There can be a lot that divides our city, but one thing that seems to unite is a love of fall. Evidenced in a plethora of corn mazes, pumpkin patches, bashes, festivals, hoedowns, and celebrations, fall (and the hints of magic of the coming holiday season) brings families together in the county.
To top it off, many local events are free or low cost, so grab your boots, plaids and camera, and get ready to fall for these fun happenings.
1. Lucky Ladd Family Farms
Open Wednesdays-Saturdays through Nov. 3. $13.99 for adults, $11.99 for children, under 3 FREE. Lucky Ladd Family Farms 4374 Rocky Glade Road Eagleville.
This might be the best bang for the buck anywhere, with a corn maze, farm activities, splash pad, playground and slides included in the cost of admission to the state’s largest petting zoo. An impressive pumpkin patch offers dozens of sizes and colors to choose from with varying prices.
2. Walden Pumpkin Farm
Open Sunday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday through Oct. 31. FREE admission, cost for activities. 8653 Rocky Fork Road.
This fun family destination is busy and popular for a reason—sweet farm animals to visit, live music to hear, hay rides and play areas to enjoy, and fabulous foods.
3. The Grove at Williamson Place Fall Activities
Open the month of October Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays from 4-9 p.m., Friday’s from 4-11 p.m., Saturday’s 10 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sundays 1 p.m.-6p.m. $1 per ticket, separate prices for food trucks. The Grove at Williamson Place 3250 Wilkinson Pike Murfreesboro.
This special series of events include slime making, face painting, sand, food trucks, hayrides, corn maze, and more on the site of the beautiful Grove at Williamson Place farm and event center.
4. Brown Farms
Open Fridays-Sundays, Oct. 4-Nov. 3. Adults $8, Children 5-12 $6, under 4 FREE. 7231 Cainsville Pike Lascassas.
Take on this popular corn maze with a group to double the fun, and enjoy a hay ride, hay mountain, fire pits, games, concessions and pumpkins while you’re there.
5. Good Shepherd Children’s Home Fall Festival
Saturday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. FREE admission, $10/plate. Good Shepherd’s Children Home203 Woodcraft Drive Murfreesboro.
Kids will enjoy activities just for them, while all ages will enjoy live music, dinner and live auction.
6. Old Timer’s Festival La Vergne
Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. Veterans Memorial Park 115 Floyd Mayfield Drive. The annual La Vergne Old Timers' Festival features a parade, live music, and an array of old fashioned demonstrations from blacksmithing to basket weaving, to spinning and weaving. There are also new crafts for sale from local and regional vendors and children’s play area with bounce house, face painting and petting zoo
7. Bradley Academy 15th annual Heritage Festival
Saturday, October 12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. FREE. 415 S. Academy St. Murfreesboro. The county’s first African American School hosts games and activities for children, food vendors, art booths, and live music for the whole family.
8. Milton Fall Market and Craft Fair
Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The Gathering at Milton. 12026 Milton St. Milton.
Take a drive in the countryside to the second Milton Fall Market & Craft Fair, where more than 50 talented artisans and vendors will have indoor and outdoor booths to visit. Children’s activities include a big green-and-yellow tractor jump house and slide, face painting, and a petting zoo area provided by Mini Creek Farm, a dedicated animal-assisted therapy and activities program based in Lascassas. All the fun happens at The Gathering at Milton.
9. McFadden Fall Fest and Haunted Hallways
Thursday, October 17, 5 – 8 p.m. FREE.
McFadden Community Center 211 Bridge Ave. Murfreesboro. All are invited to this community event of “food, fellowship and fright.” Highlights of the night include the Moon Bounce, carnival games, t-shirt walk and a DJ.
10. PCA Fall Festival
Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. $20 per person, or $50 max per family. Providence Christian Academy 410 Dejarnett Lane.
PCA’s Fall Festival activities include bungee power jumping, a Ninja Warrior obstacle course, rides on a mini train, pony rides, a climbing mountain, giant inflatables, a toddler play area, game booths, and much more! Delicious food will be offered in the Festival Concession Stand, crafts, and homemade baked goods will be on sale in the Country Store and the Providence Marketplace will feature a variety of local vendors.
11. 43rd annual Bell Buckle Webb Art and Craft Festival
Saturday, October 19, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 20, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. FREE. Maple Street Bell Buckle.
Peruse more than 800 art, craft, and food booths in charming historic Bell Buckle.
12. ‘Boro International Festival
Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Cannonsburgh Village 312 S. Front St., Murfreesboro.
All ages can learn about the world through international arts and crafts, food, games music and dance performances.
13. Barfield Bash
Saturday, Oct. 25 AND Sunday, Oct. 26, 5 p.m. FREE; game tickets and food extra. Barfield Crescent Park, 697 Veterans Pkwy., Murfreesboro.
This popular yearly event features delightful festival activities including cake walks, dancing and costume contests, but it’s also known for its clever and spooky Twilight Trail and Haunted Hayride on Old Scream Road.
14. Rutherford Parent’s Fall Kid’s Fest
Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. FREE. The Avenue Murfreesboro, 2615 Medical Center Parkway.
Kids will love bouncing on inflatables, scaling the climbing wall, picking out a small pumpkin (while supplies last) and other activities. You can visit an array of local vendors and enjoy live entertainment throughout the day. Two costume contests for kids take place — one for babies and tots ages 6 months - 2 years, and the other for older kids ages 3 - 10. Participating kids will be entered into random drawings for cool prizes.
15. 43rd Harvest Days at Cannonsburgh Village
Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front St., Murfreesboro.
Come out for handmade crafts, hayrides, Cripple Creek Cloggers, 231 South Band, Uptown Country, Mid State Cloggers, Murfreesboro Art League, and the Rutherford Blacksmith Association. There will be food trucks, storytelling, hands-on demonstrations and much more.
16. Goblins and Goodies at the Park
Saturday, Oct. 26, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. FREE. Veterans Memorial Park La Vergne.
Children will love following a candy trail during this fun annual event. They’ll also get a hayride, play some games, and hike to trick or treat from local organizations and businesses.
17. Halloween in the Park
Saturday, Oct. 26, 3 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. FREE (nominal fee for some events). Sharp Springs Park, 1000 Espey Dr. Smyrna.
All ages will have a blast participating with a costume contest, train rides, haunted house, corn maze, inflatables and more than 80 booths of vendors to peruse at this Halloween event.
18. World Outreach Harvest Hoedow
Sunday, Oct. 27, 1-4 p.m. FREE. World Outreach Church campus, 1921 New Salem Hwy., Murfreesboro.
The entire family can enjoy games, food, bounce houses and dozens of other activities at this annual community favorite.
