With temperatures still threatening to climb into the 90s, it can be hard to get into the spirit of the approaching fall season. But as we lose more than an hour of daylight by the end of September, it’s hard to resist the smell of pumpkin spice and comfort of cozy sweaters lurking just around the corner.
The autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere occurs on Sept. 22 this year, inviting dryer, cooler air to fill the atmosphere and trees to leave the work of photosynthesis for the year and dress themselves in warmer hues as they prepare to enter their long winter nap.
For leaf-peepers, the display of orange, red and yellow painted across the tree line is forecasted to become its most vibrant by late October. The corridor offers many beautiful overlooks and forested areas to behold, like Pinicon Ridge Park in Central City and Palisades-Kepler State Park in Mt. Vernon.
At Lake MacBride in Solon, the spillway makes for a perfect place to take in the landscape, where a short jaunt down a path leads to an area nearly surrounded by water and forests reaching the shoreline.
When asked about favorite fall activities, Bree Mpou, psychology, said she likes pumpkin picking and playing tennis with her friends. She added, “I like the color but I don’t like when it’s too cold,” a notion a lot of students can agree with.
Whether it’s fall colors or fun with friends, Eastern Iowa offers many autumnal activities and attractions. From visiting the parks to pumpkin carving it’s easy to find an activity to enjoy this time of year. The Farm Fresh Reggae Music and Arts Festival, a family friendly music and art festival in its seventh year held at Troy’s Farm in Springville from Sept. 18–19, is another great opportunity to make the most of early autumn. Festivalgoers are invited to camp, peruse the goods offered by vendors, and dance all day and into the night.
If you’re looking for a more traditional fall experience, Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins hosts the Iowa Fall Festival from Sept. 12-Oct. 26, as well as Pumpkin Destruction Fest on Nov. 1.
At the Fall Festival, hayrides, pumpkin picking, photo opportunities, wine tasting, gourmet goodies and a stroll through the 10-acre corn maze are all on the docket.
Special events during the festival include The Great Pumpkin Balloon Glow on Sept. 27, an outdoor showing of Hocus Pocus on Oct. 3, and four separate haunts at Scream Acres promising a scary good time. Bloomsbury also celebrates Oktoberfest from Sept. 26-28, offering a variety of food and drinks.
Bloomsbury Farm isn’t the only Oktoberfest option in the area. Students can enjoy many events in addition to Oktoberfest and Fresh Paint, a local art event, in the Amana Colonies.
The fall iteration of the 33rd Annual Iowa Renaissance Festival takes place Oct. 11-13 and 18-19 at Middle Amana Community Park, promising a step into a fantastical medieval world right in the heart of Eastern Iowa.
If you’re in the mood for a frighteningly good time this fall, look to the many haunted attractions in the region, like Circle of Ash in Central City, Eclipse Haunt in Iowa City and Waterloo’s KW Paintball Zombie Shoot, an interactive haunted experience inviting patrons on a ride through the park, armed with toxic ammo to take down the zombies lurking throughout.
Whether you’re seeking to be scared or hoping for handholding on a hayride, there’s something to satisfy everyone in the region. No matter your major, make sure to take a break from hard work and diligent studies to treat yourself to an autumn-in-Iowa adventure. You’ve earned it.
Categories: Art & Life
