Apples, Pumpkins, & Lanterns, OH MY!🍎🎃
Hey, Pumpkin!
Are you ready for more than a run-of-the-mill October? Fall in love with fall festivals and activities in Noble County when you explore apples, pumpkins, lanterns, and more! We have the information you need to make the most of the locals’ favorite season. Visitors, like the locals, will find fantastic fall fun ahead of the holiday season and the arrival of colder weather. With this guide, fill your October calendar with autumn seasonal favorites and create new traditions. We'll get you started here, but encourage you to explore our website to discover even more to do, places to stay, eat, drink, and enjoy this fall in Noble!
A list of annual Noble County happenings includes links to annual Fall events!
APPLES!
Kendallville's Apple Festival kicks off the month of October every year in Noble County, and it is our region's largest event! Eighty thousand people are expected to descend upon the Noble County Community Fairgrounds October 7 and 8 to attend. Many festival-goers will also make a short side-trip to enjoy Historic Downtown Kendallville’s Vintage Market, also taking place over the two day festival.
The Apple Festival’s mission is to provide entertainment and educational activities for the entire family while encouraging cultural and historical appreciation for local heritage.
Apple Festival-goers will be amazed by the array of apple-themed foods, live entertainment, primitive crafts area, and vendors of all things nostalgic and cozy. The Children’s Pioneer Craft Village and live demonstrations are among the many reasons large crowds visit the Apple Festival every year.
Apple Festival hours are Saturday, October 7, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Don't miss this unique fall favorite! (Festival planners ask that anyone who is not feeling please well stay home. Guests will find ample hand-washing stations at the festival and are encouraged to wear masks due to the high probability of shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.)
When you’re ready to take a break from the crowds, visit the Vintage Market along Main Street in Historic Downtown Kendallville October 7-8. During the Apple Festival, Kendallville's Main Street is transformed, featuring food trucks, baked goods, home décor, candles, sweatshirts, scrapbooking items, metal art, upcycled furniture, free kids’ activities, and more! Be sure to stop in the many locally owned shops as you explore one of Indiana's longest, contiguous, historic downtown districts. The biographies of historic local figures, seen in windows all along Main Street, will provide a deeper understanding of this vibrant community.
PUMPKINS!
Pumpkin growers in Noble County provide the backdrop to make fun fall memories and new traditions! Roberts Farms in Wawaka offers a variety of family-friendly fall farm activities including animals, a corn maze, playground, and pick-your-own pumpkin patch and flowers. Enjoy farm-fresh food, including pumpkin doughnuts and apple slushies!
Trowbridge Farm‘s Amazing Maze and Pumpkin Patch, located between Albion and Kendallville, offers 147 acres of family fun on the farm, including a corn maze, haunted house, haunted corn maze, wagon rides, duck races, putt-putt golf, bounce house, rock wall, straw mountain, and so much more! Pick out and purchase Halloween carving pumpkins and beautiful fall décor. Be sure to take the kids for a visit to the barn to see the animals.
Since 1972, children and adults have made Fashion Farm’s Pumpkin Fantasyland a family tradition!
Pumpkin Fantasyland is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in October. Local artist Sharon Cripe has been putting the faces of US Presidents on pumpkin “heads” since the beginning! The Hall of Presidents is one of the many unique pumpkin displays visitors will enjoy. Plus, visitors of all ages will enjoy hay wagon rides, a grass maze, a straw maze, a straw mound, and the family activity center.
Admission to Pumpkin Fantasyland is just $3 per person. For access to all related activities, ask for the “package deal." Weekday Packages are available for $13 per person. Weekend Packages are $15 per person. Upgrade your purchase with a Weekend Package + Super Mega Slide for just $20.00 per person (available for eligible riders.)
Countryscapes and Gardens, the gift shop, and the local favorite Fashion Farm Restaurant are also a must while visiting Pumpkin Fantasyland. Enjoy the rich family history of this unique attraction and year-round staple in Noble County.
LANTERNS!
Light up the night at the Second Annual Halloween Lantern Parade!
At dusk (about 7 p.m.) on Friday, October 28, experience the magic of the Halloween Lantern Parade, hosted by Historic Downtown Kendallville. Gather your posse and come down to Main Street to celebrate Halloween and the arts. Be more than a spectator, if you dare; join the parade and walk alongide zombies, witches, and dolls in stitches!
Parade lineup is at the Community Learning Center, 401 E Diamond Street, in the lot off Riley Street at 5:00 p.m. The parade will march a few blocks to reach downtown at dusk. Observers are also encouraged to participate by arriving in costume and with lights and lanterns of their own. Bring a chair and enjoy the sights and frights!
Vendors will offer commemorative t-shirts, glow lights, backlight flashlights and more. Find merchandise for sale in Founder's Park at the corner of Main and Rush Streets. Downtown shops will be open late and you can find a bite to eat at Pizza Forum and Whatchamacakes. Following the parade, Visit Noble County sponsors a free Halloween Movie Night at the historic Strand Theater, 221 S Main Street. Join us for family fun!
Noble County is your October destination for a weekend, or weeklong, final hurrah before the holiday season! No need to stop making memories there, though. Plan to rejuvenate and recharge this holiday season in Noble County - watch for upcoming recommendations!