By Estelle R. Brown

Bright, sunny days. Cool, crisp nights. Magical moments. Celebrate the change of the seasons as summer eases into autumn.

Apple picking, hay rides, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, kettle corn, sweet music and more help us embrace the abundance of the harvest with these open-air fall festivals in and around Aurora.

SEP 15

Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

CASE-BARLOW FARM FALL FEST

Case-Barlow Farm, 1931 Barlow Rd., Hudson; casebarlow.com

Just a 20-minute drive away in lovely Hudson, this annual Farm Fest invites the community to experience life on the farm and learn more about the history and crafts of The Western Reserve.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will transform the barn into a model railroad station with working trains and hands-on activities. The sounds of the Eddy Street Geezers band will entertain throughout the day and making a guest appearance will be the Buckeye Square Dancers. Inside the 1800s historic home, artisans will demonstrate loom weaving, 1800s domestic chores, and how to make a quilt, a penny rug and lace.

Activities include:

• Games and crafts, including candle dipping

• Skilled Demonstrations by a woodcarver, blacksmith, Windsor chair maker, stone mason, arborists, etc.

• Civil War Encampment

• Small Farm Animals to Pet

• Hay Wagon Rides

• Folk Songs and Music

• Blacksmith

• Candle Making

• Games for Children

• Pumpkin Bowling

• Duck Races

• Food for Purchase (hot dogs, popcorn, ice cones, root beer and root beer floats)

SEP 21 & 22

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

APPLE HARVEST WEEKEND

Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd. (Rt. 6), Kirtland; lakemetroparks.com

It’s time for a scenic drive to rural Geauga County! Witness traditional harvest activities including applethemed crafts both days, and discover how apple butter and cider are made. Take a tour of the “Johnny Appleseed Trail” or explore the three-acre corn maze. Farmpark admission fee applies.

SEP 21 & 28 + OCT 5 & 12

APPLE HARVEST FESTIVALS AT MONROE’S ORCHARD

6313 Pioneer Trail, Hiram monroesorchard.com

Apples, pumpkins, gourds, wagon rides, warm cider and multi-generation family traditions make autumn magical at Monroe’s Orchard. Their Apple Harvest Festivals are always the last Saturday of September and the first two Saturdays of October, featuring apple picking, pumpkin picking, wagon rides, a food truck, train rides through cherry orchards and more. Enjoy watching the Monroes make their own apple cider from the market. Autumn at the Orchard: Apples are ready from mid-September to midOctober), and pick-your-own pumpkins are ripe for the picking from the patch (or from piles of pre-picked pumpkins in wagons) during the last week of September through October.

OCT 5

Saturday, 12-4 p.m. FALL FESTIVAL

& Business Showcase

Sunny Lake Park, 885 E. Mennonite Road, Aurora; aurorahoh.com

Our hometown’s autumn extravaganza is the best! It’s a wonderful way to gather with friends and neighbors before harsh weather drives us all indoors.

For this year’s fall festival, expect:

• Food Trucks

• Inflatables

• Petting Zoo

• Hayrides

• Balloon Art

• Face Painting

• Animal Show with Jungle Terry @ 12:15 p.m.

• Magic Show @ 2:15 p.m.

Also enjoy a mini-golf fundraiser from the American Legion and explore local businesses with Aurora’s Chamber of Commerce.

OCT 5

Saturday, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.

CITY OF SOLON FALL FESTIVAL

Solon Community Park, 6679 SOM Center Rd., Solon Solon Fall Festival 2024 on Facebook

Celebrate the best that the fall season has to offer. The 7th Annual Solon Fall Festival will feature a day full of fall family fun:

• Food Trucks and Snack Vendors (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

• Barnyard Petting Zoo (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

• Live Music by Prime Acoustic Trio (12-2 p.m.)

• Free Caricatures by Ron Hill (2-4 p.m.)

• Live Music by The Travelin’ Johnsons (2-4 p.m.)

• Keep watching the event’s Facebook page for updates.

Dates Tbd

Fall 2024 weekends, coming soon

DERTHICK’S CORN MAZE

5182 Twinsburg Warren Road (State Route 82), Mantua derthickcornmaze.com

Derthick’s Farm is an eighthgeneration, family-owned working farm that has survived by changing with the times. Along with an expansive sunflower field, trail rides, pumpkins, a jump pad, Safe Archery Hover Ball, air cannons, a Bouncing Cow Train, family trike riding, big slides, a Combine Climber, sand piles, a round bale play area, Human Foosball, hamster wheels, duck races, and zip line over the years, the corn maze craze started in 2006. With over seven miles of maze path carved into 17 acres of countryside, lose yourself in the twists and turns of intricate pathways within four different maze designs. The last last ticket is sold 90 minutes before closing. Fridays, 6-11 p.m. Saturdays, 1-11 p.m.; Sundays, 12-6 p.m. The last ticket is sold 90 minutes before closing.

Then, over the weekend of November 2-3, visit Derthick’s Corn Maze for trail riding. Riders of all ages and disciplines can bring their horses to this fun event.

Children 15 and under must be supervised by a parent/adult while on property and in the maze.

Make the most of amazing autumn at one of these fun-filled festivals coming up soon.