photo credit: Natalia Favila Inacua
Sandy loves pumpkin spice and everything nice. She’s eating a warm bite of a delicious apple pie on a breezy autumn afternoon.
The pale leaves collect in colorful piles around the changing trees by her. It’s truly a perfect fall day, except it’s being wasted because Sandy doesn’t know how else to spend this perfect fall day.
Fall is the perfect time to spend a day outside with cozy sweater weather and scenic views.
The city of Columbus knows this, and because of it, they have various fun fall activities throughout the entire season. From pumpkin patches to haunted houses, there’s an exciting autumn event for everyone.
Starting in September, one of the first and most popular fall events in Columbus is Oktoberfest. The festival took place Sept. 8-10, in order to take advantage of the wonderful weather during the early part of the month.
The Columbus Oktoberfest took many of its components from the main Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. Executive Director of Columbus Oktoberfest Carla Epler explained some of the most notable elements of Columbus Oktoberfest.
“There were two stages with continuous entertainment, a Glockenspiel Stage, two huge dance floors and a beautiful Kinderplatz for the younger set in the ODNR Natural Resources Park. The Gemutlichkeit Games presented by Saucy Brewworks were held in the amphitheater. These games include a stone toss, Keg press and throw and Steinheben (stone pulling),” Epler said.
But if looking for a calmer, autumn evening with some friends, there are various options for relaxing fall activities too. Fall is junior Taylor Boyd’s favorite season, and she has some special, relaxing family traditions to celebrate it.
“My favorite fall activity is picking pumpkins and then carving them on Halloween day! I always go with my family; it has become a tradition at this point,” Boyd said.
Having fun with one’s family outdoors is always a great way to spend a day in fall. This is especially true because of the gorgeous and colorful autumn scenery.
Boyd agreed, explaining how this makes her favorite fall activity even better. “It involves being outside and seeing all the leaves that have changed colors. The weather is perfect too!” Boyd said.
Some popular pumpkin patches with great scenery close to Lewis Center include: Lehner’s Pumpkin farm which is open until Oct. 29, Leeds Farm which closes Oct. 28 and Freeman’s Farm which closes Oct. 31. Another great way to take advantage of these pumpkins is through flavor, because from pumpkin pie to pumpkin spice lattes, there’s a fall-themed food for everyone.
At the Columbus Oktoberfest, Epler’s favorite foods ranged a little more toward the unusual side.
“We may be a little biased but of course Schmidt’s is right there at the top. We have several terrific regulars like KinderHaus, DK Diner and Mauger’s mini donuts with some great new additions this year like Legacy BBQ, Squeaky’s Cheese Curds and Buckeye Chocolate,” Epler said.
Whether it was trying some unusual foods at Oktoberfest or buying some oddly fall-flavored things at a local supermarket, many people are buying a vast variety of fall-themed foods. However, if people’s preferences range on the more comfortable and traditional side, Boyd’s favorites might be the way to go.
“My favorite fall foods are caramel apples, candy corn (the pumpkins specifically) and apple pie!” Boyd said.
Overall, fall is just a great time for comfort clothes, food and people. Both Epler and Boyd can agree on that.
“Our company comes together to work on this every year to make it happen. Our Oktoberfest has such a great vibe, it is one of the most authentic you will find in the US. It is all about the Gemutlichkeit which loosely translates into a feeling of well-being, fun, frivolity,” Epler said.
Oktoberfest has already gone by, but there are many other opportunities to have a fun time at an autumn festivity. Boo at the Zoo and Zombiezi Bay take place at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium up until Oct. 29 and The Hunted Woods at Shawnee Hills is a spookier option as well taking place the whole month of October.
