Photo courtesy of Creativecommons.org
I’m from a smaller town in North Eastern PA that in the fall is abundant with haunted hayrides, harvest festivals, and some of the best foliage in the state. To get a little dose of home I did some research to see what Philadelphia had to offer this time of year. To my surprise Philly and the surrounding areas celebrate it’s country roots pretty similar to home.
Apple Fest-Saturday October 18, 2008 12:00pm-4:00pm
Apple Fest is located at Fox Chase Farm in North East Philadelphia. As you can guess the theme here is apples with cider pressing, apple bobbing, apple butter making. There will also be a corn maize, hayride, crafts and baked goods for sale.
Eastern State Penitentiary Terror Behind the Walls-Now Until November 2
According to their website the tour takes you through an 11 acre prison with five different haunted houses lasting 45 minutes. Tours are available day and night until November 2nd. The reviews say this is one of the scariest haunted houses in the United States. The penitentiary hold family nights that are more appropriate for younger children.
The Great Pumpkin Carve-Thursday October 23, 2008 5:00pm-October 25, 2008 9:00pm
Brandywine Valley artist take on a patch of large pumpkin at this annual pumpkin festival turning them into carved works of art. Held behind the Chads Ford Historical Society’s Barn celebrate the tradition of pumpkin carving with live music, food and hayrides.
Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival-Saturday October 18, 2008 10:00am-4:00pm
The festival is all about celebrating the harvest foods of Pennsylvania. Filbert Street will be closed to vehicle traffic and transformed into an urban farm with hay bales and corn stalks. Kids and adults alike will have the chance to climb on an authentic farm tractor for a hay ride around the Market, take a walk through a pumpkin patch, and enjoy hot apple cider, locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and more.