Corn maze, music, demonstrations highlight fall fest

The challenge of a corn maze, the allure of a pumpkin patch, the entertainment from a variety music and rides down scarecrow lane and around the Knoop farmstead await visitors to this weekend’s fifth Fall Fest by the Miami County Park District.

The fest is the district’s biggest event of the year, a celebration of the county’s agriculture held at the farmstead at the Lost Creek Reserve.

The Fall Fest is popular because it is a “great family event with activities that appeal to all ages,” said Amanda Smith, the park district’s marketing administrator.

She added the event is “budget friendly” with general admission free and events either free or low cost. “It is a chance to visit a working farm at the height of this beautiful season,” Smith said. “People love the wagon rides that travel down ‘Scarecrow Lane’ and around the farm.”

The scarecrows are part of the yearly scarecrow contest with entries by local businesses, organizations and groups. Visitors can view the scarecrows — last year there were more than 35 entries — and vote for their favorite until 2 p.m. Sunday.

This year’s corn maze of a traditional design with a scarecrow in the middle is called the most challenging the park district has offered. The maze is open to the public this weekend and again Halloween weekend Oct. 26-27 then available for rent on other days.

The event also includes a kiddie tractor pull on Saturday, farm animals, pony rides, the pumpkin patch, children’s games, crafts and working farm demonstrations.

Among food offerings will be hot dogs, ice cream, desserts, pie and coffee, elk burgers, soups and other selections for sale from the Boy Scouts, Kiwanis Club, Mohawk Freestyle Grill and Susie’s Big Dipper.

More than 100 volunteers will be helping throughout the weekend to make the Farm Fest possible.

How to Go

What: Fall Farm Fest

When: Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 13, noon to 5 p.m.

Where: Lost Creek Reserve, 2385 E. Ohio 41, Troy

Admission: To festival, free. Charges for corn maze, corn shooter, pumpkins, pony rides

More information: (937) 335-6273, www.miamicountyparks.com

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