2012 Greater Cincinnati Fall Festivals and Farm Fun!

We here at Family Friendly Cincinnati have the best readers! Two years ago when we decided to put together a post about fun things to do this fall in Cincinnati we went straight to you.  We asked for your recommendations on our Facebook Fan Page, and boy did you deliver!

We’ve updated that list  for 2012 and following is a compilation of all the great fall events and activities you told us about. After each suggestion you’ll see that we’ve added some additional information to give you an idea of things like costs, activities and directions.

Also, we’ll be adding a link to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Trick or Treat times listing as soon as we see it go live and we are working on a haunted events and activities post too, so be sure to bookmark this post!

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Photo from Minges Pumpkin Festival in Harrison

“The Minges Pumpkin Festival in Harrison, OH is a wonderful family tradition of ours. The kids have a blast. The dates this year are Oct. 20th (10am-7pm) & 21st (10am – 6pm). Here is a link to their website: www.mingespumpkinfest.com” {From reader Angie Sutton Deffenbaugh}

“Minges Pumpkin Fest in Harrison. Try parking on a near-by side street and walking in.” {FFC Reader Regina Radcliffe Rankin}

Additional Information: Free Parking; Admission is $5 with children 12 and under getting in for free. They are still finalizing details, but kids events have include: Pumpkin Pie Eating, Seed Spitting, Cow Chip Throwing, Sack Races, Tug of War, Egg Toss (must be 16), Hog Calling (adults too), greased pole climbing and more. Celebrating it’s 28th year!  DIRECTIONS.

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“www.kinmanfarmsfallfest.com and Hallozeen at The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. We have never missed”{FFC Reader Pam Zepf}

Additional Information:

Kinman Farms Fall Fest runs weekends, September 22 through October 31, Fridays 5pm-10pm, Saturdays 10am-10pm and Sundays 12pm-7pm. Festivities include music, barnyard with Alpacas and a miniature horse (among others), barnyard ride, pumpkins galore, hayride, pony rides ($3), a 5 acre corn maze and more. Cost is $8. COUPON   DIRECTIONS

Cincinnati Zoo’s Hallzoween is open weekends, October 6 – 7, 13 – 14 and 20-21 and 27-28. It is FREE with paid Zoo admission. Hours are noon – 5pm and children are encouraged to come in costume. Fun includes Trick-or-Treat stations, special animal encounters, pumpkin patch, special shows an more.

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“Farm Haven-10515 US Highway 42, Union, KY 41091 — Best Pumpkin patch our family has been to! We visited Farm Haven for the first time the fall of 2009 and can’t wait to go back this fall! They have the best hay ride around! I would like to see a pumpkin included in the $8.00 admission fee, but still a great farm to visit in the fall with your family. Pony rides and pumpkins cost extra.” {From Reader Debra McCutchen}

Additional Information: Open Saturdays and Sundays in October, 11am – 7pm. $8 admission for children 3 and up,  includes corn maze, petting zoo, hayride and tour our Log Cabin. Also available is a concession stand, pony rides, pumpkins and a baked goods and craft store. More details over on the website. DIRECTIONS.

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“Haunted dinners at Hammel House Inn in Waynesville, followed by Ghostly walking tours by the museum.” {From Reader Belinda Wright}

Additional Information: Website not yet updated at time of post. {From Last Year: Dinners are called Ghosts and Goblets Dinners and are held weekends in October. Evening includes scary talks and a tour of other local ghostly sites. Reservations are required. Sounds like an event that older children might enjoy.}

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Corn Maze at Irons Fruit Farm. Via Facebook.

“Irons Farm in Lebanon, Shaw Farm , Halloween Nights at Parky’s Farm, and the Black Walnut Weekend (bring your own things to tie dye for free) at Farbach Werner – that’s all I can think of off the top of my head. :~)”  {From FFC Contributor Karen Ottopal Eborall}

Additional Information:
Irons Fruit Farm – Fall fun runs last weekend in September and all weekends in October.  Activities include hayrides for pumpkins (12pm – 5pm), a 12 acre corn maze themed Cincinnati Reds!, apple cider, wagon rides, and more. DIRECTIONS

Shaw Farms – Last weekend in September and all weekends in October. Free Admission and parking. Family fun includes hayrides, barn dances, learn about bees and taste fresh honey, face painting, farm animals, 8 acre corn maze, interactive playground and more! Milford area.  DIRECTIONS. COUPON.

Parky’s Farm –  Parky’s offers a fun, non-scary, Halloween event, Halloween Nights,  that includes a display of thousands of lights and lots of kid friendly Halloween activities. Fun runs October 4-28 and hours are Thursday through Sunday, 6pm – 10pm. Cost is $6 per person, 23 months and under admitted free. DIRECTIONS. Parky’s also offers several Fun Farm programs during the day in October. DETAILS

Black Walnut Weekend – Website not yet updated at time of post. Takes place at Farbach Werner Nature Preserve in Colerain Township.

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“Marvin’s Organic Gardens is going to have a Fall Harvest Event on October (Date TBD)  for families. Hayrides, face painting, food, music, etc. Plus, a fun pie baking contest!” {From Reader Audrey Duren Keyes} Website not yet updated at time of post.

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“Burger Farm in Newton. Great pumpkin patch and “festival” type set up.” {From Reader Katie Barkley Lavelle}

Additional Information: Website not yet updated at time of post. {From Last Year: Annual Pumpkin Festival — Open each weekend in October through October 30. Hours are 10am – 5pm and admission is $2 per person which includes hayride, puppet show and access to pumpkinland.  Other activities are available but are priced separately. Parking is free. DIRECTIONS  & ONE FREE ADMISSION COUPON}

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Corn Maze at Blooms & Berries via their website.

“Blooms and Berries on 48 just outside of downtown Loveland. Awesome, big corn maze, fantastic hayride, fun games for young and old. We hit it every year!” {From Reader Jenny Davis Rupe}

Additional Information: Fall on the Farm features hayrides through scarecrow village, a new bucking cow train, pumpkin paintball, 7 acre corn maze, caramel apples, goat feeding, egg throw  and more!  Parking and Admission to the farm and parking is free, goat food is $.25. There are costs for the Corn Maze ($5), Hayride ($4), Sunflower path ($1.50) and a few other activities, but they offer an all access pass for $8. Hours are daily 10am -6pm and Sundays 11am – 6pm. DIRECTIONS.

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“Bonnybrook Farms is a MUST.” {From Reader Kathy Frazier Goodpastor}

Additional Information:  Bonnybrook Farms Fall Farm Festivals:Barnyard Festival: Saturday & Sundays Sept. 22 & 23 and 29 & 30, Noon – 5:30pm;  Pumpkin & Gourd Festival: Saturdays & Sundays Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, Noon – 5:30pm; Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival: Saturday & Sunday Oct. 27 – 28,  Noon – 5:30pm |  Fun includes Friendly petting animals, Farmyard Play Area with play houses, swings, sandbox and train locomotive, Horseshoe Hill with tunnel and 80′ underground slide, Bonnybrook Farms’ Coloring Contest, and Guess the weight of the Gianormous Pumpkin. Cost: All Inclusive Pass: $19, or pay per activities (see website for pricing) | DIRECTIONS

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“Pumpkin Patch Express with the LM&M Railroad – stops at Schappacher Farms in Mason. Fall-o-Ween Festival at Coney Island.” {From FFC Contributor Kristin Goecke}

Additional Information:
Pumpkin Patch Express – Fun includes a corn maze, lots of animals, picking a pie pumpkin and of course, a TRAIN ride! Cost is $18.50 for adults, $15.50 for kids 5-16 & seniors and $8.50 for kids ages 2-4. Runs weekends in October. DETAILS

Fall-o-Ween Festival At Coney Island –  Sept. 29-30, Oct. 6-7, Oct. 13-14 Festival includes fall decorative displays, kids’ Trick or Treat Trail, live stage entertainment, farmyard friends, pony rides, hayrides and more. Coney’s classic family rides will be operating, too. Plus, for the first time ever, and just in time for the fall planting season, Coney presents FallScapes, a new landscape design exhibit featuring creative visions for your backyard by local master gardeners and award-winning designers. Hours: Noon-6:00 p.m. all days; admission $9. Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., exit 72 off I-275. More information: (513) 232-8230. www.coneyislandpark.com.

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“Niederman Family Farm for Corn Maze, Hayride, and best Pumpkin Patch. Great Family Fun ” {FFC Reader Christina Lee Siscoe}

Additional Information: Neiderman Family Farm Fall Activities  take place in September and October. Hours: Starting September 14, 2012, open on weekends; Fri 6-10, Sat 11am-10pm and Sunday 1-6. Beginning in October, Wednesday & Thursday from 6pm – 9pm; Friday from 6pm – 10pm; Saturday from 11am – 10pm; Sunday from 1pm – 6pm; Monday & Tuesday by reservation. Admission is $9 per person (children age 2 and younger are free).  Fun includes Hayrides, corn maze, trip to the pumpkin patch, lots of barnyard animals to visit and lots more. Located in Hamilton. DIRECTIONS

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Additional Fall Events Around the Tri-State:

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Jack-O-Lantern Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction September 22-October 31; 7379 Squire Ct., West Chester, OH
45069, (513) 898-8000. (877-898-4656.) Indoor, climate controlled family Halloween celebration in a kid-friendly, themed environment; Main Street Halloween decorations; walk-through trick-or-treat maze with kid-friendly ghosts, skeletons, cobwebs and multiple treat stations; area’s only indoor Pumpkin Patch (where kids get a free mini-pumpkin); Halloween crafts; talking pumpkin; Halloweenville miniature animated display; outdoor straw maze and Halloween themed hand-cranked train cars and electric train ride; all other attractions also open (world’s largest indoor model train display, giant kids’ play area, A-maze-N FunHouse, American Railroading Museum, and more.) Open Mon.-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Attraction pricing starts at $9.95; kids 2 and under free; free parking; visit www.entertrainmentjunction.com.

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Daniel’s Petting Farm & Pumpkin Patch – One of our favorites, Daniels Petting Farm and Pumpkin Patch is located in Walton, KY. Open Saturdays and Sundays in October from 10am to 6pm. Admission is just $8 per person which includes one cup of feed per person for the animals (lots of them!), playground fun, hay bale maze and a hayride through the farm which includes a stop at their pumpkin patch (pumpkins extra).  DIRECTIONS

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McGlasson’s Farm off Route 8 — Oct. 6, 13, 20 & 21 – Enjoy live music with bands like Jake Speed & the Freddies and River Cats while you pick pumpkins, drink cider and more. Music starts around 1pm and lasts throughout the day. Free to attend. All shows are from 1-4pm DIRECTIONS.

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Warren County Historical Society– Lebanon, Ohio  (FFC suggests for older children)

• Haunted Ghost Tours: Haunted Harmon Hall -8:30pm – 10:30pm on October 19 & 26; Cost: $20;

Reservations are required and tickets must be purchased in advance –  513-932-1817 or www.wchsmuseum.org.  DIRECTIONS

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Lebanon Theatre Hauntings – Lebanon, Ohio (Ages 13 and up)
October 19  & 20 | 9pm | Experience an evening of light-hearted Halloween Magic followed by a dark turn into unnerving Paranormal Theatre. Join local magicians Scott Meyer, Sean Owens, and Brahm Corstanje (a.k.a., The Haunted One), for a memorable evening of Halloween-themed entertainment. The production is rated PG-13.  Location: 10 S. Mechanic Street, Lebanon.  Tickets are $13.  Reservations: 513-228-0932 or DETAILS  DIRECTIONS

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Neltner Farm & Greenhouses – Neltner Farms Fall Festival, weekends in October| 10am – 6pm | Age 3 & up $5, includes horse drawn wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, 2-acre corn maize, face painting, petting zoo & plenty of acres to roam.  Open Weekdays 9am – 6pm with free admission. Still updating event so watch for more info. Located in Melbourne, KY DIRECTIONS |  SPECIAL COUPON!

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Fall Wagon Tours at Miami Whitewater Forest – Runs Sept. 24 – Sept. 27. Online registration required. Take a tractor drawn wagon ride through the beautiful woodlands. Great for older adults and others who may have difficulty navigating trails. Cost is $5. Must register by Sept. 20.

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Fall Harvest Festival at Heritage Village Museum - September 22 & 23; Enjoy demonstrations on cider pressing, apple butter making, and more. Kids activities include donut eating contests, old-fashioned games, pumpkin painting +. Cost is $4 kids 5-11, $7 adults, free for members and children 4 & under.

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Fall Fun Days at Meadow View Growers- This is a family-friendly fall event includes an 8-acre corn maze, zip line, petting zoo, hayride and more. Runs Friday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 28. Located in New Carlisle, Ohio.  Costs: Children 12 and up  $9.00, Children 4 – 11 $6.00, Children 3 and under FREE with paid admission. Additional costs for certain activities.  COUPON

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City of Blue Ash 2012 Halloween Walk in the Woods  -- Sponsored by the City of Blue Ash and hosted by the Blue Ash Recreation Department, the 2012 Halloween Walk in the Woods takes place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Set in the Blue Ash Nature Park, the family-friendly event for children ages 10 and younger invites youths to follow a path in a fun, non-scary atmosphere for trick or treating.

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