4 festivities to celebrate the season
Fall is here, and one of the highlights of the season is a trip to a pumpkin patch or harvest festival. Here are several options for both happening this month along the 280 corridor.
OLD BAKER FARM
► Where: Old Baker Farm, 1041 Farmingdale Road, Harpersville
► When: Sept. 28 to Oct. 31
► Cost: $10; free ages 2 and younger; entrance gate closes daily at 5 p.m.
► Web: oldbakerfarm.com
The Old Baker Farm in Harpersville has been in the Baker family for over 100 years. The 2019 fall harvest will take place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 31 and feature two special weekend events to coincide with the season.
Cowboy Days will be Oct. 12-13 and the Cotton Pickin Celebration weekend will be Oct. 26-27. The farm is open to the public weekdays from 3 p.m. until dark and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until dark and Sundays 1 p.m. until dark. The entrance gate closes daily at 5 p.m.
Admission is $10 per person (children 2 and younger are free) and includes a pumpkin and all events except food, arts and crafts and horseback rides.
TESHUA FARMS
► Where: Teshua Farms, 3922 Westover Road, Westover
► When: Sept. 27 to Oct. 27
► Cost: $10; $25 VIP ticket
► Web: teshuafarms.com/the -pumpkin-patch
New to the scene last year was Teshua Farms, located in Westover and owned by Mike and Renee Betz. There is a hay maze, petting zoo, straw slide, corn bins, tricycle tractor track, pumpkin patch and more. Treats from local bakers, hayrides and photo backdrops are available as well.
The second annual fall celebration takes place from Sept. 27 through Oct. 27. This year, there will be a Harvest Concert series of fun with a Harvest Hoedown, Faith at the Farm (Christian music concert) and a grand finale event the last weekend with Act of Congress. The concerts will be from 6-9 p.m. Saturdays with food trucks onsite.
Tickets are available for both the pumpkin patch ($10) and a VIP ticket, which includes the Pumpkin Patch and the concert ($25).
OMSP HARVEST FESTIVAL
► Where: Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham
► When: Oct. 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
► Cost: $5 ages 12-61; $2 ages 4-11, 62 and older; free 3 and younger, military and veterans
► Web: facebook.com/pg/OakMountainSP/events
The annual OMSP Harvest Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Oak Mountain State Park. During the event, the Alabama Wildlife Center will have its glove-trained education raptors for guests to meet. The Oak Mountain Interpretive Center will also have its Education Ambassadors, including snakes, turtles and other native residents of the park.
Entrance admission to the park is free for ages 3 and younger, military and veterans; $2 for ages 4-11 and 62 and older; and $5 for ages 12-61.
MT LAUREL FALL FESTIVAL
► Where: Mt Laurel, off U.S. 280 at Shelby County 41
► When: Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
► Web: mtlaurel.com
The 19th annual Mt. Laurel Fall Festival will be Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. in and around the town square. This event will feature vendors who sell local produce, plants, flowers, artwork, craft pieces, children’s items, jewelry and beautiful hand-crafted merchandise. There will also be children’s activities, a craft fair, a farmers market, live music and more.