Corn mazes, fall festivals and more things to do in October in Franklin County
October might just be the busiest month of the year. Between fall- and Halloween-themed events and other activities, everyone can probably find something fun for their calendar.
Here is a list of things to do this coming month in Franklin County. It's broken down into seasonal events and other activities, both in chronological order.
Corn mazes, fall festivals, Halloween events
Corn maze and more at Country Creek Produce
Daily through Nov. 5
3794 Etter Road, Chambersburg
In addition to the 4-mile-long corn maze — which Country Creek says is the longest in the area — regular admission includes jump pads, a hay pyramid, zip lines, mountain slides, rat races, wingers, duck races, a petting zoo, pedal cart track and more. For an additional price on the weekend, you can access the new Ferris wheel, pumpkin cannon or the barrel train. The pumpkin patch is also open.
Price: Admission is $8.50 on weekdays and $12 on weekends (free for ages 2 and younger). Pay $15 on weekends for the addition of a ticket that can be used on one of the extra activities. Season passes are available.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Night Maze: Want to go through the maze in the dark? Country Creek will be open 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October (starting Oct. 7). Admission is $13.
More info: countrycreekproducefarm.com and Country Creek’s Facebook page
Corn maze and more at Stoner’s Dairy Farm
Friday, Saturdays and Sundays through October
7678 Oellig Road, Mercersburg
On the weekends, you can explore the 5-acre corn maze, take a hayride, check out the petting zoo and let loose on the various play areas. There is also a barrel train ride, jump pad, pedal cart track and even a “scarecrow factory.”
Fridays are "Flashlight Nights." Bring a flashlight to help as you traverse the corn maze in the dark. The corn maze, mini corn maze, hayrides and petting zoo will be open.
Stoner’s also hosts Haunted Maze Nights that last two Saturdays in October (see entry near the end of this list).
Price: Admission is $8 for ages 4 and older (free for 3 and younger) and $4 for ages 60+ and active military with ID.
Hours: 7-10 p.m. Fridays; noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays (last admission 45 minutes before closing).
More info: stonersdairyfarm.com/go/fall_maze/
Market Day in Waynesboro
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1
Downtown Waynesboro
The chili cook-off and scarecrow contest will return to this year's festival, hosted by Mainstreet Waynesboro. There will be many vendors and activities along Main Street and in Main Street Park.
More info: mainstreetwaynesboro.org/market-day
Applefest in Chambersburg
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Downtown Chambersburg
Celebrate the fall season with this annual craft, art, food and fun festival in and around Chambersburg's Memorial Square. It is one of several events the Downtown Business Council hosts for the community and visitors each year.
More info: facebook.com/ChambersburgAppleFest/
Harvest Day at Cowans Gap State Park
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Cowans Gap State Park, 6235 Aughwick Road, Ft. Loudon
Bring the family out for traditional fall fun. There will be pumpkin carving, hayrides, crafts, an apple cider press and more. Browse and shop vendors.
Price: Free admission
More info: cowansgap.org
Pumpkins and Pippins Festival
Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Pine Hill Recreation Area, 12684 Mentzer Gap Road, Waynesboro
Hosted by The Institute, there will be a variety of pumpkin-related activities (including a pumpkin decorating contest), a kids' zone, a StoryWalk, pony rides, live music and more. The pumpkin trebuchet should be a starring attraction.
Price: $10 per vehicle (cash only)
More info: natureandcultureinstitute.org
Shippensburg Pumpkin Festival
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 21-23
Shippensburg Fairgrounds
The highlight of this inaugural event will be the live pumpkin carvings. The event will also feature a pumpkin pie bake-off, pumpkin painting, a pie-eating contest, fall vendors, hayrides, a hay bale maze, tractor parade and more.
Hours: 4-8 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Price: Free admission
More info: shippumpkinfest.com
Fall Fest near Greencastle
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
Greencastle Legion Grounds, 4775 Williamson Road, Greencastle
This third annual event will have carnival rides, helicopter rides, axe-throwing, a beer/wine garden and a huge craft market with more than 350 vendors. More than 10 food trucks will be on site.
Mason-Dixon Creations hosts the event.
Price: Admission and parking are free, but there are fees for activities.
More info: facebook.com/MDCWaynesboroPA
Haunted Maze Nights
8-11 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 22 and 29
Stoner’s Dairy Farm, 7678 Oellig Road, Mercersburg
Scary monsters lurk within the corn stalks of the five-acre corn maze. Be sure to bring a flashlight.
Stoner’s advises that the frights may be too much for kids younger than 10. Marshmallows, s’mores kits and other refreshments will be available for purchase.
Price: Admission is $10. Group discounts available with advance registration. Day-of ticket sales start at 7:30 p.m.
More info: stonersdairyfarm.com/go/haunted_maze/
We will publish a separate list of trick-or-treat events soon.
Other events
Chinchorreo: Latin Hispanic Food Crawl
1-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1
Downtown Chambersburg
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by trying out the many Latin and Hispanic restaurants in Chambersburg. Guests will receive a passport that will give them access to the event at restaurants downtown. Participants include Jordyn's Caffe, Taqueria La Esquinita, Amor De Madres, Veroni Cafe, Mikey's Mini Donuts, L&L Creations, Avocado Cafe, El Gallo and Falafel Shack.
A passport is $25. Guests will join the crawl in two waves, at 1 and 2 p.m. There were plenty of tickets still available for both waves as of Sept. 26.
Tickets and more info: bit.ly/3dILBZ3
Mercersburg Beer and Wine Festival
1-5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8
Mercersburg Lion's Club Park, 405 S. Park St., Mercersburg
More than 15 breweries, distilleries and wineries will serve up drinks throughout the afternoon. Country artist Zac Grace and acoustic/folk singer Samantha Press, both locals, will perform. Food trucks will make sure there is plenty to eat.
Regular admission is $40 in advance, $45 at the gate, and includes "unlimited responsible access" to all beers, three samples from wineries/vintners, and access to buy glasses or bottles of wine and distilled products, and a free sample cup.
There is also a VIP admission for $60 that includes free lunch, a "special limited brew," a free full-pour cup and early entry.
Guests may pay an additional $15 for unlimited full pours of beers.
Free shuttle service is available for those who buy tickets in advance.
A designated driver ticket for $10 is also available.
Only adults ages 21 and older will be permitted at the event.
Tickets and more info: bit.ly/3Sy17ps
Local Jam at the Capitol Theatre
7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8
Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg
Local musicians will kick off the 2022-23 season at Capitol Theatre. The Stable Shakers will headline the show on the historic stage, performing tunes from Bob Dylan and Tom Waits, according to the band's Facebook page. Larissa Chace Smith from The Hello Strangers will join them.
Lucky Punk will open.
Gearhouse Brewing Co. will be on site serving up its beers. Other drinks and food will also be on sale.
Tickets and more info: Buy tickets, $35 (discounts for senior citizens, students, frontline workers and active military), at thecapitoltheatre.org.
Vikings Return
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16
Fort Loudoun, 4720 N. Brooklyn Road, Ft. Loudon
The Medieval times will take over at Fort Loudon, where the living history performers Njörðr's Wanderers will be preparing for winter. From the event's Facebook page:
"Our warband has established a Longphort along a local waterway, in anticipation of the coming winter. We will look to trading the last of our goods on hand, crafting items for next year's trade, putting up supplies for the winter, and securing the vicinity against the locals. There is talk that the location would make a fine trade town, and a few have started on establishing a permanent settlement."
Members of the public are invited to watch.
Medieval groups and "individuals with good historicity" who are interested in participating should send a message to the Njörðr's Wanderers on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Corn mazes, fall festivals, live music in October in Franklin County
