Go to a fall fair or harvest festival

Fall festivals, whether they’re called fairs or harvest festivals, show up all over the country from September through October, and they’re the kind of day out that asks very little of you. You walk around, eat something fried, look at a giant pumpkin and watch a goat. It takes half a day, and it’s better with friends.

Find a fall festival near you

Search for “fall festival”, “harvest festival” or “fall fair” along with your town or county, and look at local farms, markets, churches, schools and community pages. Many are held on weekends in September and October. Check the dates, the hours, the entry cost and how to get there. Some events charge for parking or for each ride, and some are free to walk around.

When to go

• Morning: quieter, easier parking and shorter lines for food.
• Late afternoon into evening: often the prettiest light, and the lights come on at some fairs. It also gets cold fast.
• A weekday, if there’s one open: the least crowded.

Many events post a schedule of shows and judging times, so look at it before you go and plan around the one or two things you don’t want to miss. Check the weather the night before. A wet fair can be fun if you dress for it, but a muddy field and the wrong shoes are not.

What to bring

The list in the app covers the basics: cash, comfortable shoes, an appetite. A few extras help:

• Layers. Fall fairs are often in a field, and the temperature drops as the sun goes down.
• Shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. Grass, straw and mud are normal.
• A tote bag or small backpack for what you buy.
• Hand sanitiser or wipes. You’ll be eating with your hands.
• A water bottle, a phone charger and sunglasses if it’s bright.
• Small bills and coins for stalls and games.

What to do

There’s usually plenty. Pick two or three and let the rest happen:

• Giant vegetable displays. Pumpkins, squash and sunflowers in impressive sizes.
• Animals. Goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens and cows. If you pet them, wash your hands afterwards, and don’t eat or drink near them.
• Competitions and exhibits. Baking, jam, quilts and photography, often judged with ribbons.
• Crafts and stalls. Candles, baked goods, wool, honey and handmade gifts.
• Rides and games. Follow the rules on height and age, and listen to the operators.
• Music, parades and demonstrations. Many fairs have a stage or a small show.
• A corn maze or hayride, if there is one.

What to eat

Fairs are about the food. Common choices include cider donuts, caramel apples, roasted corn, kettle corn, pies, pretzels, funnel cake and hot cider. A good plan is to go with friends and share, so you can try more things without getting full on the first one. Look for stalls with a line of locals, and bring a drink or ask where there’s water.

If you have allergies, ask what’s in a dish before you order. Labelling at stalls can be patchy.

Stay safe and comfortable

• Agree on a meeting point and a time to check in if you split up.
• Keep your bag zipped and your phone in an inside pocket in crowded areas.
• Watch for uneven ground, hay and tent ropes.
• Take breaks, sit down and drink water.
• Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking. If you drink at all, you need to be 21 or older in the US.

Keep the day cheap

It’s easy to spend a lot, so set yourself a number before you go. Entry is often modest, and food and games are where it adds up. Bring a snack and eat your treats on purpose. You can also split big portions with a friend. The day stays in the “under $20” range for many people if they stick to a few things they care about.

Make it a fall day

Wear a thick sweater, plan to arrive when it opens and leave when you’re tired. Take a photo of the biggest pumpkin you can find with a friend standing next to it, and buy one small thing from a local stall to take home, such as a jar of jam or a candle. Then carve a pumpkin that evening.