The fall is here and so are Halloween activities, fall festivals, a Pumpkin Patch and fun

Aida Mallard, The Gainesville Sun
·5 min read

The fall season’s cooler temperatures are finally here — and to the delight of the child in some of us — so are fall festivals, fairs and Halloween activities.

There will be plenty of family-friendly events to choose from in Gainesville, whether they be church festivals, community Halloween activities, trick-or-treating or a visit to the Pumpkin Patch to pick the perfect pumpkin.

In East Gainesville, PASSAGE Family Church will once again host its Harambee Fest, an annual community celebration that will be held from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28. at The Oak Tree Plaza, 1414 NE 23rd Ave.

Harambee Fest is an outreach initiative of PASSGE Family Church that is free, open to the public, and features fun activities and food, said Lady Michele Dix, first lady and co-founder of the church along with her husband Pastor George B. Dix. Jr.

“PASSAGE Family Church is offering Harambee Fest in hopes of offering a Christian alternative to Halloween,” said Michele Dix, adding the event focuses on children but has something for the entire family.

“Children can enjoy  music, dance, face painting, games, bounce houses and balloon art while parents can relax in a fun and safe environment,” Dix said. “Simply put, Harambee Fest is an evening of food, family and fun.”

In the African language of Swahili, Harambee means “Let’s get together.”

“Harambee Fest is an outreach initiative of our ministry,” said George Dix Jr. “We joyfully provide families an alternative to traditional Halloween celebrations.”

For more information, visit www.passageministries.org.

Halloween and Fall Festivals

Below is a look at several other events.

Fall Festival: Chili Cook-off, banana pudding Cook-off at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 29, North Gainesville Baptist Church,  6203 NW 39th Ave. (www.ngbcfl.org).

Coon Hollo Fall Festival: Saturdays and Sundays only through Nov. 7, Coon Hollo, 22480 US-441, Micanopy. Featuring hayrides, pig races, putt putt golf, archery, pony rides. Cost: $12.50, free for kids 3 and under.

Lubee Bat Festival: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday at Lubee Bat Conservancy, 1309 NW 192 Ave.  Cost, $8 adult, $5 child, $28 beer garden. Featuring local artisans, food trucks, kids zone and craft beer.

Local Halloween and fall festivals will feature food, art, fun activities for families, especially kids, and more. Pictured here is a food vendor stirring a pot of an assortment of seafood at the 43rd Micanopy Fall Festival Oct. 28, 2017 in Micanopy. [File photo by Kaila Jones/Correspondent]
Local Halloween and fall festivals will feature food, art, fun activities for families, especially kids, and more. Pictured here is a food vendor stirring a pot of an assortment of seafood at the 43rd Micanopy Fall Festival Oct. 28, 2017 in Micanopy. [File photo by Kaila Jones/Correspondent]

47th Annual Micanopy Fall Festival: Oct. 29-30, Micanopy Historic District. It will be free and open to the public and feature music, antique auction and local vendors.

Alachua Main Street Harvest Festival: Nov. 13. It will be free, open to the public and feature food and art vendors, children activities and local music.

41st annual Downtown Art  Festival and Art Show: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Nov. 19-20 on streets around the Bo Diddley Downtown Community Plaza at 111 E. University Ave. It will be free, open to the public and feature 200 artists, live music and a variety of food and other vendors.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church: The church at 718 SE 11th St. will host a Fall Festival from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 30 featuring fun for all ages, including games, music, costume contest, free food and Trunk-N-Treat, which consists of participants decorating the trunks of their cars for children to trick-or-treat, musical chairs, cake walk and more.

For more information, call 352-372-0505.

“The goal is to have safe, clean fun for everyone,” said Darry Lloyd, a deacon and youth director at Mount Moriah.

The city of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affaiers Festival of Fun and Frights will be held from 1-4 p.m. Oct.29 at the King Center, 1028 NE 14th St.

It will feature themed tables, interactive games and more.

For more information, call 352 -393-8443.

YMCA Trunk or Treat will be held from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 28 at North Central Florida YMCA, 5201 NW 34th Blvd. parking lot. It will feature hot dogs, chips and drink for a small donation.

Adult Trick-or-Treating will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at the Swamp Head Brewery, 3550 SW 42nd Ave.

The treats will be candy-inspired beers. Adults only.

Library: Extensive collection of true crime books, DVDs, mysteries and thrillers are available for check-out at the Alachua County Library District headquarters branch at 401 E. University Ave.

TeenTober – Sugar Skull Craft will be held from 4-5 p.m. Thursday at the library districts headquarters branch.

It will feature arts and crafts for ages12-18. Those attending the event will learn some basic sewing techniques while making their own sugar skull plush.

O2b KIDS Spooktacular will be held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday at 7383 SW 17th Road.

It will feature candy and great prizes. It will be free for members and adults and $15 for non-members.

Around the city

The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo will host “Boo at the Zoo” from 3-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the zoo at 3000 NW 83rd St.

It will offer a spooky but safe trick-or-treat event for the entire family. So wear your favorite costume and bring a flashlight and container for your candy. Admission is one canned food item per person. Visitors will have an opportunity to walk along the zoo’s quarter-mile walking trail, which is wheelchair and stroller accessible and features 14 Halloween-themed candy stations manned by zookeepers in costume. In addition, Danscompany of Gainesville will provide entertainment.

For more information, call 352-395-5000.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Family-friendly fun and more featured at Halloween, fall festivals