Seven things to do this fall in the Valley

Sheyanne N Romero, Visalia Times-Delta
·5 min read
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The fall season is upon us and that means pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, costumes and corn mazes.

The Central Valley is full of fall-inspired events, with the 2023 Tulare County Fair kicking things off next week.

Here is a list of fall events that can be found in Tulare County, or a short drive from Visalia, in no particular order.

Exeter Fall Festival

The 109th Exeter Fall Festival will be held on Oct. 14 throughout the day in downtown. This year’s festival, will continue many traditions including games, contests, food and entertainment.

The Exeter Chamber of Commerce is also bringing back a staple of past Fall festivals. The Fall Festival Parade will return along Pine Street in downtown. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. down Pine Street, near Boxcar Bakery.

Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch

Known for its Christmas trees, Hillcrest Tree Farm in Reedley also knows a thing or two about pumpkins. Their pumpkin patch will soon open to residents.

The pumpkin patch is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all weekends from Sep. 30 to Oct. 29. The farm offers pumpkins for sale, a steam train ride, hillside play area, nature trail and picnic area.

Entry fee $5 per carload on the first and last weekends, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 28-29 and $10 per carload on premier weekends — Oct. 7-8, Oct. 14-15, and Oct. 21-22

For more information, visit www.hillcrestreedley.com/pumpkin-patch or call 638-2762.

Hobbs Grove Halloween Haunt

For those who like their fall a little spookier, Hobbs Grove Halloween Haunt will once again offer plenty of scares for the season.

Hobb’s Grove will be open Thursdays through Sundays, plus the last two Wednesdays, Sept. 29 through Oct. 29. Maimed clowns, crawling zombies, and countless other dreadful sights hide within the parlors and corridors of insanity that the grove has assembled.

Pricing and ticket sales will be available Sept. 13.

Mystery at the Darling Hotel

The Darling Hotel will host a "one-of-a kind dinner and hotel experience" that promises to transport guests to Baker Street for an evening with Scotland Yard's most infamous detective, Sherlock Holmes.

"Twists and turn will be around every corner that may lead you to an indefinite boundary of fantasy and reality," according to the hotel's website.

Mystery at the Darling Hotel will offer two different seating sessions: 4 to 7 p.m. and 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21. Guests are asked to make sure they select the desired event date prior to purchasing tickets.

Guests are also strongly encouraged to dress in Edwardian or steampunk inspired costumes or attire.

For ticket information and event details, visit thedarlingvisalia.com.

Oktoberfest

Dust off your steins and iron your lederhosen, Oktoberfest is coming back to the Central Valley.

Oktoberfest, originally held in Munich, Germany, celebrates Bavarian culture and traditions. The Visalia Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with local businesses and community partners, has brought the festival to Visalia for over a decade.

The chamber announced this year's event will be held on Sept. 21, at Vossler Farms.

The event will give attendees a taste of the best of the Central Valley's food, beer, wine, and entertainment.

Tulare County Fair

The Tulare County Fair is back and so are the rides, attractions, entertainment and fried foods.

The fair kicks off on Wednesday with the traditional parade at 10 a.m., winding through downtown Tulare and ending at the fairgrounds at noon to open the festivities.

For ticket and parking prices, visit www.tcfair.org/p/the-fair.

2023 Fair Hours

  • Wednesday: 12 to 10 p.m.

  • Thursday: 4 to 10 p.m.

  • Friday: 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. (kids 12 and under are free)

  • Saturday: 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.

  • Sunday: 2 to 10 p.m.

The glow of the midway at the Tulare County Fair in Tulare, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.
The glow of the midway at the Tulare County Fair in Tulare, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.

Vossler Farms

From corn mazes to pumpkin patches, to hay, train, and pony rides, Vossler Farms has something for everyone.

Opening day is Saturday, Sept. 23.

Vossler Farms changes its corn maze design each year. For example, last year's design, Pegasus, was in the shape of the infamous Greek mythological winged horse. This year's maze is "The Tree of Life."

On weekdays (Tuesdays-Fridays), only the corn maze, hayride, and pumpkin patch are open during the day. This season, Vossler Farms is closed on Monday.

Pumpkin patch hours

  • Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Friday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Sunday: 12 to 9 p.m.

Corn maze hours

  • Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last admission 8 p.m.)

  • Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last admission 8 p.m.)

  • Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last admission 8 p.m.)

  • Friday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last admission 9 p.m.)

  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last admission 9 p.m.)

  • Sunday: 12 to 9 p.m. (last admission 8 p.m.)

Vossler Farms will also open up its “Field of Screams” on Oct. 13 through Oct. 31 and is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Halloween.

For more information visit, www.vosslerfarms.com.

From corn mazes to pumpkin patches, to hay and train rides, Vossler Farms has something for everyone.
From corn mazes to pumpkin patches, to hay and train rides, Vossler Farms has something for everyone.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Seven things to do this fall in the Valley