Fall is a time to enjoy hay rides, carve pumpkins, drink cider, and bundle up in sweaters. And even though this last one may have to wait for a few months, we’re still gearing up for the sights, sounds, and smells of the season…and so is St. Augustine! Check out these local activities and events meant to get you warm, cozy, a little spooky, and in the spirit of fall.
Haunted Barn
Rype & Readi Downtown Farm Market
October 13, 15, 20, 21
If you’re the type to enjoy a little fright, don’t miss out on Rype & Readi’s Haunted Barn. The barn will be shrouded in darkness and the creatures that lurk within are no longer bound by the rules. You’ll experience the tribal fires of the scarecrows and witness the spooky stables as never before. And while you recover from the scares and frights, enjoy some delicious cider and a fresh doughnut! If your little ones aren’t ready for something spooky, visit the barn on Sunday, October 15 from 5-7:30pm for the Not-So-Spooky night. Tickets are $8 or $5 with a donation of a canned good.
www.rypeandreadi.com/events/haunted-mansion-downtown-farm-market
3rd Annual Scarecrow Building Contest
Rype & Readi Downtown Market
September 15-October 15
In celebration of our hardworking agricultural community in St Johns County, Rype & Readi is holding a Scarecrow Building activity and competition. This contest is open to registered groups from September 15 through October 15. Judging will take place the week of October 16. They will stand prominently in the pasture of our Elkton Farm and Downtown Farm Market until Saturday, October 28 when we host the annual Scarecrow Burning Man BBQ at the Elkton Farm! Scarecrow building fee is $10 per scarecrow. Building times are Fridays from 3-6pm, Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm.
www.rypeandreadi.com/events/third-annual-scarecrow-building-contest
Paint a Pumpkin
Rype & Readi Downtown Market
Saturdays and Sundays, October 7-22
Bring the kids to the Downtown Farm Market on these Saturday and Sunday mornings in October to pick a pumpkin from our pumpkin patch and paint on a spooky face! The farm will have all the supplies you need, just pick your pumpkin and start painting. Cost for the pumpkin is $3-5 per child. The event runs from 9am-12pm.
www.rypeandreadi.com/events/paint-your-pumpkin/
Spooktacular Bite & Fright BBQ and Burning Man Scarecrow
Rype & Readi Elkton Farm
October 28, 6-9pm
Don your costume (or not) and bask in the (hopefully) cool October air during the family-friendly farm event. During the Pumpkin Chuckin’ Trebuchet, teams gather on the field and let pumpkins fly like pie, sending vegetable fodder into the air to treat the herd of cows. Devor ribs, chicken, brats and dogs, and even a delicious dessert of apple crumble at the Bite & Fright BBQ. The evening ends with a ceremonial burning of the Scarecrows! This portion of the evening is for anyone 9 and up. 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Adult tickets are $15 and child tickets are $8 at the door.
www.rypeandreadi.com/events/spooktacular-bite-fright-bbq-burning-man-scarecrow
Farm Brunch and Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival
Rype & Readi Elkton Farm
November 4, 10am-2pm
The Farm Brunch & Pumpkin Chunkin Family Festival at Rype & Readi in Elkton is a day of food, activities, and live entertainment. A band will be on site playing live music as Rype & Readi catapults old Halloween pumpkins into the field for the cows to eat. Guests will be served an accompanying brunch meal, and other fun things to do will be available. Guests can do extreme kite flying, check out the petting zoo, go on a bike tour, or just enjoy the grounds.
www.rypeandreadi.com/events/farm-brunch-loop
Sykes and Cooper Corn Maze
Sykes and Cooper Farms, Elkton
October 7-29, Weekends
Combine a 9-acre corn maze full of “cornfusing” twists and turns, “live” entertainment – including, Jack, the loudest hee-hawing donkey around – and lots of farmtastic family fun. Mix it all together and you have “Agritainment!” The maze is only the tip of the iceberg. Enjoy jumping on one of the jump pads, visiting with the animals, riding through the fields on the hayride, a variety of delicious snack vendors, and more! General admission is $10. Children 2 and under are free.
www.sycofarms.com
Maze Dayz Fall Festival
Cowart Ranch and Farms, Bunnell
October 3-27, Weekends
Enjoy the best of the fall activities all October long at Cowart Ranch! Wind your way through the corn maze, pick out the perfect pumpkin, meet the farm animals, explore on a hayride, relax by a nighttime bonfire, and much more. The festival is held Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout October. Admission is $10. Children 3 and under are free.
www.cowartranchandfarms.com
Kids’ Haunted House Baking Class
Hot Shot Bakery and Cafe
October 21, 2-4pm
Celebrate the fall season and Halloween in the most scrumptious way!Students will learn how to assemble and design haunted houses made of delicious baked goods! Participants must be at least 8 years old. Ages 6-7 will be admitted if they have a parent or guardian to assist with the tasks their little hands struggle with. Those who are kids at heart, but no longer in body are also permitted so long as they promise to be on their very best behavior!
www.facebook.com/hotshotbakery
Florida’s Haunted Trails
Florida Agricultural Museum
October 26-28
The Florida Agricultural Museum hosts its annual Haunted Trails event on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights before Halloween – October 26, 27, and 28, 2017. Featuring a haunted house, magic shows, carnival games, and wagon rides through the woods, you’ll be ready to get your scare on! Everyone is invited to come in costume if they like. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children 5-12.
www.facebook.com/FloridaHauntedTrails
Creatures of the Night
The Alligator Farm Zoological Park
October 27-29
Join the wild side for 3 nights of treats, costumes, and fun! Meet eerie bugs and beasts in this hands-on experience while collecting creepy creature cards around the park. Sure to be a spooktacular time! Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults and $8 for children (2-11).
www.alligatorfarm.com/creatures-of-the-night
Opera’s Most Haunting Melodies
Mark Lance Armory, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
October 27 & 29
Experience a concert of ghostly encounters and beautiful tunes that haunt us. You can attend the concert in costume if the “spirit” moves you! The performance on the 27 is held at the Mark Lance Armory at 7:30pm. The performance on the 29 is held at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall at 4pm. Tickets are $35.
www.firstcoastopera.com
Great Chowder Debate
The Conch House Marina
November 5, 12-4pm
We’re all about cozying up on those cool fall afternoon with a steaming bowl of chowder and we’re not the only ones! The Annual Great Chowder Debate features over 30 local St. Augustine restaurants competing for “Best Chowder” bragging rights in five different chowder categories: Minorcan Conch Chowder, Minorcan Clam Chowder, New England Clam Chowder, Seafood Chowder, and Non-Seafood Chowder. Tasting tickets are $1 each.
www.bbbsstjohns.org/chowder-debate
Chili Cook-Off and Family Fun Day
Faith Community Church, St. Johns
November 18, 11am-3pm
If chili is more of your cold weather comfort food, we’ve got that too. Hosted by the St. Johns Professional Alliance to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, the event will include food trucks, live music, vendors, contests, raffles and plenty of activities for the kids. Admission to the event is free. For those who wish to participate in the Chili Cook-Off, tickets for a Taste and Judge Chili Pass are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the event.
www.efof.org/events/2017chilicookoff
To find more events in St. Augustine, visit our online calendar of events!
