We do not get our nickname as The Valley of the Sun for no reason; albeit, this is no excuse to not celebrate the start of fall like many four season states do. So, bid adieu to those hot summer days and say hello to the season of fall in the desert. Here are some fantastic events that will help you fall into the fall season.
Autumnfest
Celebrate all things fall with the Fifth Annual Autmnfest at Anthem Community Park in Anthem, Arizona on Oct. 27-28. Adults and children alike can enjoy festively fall activities; from exploring a pumpkin patch and decorating the perfect pumpkin, barrel and hay rides, to an apple pie-baking contest.
For more information, visit: http://www.onlineatanthem.com.
Fall Pumpkin Celebration 2012
Fall isn't fall without some good 'ole pumpkin pickin'! At Apple Annie's Orchard in Willcox, visitors experience the fun of picking their own pumpkins of all sizes, shapes and colors. Admission is $3 per person and includes barrel and hayrides to the pumpkin patch and children's play area. Additionally, the fall celebration will introduce its corn maze, a three-level difficulty maze fun for the entire family. Other fall festivities include an apple pie-baking contest and succulently sweet corn to munch on. This fall celebration begins Sept. 29 through the month of October.
For more information, visit: http://www.appleannies.com.
Pumpkin Weigh-Off
So, you think you can harvest the Valley's heaviest pumpkin, huh? Well, join Mother Nature's Farm and many other pumpkin enthusiasts as they present the Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest on Oct. 6 in Gilbert, AZ. Can your pumpkin beat Arizona's 2010 largest pumpkin weighing in at 205 pounds? Come find out this fall season.
For more information, visit: http://www.mothernaturesfarm.com.
4th Annual Jerome Ghost Walk
With the start of fall comes the start of all things Halloween. Start the season off spooky with Jerome's 4th Annual Ghost Walk on Oct. 7. Walk through haunted brothels, a murder on “spook hill” and more in nod to this town's reputation as the “Wickedest Town in the West.” Bring a flashlight along and a friend to clench onto.
For more information, visit: www.jeromehistoricalsociety.com.
Payson Farmer's Marketplace
Join the town of Payson, as it kicks off its 4th Annual Farmer's Market. Many returning vendors as well as some new ones will be present. Pick from fresh local produce, fall trends, jewelry and much more. The market opens at 8am and runs until noon every Saturday through September.
For more information, visit: www.paysonrimcountry.com.
Corn Maze at Fear Farm
Come and enjoy the six-acre corn maze packed with tons of twists and turns that will surely get you lost. The corn maze is a great family adventure or just a challenging experience for the directionally challenged. Get your head in a tizzy as you venture into the unknown at Fear Farm's Corn Maze. Every Thurs. through Sun. in October.
For more information, visit: www.fearfarm.com.
Scenic Skyride
While Snowbowl waits until the first dusting of snow settles to open its doors, scenic sky-rides are always available. Sky-ride shuttles you to an elevation of 11,500 feet for panoramic views atop this extinct volcano. From this elevation, you can see more than 70 miles of world-class scenery—including the Grand Canyon and downtown Flagstaff. The ride is exceptionally fantastic during the fall season as the leaves change and the climate cools down.
For more information, visit: www.arizonasnowbowl.com.
21 Cupcakes
You have to have a little sweetness in your life—especially, when the seasons begin to change. Nothing says yum in your tum more than a delicious pumpkin-flavored cupcake. Check out Scottsdale's Gourmet Cupcakery, 21 Cupcakes, as it welcomes fall with some fantastic fall flavors.
For more information, visit: http://www.21cakes.com.
Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party
Farm Fresh Fun is Schnepf Farm's motto. Join the cornucopia of fall events offered at the Pumpkin and Chili Party. Start the party with Hillbilly Bob as his conducts a pig race, enjoy carnival rides, fresh apple cider and a big bowl of chili, a petting zoo, and top the night by gathering around the campfire making scrumptious s'mores. That sounds like one fantastic fall day. Every Thurs. through Sun. in October.
For more information, visit: www.schnepffarms.com.
Autumn in Arizona
Craving some fall color in the Southwest? Arizona's north country is a wonderful place to enjoy the changing of seasons and the fall colors that go with that change. Here are some places in Arizona where you can enjoy beautiful fall foliage: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Sedona's Oak Creek Canyon, Flagstaff, Coconino National Forest, Greer, Alpine, and Madera Canyon.
