Fall bucket list for Fairfield County residents and visitors
FAIRFIELD COUNTY − Fall is just around the corner and Fairfield County has a wide selection of fun activities to engage in during the season.
As the swimming pools and drive-in theaters close down and residents exchange shorts and t-shirts for pants and sweaters, fun remains but in different forms. Here are 10 things those local to Fairfield County can look forward to in the fall.
Catch a Friday night football game
Along with the new fall season approaching, football Friday nights have returned to your local high school. With a wide variety of teams in the area, any local football fan should have no trouble finding a team to root for.
Friday night football is an age-old American tradition and that is no different in Fairfield County. Even if you don't have ties to a local school, watching high school football under the lights can be a nostalgic experience for an older audience or an exciting time for younger audiences.
Enjoy the outdoors at Rising Park
The City of Lancaster and Fairfield County as a whole have an impressive selection of parks. However, perhaps the most enjoyable park in the area is Rising Park in Lancaster, which is known for its stunning view of the city.
Rising Park's most notable feature is this view, which can be found after a hike to the top of Mount Pleasant. Once visitors have reached the peak, they can overlook the city with a view that encompasses all of Lancaster. This view can be appreciated by residents of the area as well as visitors passing through.
In addition to Mount Pleasant, Rising Park has a cave unofficially named "Devil's Kitchen", tennis courts, and more.
Experience the FC Java Trail
For some people during the fall, there is nothing that hits the spot more than a warm cup of coffee. With the FC Java Trail, residents and passersby can get a taste of the coffee that Fairfield County has to offer.
The FC Java Trail includes Das KaffeeHaus von Frau Burkhart, an authentic German KaffeeHaus in Lithopolis. Other locations include L-City Coffee +, Porter's Coffee House and Bakery, and more.
To learn more about the FC Java Trail, visit their page on Visit Fairfield County.
Check out Smeck Park
Smeck Park is a Fairfield County park located at 7395 Basil Road Baltimore. While it may not offer the same view as Rising Park, it offers a good time in a different part of the county.
Activities at Smeck Park include viewing the Windmill and Fetter-Hood Barn, photography opportunities, bird watching, hiking, dog walking, and more.
An open-air picnic shelter makes this location a great date spot as well.
Visit the Fairfield County Fair
Anyone local to the area knows that the Fairfield County Fair is a big deal in the community. As the last fair of the season in Ohio, this fair holds a special place in the state.
With a livestock auction, an assortment of food vendors, a variety of games and rides for kids, and more, the Fairfield County Fair is a fun time for groups of all ages.
To get a glimpse at what a day at the Fairfield County Fair might entail, read about my experience at last year's event.
Go to The Haunted Farm
As the fall progresses and October rolls around, many people enjoy getting into the Halloween spirit and participating in spooky activities. One easy way to do that is The Haunted Farm in Pleasantville.
With more screams per acre than anywhere else, The Haunted Farm is a fun time for anyone who enjoys the Halloween season. Guests can experience the Haunted Barn and Corn Maze as well as live entertainment and/or DJ music on select nights.
To learn more about The Haunted Farm, visit their page on Visit Fairfield County.
Explore haunted locations
Keeping with the Halloween spirit, Fairfield County is home to many supposedly haunted locations. For the more adventurous readers, exploring these locations on your own can be a fun activity in the fall.
To learn more about the haunted locations in Fairfield County, read my story from last year diving into the spooky spots in the county.
Shop local for Halloween decorations
While Halloween is still a couple of months away, it is never too early to decorate for the popular holiday. This season, residents can shop locally for their Halloween decorations.
Yesteryear's Antiques LLC in Lithopolis offers vintage Halloween decorations including witches, candy dishes, candles, vintage costumes, and more.
Follow the Fairfield County Trail of Scarecrows
Last but not least, the Fairfield County Trail of Scarecrows is one more way to enjoy the fall season.
A self-guided tour around the county, the Trail of Scarecrows runs through the entire month of October. This tour takes participants through the county to look at 300+ scarecrows stretching across 14 towns. In addition to being able to visit, members of the community are also able to build their own scarecrow.
At the end of the event, people can vote for their favorite scarecrows.
Aaron Burd is a breaking news and government reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him via email at AMBurd@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @AaronMBurd.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Top things to do in Fairfield County this fall
