It’s going to officially feel like fall this weekend. Time to bust out your favorite sweatshirt or sweater and enjoy some of our favorite fall events and activities.
After a very warm stretch of days to start the month, highs this weekend will be in the upper 60s Saturday and low 70s Sunday. The mornings will end up the coolest of the season, but plenty of sunshine for the afternoon will allow for a beautiful fall weekend, according to WHIO.
Here are 5 ways to enjoy this fall weekend:
1. OKTOBERFEST
Nothing says fall like Oktoberfest, and one of the region’s premiere Oktoberfest celebrations is happening just a short drive away.
There will be plenty of beer and food and craft vendors, but this festival is also famous for some of its silly traditions. You can drink beer from a milk jug, participate in a beer tray relay or a jug-hoisting competition. This festival draws about 80,000 each year to this small village in Auglaize County.
WHEN: Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2017
HOURS: Friday 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight, Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE: One block west of the intersection of SR-119 and SR-66 in Minster
COST: Free admission
INFO: Website
>> 3 reasons this Oktoberfest celebration is worth the drive
2. OHIO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Go have some medieval fun. This 30-acre permanent village has been re-created to transport visitors to 16th Century England. Go eat a giant turkey legg and enjoy some jousting or other entertainment.
WHEN: Through Oct. 29 — Nine weekends Saturdays, Sundays plus Labor Day
HOURS: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Renaissance Park in Harveysburg. Just minutes off I-71, exit 45 or I-75, exit 38 on State Route 73 in Warren County.
COST: Tickets: Adults $22.50; Children $9.50 (ages 5-12); Children under 5 free.
INFO: Website
3. TAKE A GORGEOUS FALL HIKE
You can never go wrong with a hike at John Bryan State Park in Yellow Springs, of course.
Or head to Sugarcreek Metropark and follow the orange or green trail to the site of the “Three Sisters,” three impressive ancient white oak trees, and then continue along the trail to experience the warm colors surrounding the Osage orange tunnel. This tunnel was created by the large arching branches of old Osage orange trees and is perfect for a quick fall family picture.
>> 8 places to soak up fall’s beauty
>> The best places for a hike near Dayton
4. GET LOST IN A CORN MAZE
Who doesn’t like challenging their wits and skill against the wily notions of a farmer and what he or she does with a cornfield on a brisk autumn day?
There are some excellent mazes near Dayton that range from a minor obstacle to mind-numbingly mystifying.
If you choose one that doubles as a farm like Tom’s Maze, for example, you can also enjoy a hayride and pumpkin picking!
>> The best corn mazes near Dayton
5. GET SPOOKED
When there’s a chill in the air, spooky things start to rear their creepy heads.
While Dayton has a lot of great (and terrifying) attractions, and there are some great ones well worth the short drive.
Put on your brave face and head out to a haunted house this weekend.
>> The best haunted houses near Dayton (or a short drive)
>> What to expect at Kings Island Haunt
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