Harvest festival

Just because summer is the official season of the outdoors doesn’t mean that Oak Mountain State Park is closing up shop this fall.

On Saturday Oct. 14, the park will host a harvest festival for the second year, complete with everyone’s favorite fall activities.

Park event coordinator Anna Jones said the park has had fall festivals in the past, but last year was the first time it was deemed a “harvest festival.”

“We got a really great response last year,” she said, adding that between 800 and 1000 guests attended.

So far this year, nearly 7,000 people had marked “interested” on the event’s Facebook page, and Jones said they expect about 75 percent of those interested to actually attend.

From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., the park will be filled with food vendors including Swamp Monster BBQ, Monzy’s Deli, Pazzo Big Slice Pizza and Dixieland Funnel Cakes, and other vendors like Mountain High Outfitters.

The Alabama Wildlife Center and the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center will be on hand giving educational talks at the presentation tent with some of their most popular wild animals, and man’s best friend is also welcome — provided he or she is on a leash.

At 9 a.m. there will be a free guided hike through the park, and free hayrides will be available all day.

Throughout the event guests can expect live music, yard games, shopping and pony rides from Rusted Roof Barn, among other activities.

Regular park entry fees are cash only and will be taken at the gate, running $2 for ages 4-11 and 62 and up, $6 for ages 12-61 and free for children younger than 4 years old. The cost includes all activities and admission is good for the entire day, and Jones said guests are invited to stay after the festival ends and continue to enjoy what the park has to offer.

For more information, visit the park’s Facebook page at facebook.com/OakMountainSP/.