Fall has officially arrived, and that means it’s time to have some fall fun! Pumpkin spice everything, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, and more!
Because everyone always tells me there is nothing to do around here, and because I am a bit of a petty sort, I’ve decided to tell you all the fall fun to be had in the area.
This is just going to be stuff happening in the next few weeks. Some is specifically fall-related, and some is just the fun things going on when it happens to be fall. No Halloween stuff yet. One, because it’s a bit early for all that, and two, because I’m going to do a separate rundown for Halloween later in October.
In the meantime, get out, have some fun, enjoy the last of the warm weather!
And shout out to Jimmy for giving me his space this week. Every time I do one of these articles, I get a little wordy. Not because I talk too much (hush, I do not.), but because, again, I’m a petty-Betty and there is just so much to do in the area, I want to give you as many options as I can!
I’m going to try to list these in date order, but if they get a little out of whack, I’m only human.
Fall is here and so is chili weather! Think your chili is top-notch? Join New Life Church for their movie and chili cook-off. They will be showing “Toy Story 5.” Bring a pot of chili, or just yourself! Taste chilis, vote for your favorite. Bring a friend! There will be other food available besides chili. The event is free! Join them this Friday, September 25th. Chili at 6 p.m., movie at 7 p.m., at New Life Church, 1500 Hidden Valley Dr., Montoursville (Loyalsock).
The Montoursville Kiwanis Fall Festival brings the community together and allows nonprofit organizations and clubs to raise money for charitable giving. Enjoy food, games, family-friendly activities, live music, bounce houses, fireworks, and so much more! Admission is free. Parking: $3 donation. The festival will be Friday, September 25th, and Saturday, September 26th. You can check out their Facebook event for the bands and schedule, because there are a ton of bands playing and things happening, but I will note that there will be fireworks Saturday at 9 p.m.
Church of the Resurrection, 75 Musser Lane, Muncy, is also hosting a Fall Festival. The Fall Festival menu includes hot dogs, sausage, stuffed cabbage, homemade pierogies, haluski, French fries, and much more. There will be games for kids and adults, a silent auction, a quilt, a basket, a cooler of cheer, and more raffles. Live music features the return of Rich Ahearn and Rick Kerstetter on Friday beginning at 4 p.m. and the Catawissa Military Band on Saturday starting at 4 p.m. Mums, baked goods, ice cream. The festival will be held Friday, September 25th, from 4-7 p.m., and Saturday, September 26th, from 1:30-7:30 p.m., rain or shine.
There will be a Small Farm & Homestead Market on September 26th, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at H&K Nursery & Feed Store, at 114 S. Montour St., Montoursville.
The Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Co. is hosting a Fall Festival on Saturday, the 26th from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. You can find them at the Hepburn Carnival Grounds, 4171 Lycoming Creek Rd., Williamsport.
I like to walk, and I like a good beer. The Audubon Society has an opportunity for both on September 26th, starting at 10 a.m. at Therapy Brewing, 3978 Quaker Church Rd., Montoursville. Back by popular demand, they are excited to partner again with the folks at Therapy Brewing to offer an opportunity to walk this beautiful property and maybe enjoy a fall beverage! Gather in the parking area and join the property owners as we walk the paths through meadows and forest, and have a post-walk refreshment at the Brewery!
If cars and food are more your speed, stop by the annual car show & chicken BBQ by the Rauchtown Nippenose Valley Lions Club. The event is Saturday, September 26th, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; awards presented at 2 p.m. at the Rauchtown Community Park, Rt. 880, Jersey Shore.
If cars and dogs are more your jam, rev your engines for a day of incredible vehicles, great food, live entertainment, local vendors, and family fun, all while helping dogs in our community find their second chance. Join The Safe Haus for the First Annual Revved for Rescue, where car enthusiasts, motorcycle lovers, local businesses, families, and dog lovers alike come together to make a difference. The event just got a new location at Antler’s on the Water and will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 27th.
Also on Sunday, September 27th, LittleTopia Play Place will be hosting a Touch-a Truck event, from noon- p.m. Admission is free. There will be face painting, games and crafts, glitter tattoos, and activities. Kona Ice and Good Grace will be available for purchase. LittleTopia is located at 320 E. 3rd St., Williamport.
Speaking of Antler’s on the Water. Be sure to join them for “The Sound That Stays,” Williamsport’s country & Americana music festival benefiting music education right here in our community! On October 3rd, starting at 11:30 a.m., you can enjoy a full day of live music, food and drinks, craft vendors, kids’ activities, a banjo workshop with Friendly Banjos, raffle prizes, and more. All proceeds support the Maxwell Engle Memorial Organization and its mission to expand access to music education in our community. “Following Max Engle’s passing in 2023, our family witnessed an incredible outpouring of love and support from this community. We created The Sound That Stays to share that same sense of connection with others — a space where music becomes medicine, and memories fuel us. Come for the music. Stay for the people. Leave with something that lasts.”
Central PA Vintage Fest takes place on Saturday, October 3rd from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Pajama Factory. This is their 6th Vintage Fest with 50+ vintage vendors & quality makers. Vintage clothing, decor, vinyl, collectibles, upcycled goods, unique finds & handcrafted items. Free admission.
Head to Fry Brothers Turkey Ranch for their Makers Market featuring local growers, bakers, and handcrafted goods. Shop fresh produce, homemade breads, unique crafts, and more while supporting local vendors in a family-friendly atmosphere. Fry Bros will also have a beer tent for sampling Pennsylvania-crafted beer sold at their locations as well! The Market runs every other Saturday, and if my calculations are correct, the last two of the season will be October 3rd and 17th, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (tentatively).
Sunday, October 4th, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., join the Clinton Central Model Railroad Club for their annual fall train meet. Activities slated for this show include quality dealers providing new and used model railroad trains and equipment, repair parts, and model cars, trucks, old toys, and buildings. An operating N-Scale layout. Club items such as hats, patches, and decals will be available. Information on future club activities and membership applications will be available. Donations of model railroading items will be accepted. Good food will be available. A variety of new, used, old, and antique model railroad items will be available to the general public. Admission is $ 3.00 for adults; children under 14 are free. Free parking. Additional information can be obtained from any club member or on our website http://www.ccmrr.org or by telephone Mike Barnes at 814-482-1361. The meet is held at the Woodward Township Volunteer Fire Company, 1st St., Linden.
Do you like to run? Do you also like to support a great cause? On Sunday, October 4th at 10 a.m., you can join the 2nd Annual Think Big Trail Challenge, a 5K & 10K trail race held on the beautiful trails of the Williamsport Water Authority. This event benefits the ThinkBig Pediatric Cancer Fund and is held in loving memory of Elliot Storms.
The South Williamsport Lions Club is holding a Chicken BBQ. Meals include chicken, baked potato, roll, and dessert. There will also be baked goods for purchase. Tickets are $13 and can be purchased from any South Williamsport Lions Club member. You can enjoy their BBQ on Saturday, October 10th, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the South Williamsport Community Park, 545 E. Central Ave., S. Williamsport.
While you are out and about, be sure to head up Trout Run way for Fall Fest at the Farm at Smith Farm & Fields, 6292 State Route 14, Trout Run. This is their 2nd annual Fall Fest, and it will be held on Saturday, October 10th from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free, so bring the whole family out to enjoy the day, shop local vendors, and spend time on the farm. For families who would like to participate in the farm activities, there will be a $5 activity fee per child. This helps them continue offering fun experiences and making the event even better each year. Simply stop by their booth when you arrive, pay your activity fee, and receive a hand stamp so you can continue and enjoy all the activities. You can enjoy hayrides, a corn maze, picking your own pumpkin, decorating your own pumpkin, a family photo opportunity, a pig giveaway, and hanging out with the pigs on the farm.
Muncy Junior/Senior High School is celebrating IndianFest on Saturday, October 10th at noon. MHS student organizations are working hard to raise funds for their school. They will have live entertainment this year, but last I checked, the details were still TBD.
One that is absolutely on my list is — Williamsport Exotic Plant Show will be hosting their 2nd show on Saturday, October 10th. They will not have one but two huge rooms on two separate levels with over 40 vendors — local and national — in their new venue at The Pajama Factory in Williamsport. Vendors will be displaying and selling a large variety of plants, from common to rare, hard-to-find plants. You will have access to knowledgeable plant collectors who are there to help guide you to the perfect plant(s) to add to, or even start, your collection. There will be an entrance fee of $2 per adult (children under 15 free with an accompanying adult); students with ID: $1. Proceeds will help support City Alliance Youth Group. VIP Shopping Hour is 10-11 a.m. For prepaid tickets, please see the Facebook event discussion for the link. General admission 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
I will have a lot more details on this coming up in a couple of weeks, but be sure to check out the Sullivan County Fall Festival Lumberjack & Chainsaw Carving Competitions! Held on Oct. 10th & 11th at the Forksville fairgrounds, this is the 45th Anniversary Celebration! Get ready for the ultimate weekend of sawdust, skill, and fall festival fun at the Sullivan County Fall Festival Lumberjack & Chainsaw Carving Competitions! Experience the thrilling art of master chainsaw carvers as they transform logs into stunning works of art, then bid on their quick-carve creations at the live auctions. Cheer on competitors in a variety of lumberjack and jill events, or the Sunday lumberjack obstacle course. Families will love the pumpkin painting, scavenger hunts, and tons of kids’ activities, while everyone can explore the Art Expo and Quilt Show & Sale, browse artisan vendors, and sample delicious specialty foods and classic fair favorites. Watch skilled demonstrators at work, including a blacksmith, bladesmith, and glass blower, and meet the crowd-favorite live alpacas. Surrounded by the spectacular autumn colors of Worlds End State Park and the Endless Mountains, this is a truly one-of-a-kind fall experience filled with live entertainment, hands-on fun, and unforgettable sights.
Balls Mills United Methodist Church will have loads of homemade food, soups, ice cream, kids’ games, and vendors at their Fall Festival on Saturday, October 10th, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The church is located at 5941 Bloomingrove Rd., Cogan Station.
Dave Bellomo has more details in his article, but don’t forget the CROP Walk is Sunday, October 11th. Walk to fight hunger! And learn more with Dave in a few pages!
Little Pine State Park is hosting their annual Fall Festival. The festival will be Sunday, October 11th, from 12-4 p.m. at the parking lot of the Main Day Use Area at Little Pine State Park. This is an outdoor festival that focuses on the natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities in north-central Pennsylvania. Displays and scheduled programs by state and county conservation agencies, local conservation organizations, and businesses related to the outdoors will be at the Fall Festival. There will also be live animals, crafts, demonstrations, and more. The festival may be modified or cancelled in the event of severe weather or new community guidelines. This will happen in the parking lot of the main day use area. Follow Little Pine State Park signs at the intersection of SR 4001 and PA Rt. 44 at Waterville.
If you find yourself hungry and don’t know what to do for dinner on Friday, October 16th, be sure to stop by All Saints Church, 1656 Scott St., Williamsport, for dinner! For only $10, you can get butternut squash or tortellini soup or chili, a toasted cheese sandwich, salad, and apple crumble, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 17th, beginning at 11 a.m., will be the First Annual Port Pride Festival in Brandon Park — a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in Williamsport, PA, and the wider Susquehanna Valley. Enjoy free admission, free entertainment, and a fabulous mix of artisans, food trucks, local businesses, and community organizations! This allages, familyfriendly festival welcomes everyone. It’s a day to honor the diversity, creativity, and spirit of our city by bringing together LGBTQ+ people, families, allies, and supportive organizations in one inclusive community gathering.
Join the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra for “Voices of America: A 250th Celebration,” on Tuesday, Oct. 20th at 7:30 p.m., at 220 W 4th St., Williamsport. The Williamsport Symphony Orchestra opens its 60th anniversary season with a stirring celebration of America’s 250th birthday through the music of some of the nation’s most iconic composers. The program begins with the sparkling energy and wit of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture, followed by Samuel Barber’s deeply moving Adagio for Strings. Audiences will then experience the expressive beauty of Florence Price’s Violin Concerto No. 2, a work filled with lyricism, warmth, and rich musical storytelling. The evening concludes with Aaron Copland’s majestic Symphony No. 3, featuring the beloved Fanfare for the Common Man. Together, these powerful works celebrate the spirit, creativity, diversity, and optimism that define American music. What You’ll Experience: A vibrant opening night filled with passion, patriotism, and unforgettable orchestral music honoring America’s rich artistic heritage.
Friday, October 23rd at 6:30 p.m., the Back Alley Bar & Grill, 321 Pine St., will host a night of dinner, drinks, villains, and murder. Step into character and see if you can solve “A Villain’s Vendetta.” Dinner. Drinks. Deception. Murder. For one unforgettable night, Back Alley is bringing together a room full of villains — and you aren’t coming to watch the story unfold. You’re becoming part of it. A fully immersive murder mystery dinner where every guest steps into character, mingles with fellow suspects, uncovers secrets, follows clues, and tries to solve a murder before the night is over. This event has limited seating; only 30 players will enter the game. They do want it noted before you buy a ticket. They want players, not spectators. This event is designed for guests who want to fully embrace the experience. You don’t need acting experience. You don’t need to memorize a script. And you definitely don’t need to be an extrovert. But you DO need to be willing to play. They encourage every guest to dress for their assigned character, interact with the other players, complete their objectives, and stay in character as much as possible throughout the evening. The more everyone commits, the better the mystery becomes.
The Meadows, 2160 Warrensville Rd., Montoursville. Is hosting a fall festival. Admission is free. There will be games, artisan vendors, food trucks, pumpkin decorating, and a trunk-or-treat on Saturday, October 24th, from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Also serving up a soup and sandwich lunch is Lycoming Valley Baptist Church. They are hosting a Widows’ fall soup and sandwich luncheon, with music by Tim Snyder and Family. RSVP to Shawna at 570-772-2961. The luncheon will be Saturday, October 31st, from noon to 2 p.m., and the church address is 4980 Lycoming Mall Rd., Montoursville.
Now that we are officially 2,600 words+ deep into this — do y’all believe me yet? There is plenty to do around here if you just do a little research. And this doesn’t even get into all the local bands playing in the area on a regular basis, or even all the hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and other outdoorsy stuff that is going to hit its peak in the coming weeks.
It also doesn’t get into all the local farms that are doing pumpkin patches, corn mazes, pumpkin-chuckin’ and all the other fun farm stuff! There is also a ton of great shows happening at the Community Arts Center this fall, and there are great shows coming up at the Community Theater League too! (Go back to last week’s issue for what coming up at the CTL.)
So be sure to check out some (or all, if you are feeling frisky) of these amazing events coming up. You get fun things to do while also supporting local businesses and organizations, and probably finding cool stuff and people along the way.
If nothing else, we are about to hit the dark, cold, wet wall of late fall and winter, so we should take the opportunity to get out and about and enjoy what is left of after 5 p.m. sunsets as much as we can! Enjoy your fall, y’all!
