, with prizes including a large pumpkin and goody bag. For more information, competition rules and how to enter, email emcclain@maurycounty-tn.gov.

Visit Maury County's popular haunted trails this season as Miller's Thrillers, 1431 Carters Creek Pike, opens for the season Saturday, Oct. 1, and will run each weekend through Oct. 29, as well as Friday, Nov. 11.

Creepy Hollow Haunted Woods, 2133 John Brown Road in Spring Hill, will open Friday, Sept. 30 and will have its annual run every weekend through Halloween.

Maury County Parks & Recreation will also wrap up this season's Movies in the Park by screening the hallowed classic "Hocus Pocus" at Maury County Park starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.

Bring your pumpkins to the Row & Co. building, 206 Depot St. in the Columbia Arts District, where the facility will host a Pumpkin Carving Party from 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.

Classic car fanatics will want to visit the Columbia Co-op, 957 Riverview Lane, for Classic Cars & Candy Bars on Friday, Oct. 28. The event will run from 5-9 p.m. and is free to attend. The event will feature a costume contest, bike giveaway, food trucks and more.

Following October's haunted events, quench the cold with a warm bowl of chili at the Fall Festival & Chili Cook-off at Highland Realm Farms, 4443 Hampshire Pike. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, and will include cash prizes, craft vendors, food trucks, inflatables and more. Tickets are $5.

Concerts, comedy and live theater

The fall also has a stacked lineup of live shows, concerts, comedy and live theater.

The Mulehouse will kick off the season with comedian Jeff Allen on Friday, Sept. 30.

In October, The Mulehouse will roll out a lineup of shows featuring Sister Hazel on Thursday, Oct. 13, followed by comedian Henry Cho on Thursday, Oct. 20.

The Mulehouse will then host a special Murder Mystery night Saturday, Oct. 22, followed by a Halloween Costume Party and concert featuring Burning Las Vegas on Friday, Oct. 28. For more information and tickets to all Mulehouse shows, visit www.TheMulehouse.com.

Support local live theater by celebrating The Maury County Arts Guild's 50th season, going back to one of the first shows the nonprofit ever produced. "Inherit The Wind" will debut Friday, Oct. 21, and will run through the following Saturday, Oct. 29. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.TheMCAG.org.

Watershed Public Theatre will also be debuting its latest production of "Little Women," which will debut Friday, Sept. 30, with additional performances Oct. 1, 2, 7-9 at Columbia State Community College's Cherry Theater. Tickets are available at www.WatershedPublicTheatre.org.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Oktoberfest leads the fall season for Maury County community events