Fall is in the air and we’re ready for all the festivities this season brings. To help everyone get in the fall spirit, we rounded up the best ways to fall in love with autumn.
Seasonal Markets
One of our favorite traditions is visiting the handcrafted and vintage markets that pop up throughout the season.
The downtown Franklin Open House from Nov. 4 to 6 has been a fan favorite for the last 10 years. When you visit participating businesses and restaurants and collect punches on the punch cards (located at each business), you’ll earn the chance to win $2,000 worth of prizes. Plus, you’ll find exclusive discounts. Don’t forget to turn in your completed punch card to any of the participating businesses when you finish shopping. The winners will be drawn the following week.
The largest craft fair in Festival Country boasts nearly 400 vendors with items ranging from handmade signs to unique maple syrup. This event is happening Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Center Grove High School. They’ll also have seven different food trucks offering breakfast and lunch throughout the day. Parking is free and admission is $5.
The Discover Old Town Greenwood Open House is another beloved event. Shops, businesses and restaurants kick off the holiday season with exclusive deals, giveaways and kids activities. Santa will be in town on Friday, Nov. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. Open house hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Fall Festivities
There’s nothing like strolling through the apple orchard or picking your own pumpkin in the brisk fall air. Add these events and attractions to your calendar this season.
Apple Works has the quintessential fall experience. With delicious apples, pumpkin picking, apple treats like apple dumplings and donuts, a petting zoo and outdoor activities, it covers all the bases.
Starting in October, scarecrows of all varieties will pop up around Festival Country. The event is called Scarecrow Madness, where businesses and locals display their creative scarecrows as a fundraiser for Johnson County Senior Services. Follow their scarecrow map to find them all.
Kelsay Farms kicks off their season on Sept. 30 and will be open every weekend through October. Attractions include a corn maze, barn filled will corn kernels, hayrides and a straw bale mountain.
Waterman's Family Farm in Greenwood is home to hayrides, a straw bale playground, miniature train rides, farm animals, a straw fort, a little farmer experience, a human hamster wheel, pumpkins and more. From the last weekend in September through the end of October, visitors can come to the farm Tuesday through Sunday for the Fall Harvest Festival.
In early October, Jenkins Farm Market Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch will open their fall attractions in Franklin. The farm includes a corn maze scavenger hunt, pumpkins, hayrides and a fall market every Saturday and Sunday. Their produce shop is open every day, all year.
Head to Dollie's Farm for pumpkins, mums, sunflowers and great fall photo opportunities.
Looking for outdoor fall concerts? We have the lineup right here.
Click this link to learn about other great events happening this season.
For a different kind of outdoor activity this fall, check out the Gatling Gauntlet, a free 1.6-mile extreme fitness obstacle course at Johnson County Park.
