October Fall Festivities

Here are some fantastic fun-filled family activities to enjoy this fall! Events listed below are for the month of October (with a few for September too!)

September 22^nd (Saturday):

Support the Trails 5K (University Place), 8:30am@

Support local parks by joining Chambers Creek Foundation by raising awareness of Chambers Creek Canyon Trail. Enjoy a challenging yet scenic route to start off the morning! Day of registration available starting at 7am.
https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/5898/Support-the-Trails-5K

Community Harvest Festival at Lake Wilderness Arboretum (Maple Valley), 10am-2pm

Celebrate the autumn solstice! Enjoy family activities (catered to include infants) including apple cider pressing, face-painting, free organic soups, free fall-themed treats, forest play and nature-crafting, live music, petting farm animals and more! Suggested $15 donation per family or “pay as you will”; donations go towards community programs that serve children.
https://www.greenplaynw.org/community-harvest-festival/ & https://www.facebook.com/events/2063095703705262/

October 6^th (Saturday):

Puyallup Watershed Salmon Homecoming Celebration at DeCoursey Park (Puyallup), 11am-3pm

Celebrate the return of spawning salmon! Admission and all activities are free, appropriate for all ages. Learn about the environment and the journey of the salmon returning each fall.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/puyallup-watershed-salmon-homecoming-celebration-tickets-48461240876

Fife Harvest Festival at Dacca Park, 10:30am-7:30pm

Arts, crafts, food, performances, vendors, free admission!
http://cityoffife.org/city-departments/parks-and-recreation/special-events/harvest-festival

Scarecrow Festival at Sehmel Homestead Park (Gig Harbor), 10am-4pm

Farm animals, hay rides, camel & pony rides, carnival games, free admission!
http://www.penmetparks.org/special-events/scarecrow-festival

Key Peninsula Farm Tour, 10am-4pm

http://www.kpfarmtour.com/mapschedule.html

October 7^th (Sunday):

Steilacoom Historic Downtown Apple Squeeze, 10am-4pm

Apple press, street fair of hand-made crafts, live music, pony rides (12pm-4pm), free admission!
http://www.steilacoomhistorical.org/

Pics at the Patch at Picha Farms (Puyallup), 10am-1pm

Complimentary family pictures by Always Meant To Be Photography; complimentary coffee and donuts available!
https://www.facebook.com/events/511885705890417/?active_tab=about

October 13^th (Saturday):

Cider Squeeze at Meeker Mansion (Puyallup), 10am-4pm

Purchase apples at the mansion and squeeze your own fresh cider, pick your own pumpkin at the patch, free admission!
https://meekermansion.org/event/cider-squeeze/

Family Nature Walk at Swan Creek Park (Tacoma), 10-11am

Free naturalist-led walk organized and led by Tacoma Nature Center staff; pre-registration required (call (253) 404-3930)
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=9491
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/swan-creek-park/

Family Nature Walk at Wapato Park (Tacoma), 1-2pm

Free naturalist-led walk organized and led by Tacoma Nature Center staff; pre-registration required (call (253) 404-3930)
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=9496
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/wapato-park/

October 19^th  (Friday):

Hoot ‘n’ Howl at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (Eatonville), 5-9pm

Family fun featuring glowing pumpkins, treats, games and learn about the nocturnal animals. Come in costume! Tickets $10-12/person online, $16 at the gate
https://www.nwtrek.org/event/hoot/

October 20^th (Saturday):

“Downton Abbey Themed” Tea at Meeker Mansion (Puyallup), 1pm-3pm

Dress in “Downton Abbey Themed” attire and enjoy a Victorian tea and tour. Reservations required, $18/person. Call 253-848-1770 for reservations.
https://meekermansion.org/event/downton-abbey-themed-tea/

Hoot ‘n’ Howl at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (Eatonville), 5-9pm

Family fun featuring glowing pumpkins, treats, games and learn about the nocturnal animals. Come in costume! Tickets $10-12/person online, $16 at the gate
https://www.nwtrek.org/event/hoot/

Family Nature Walk at Oak Tree Park (Tacoma), 10-11am

Free naturalist-led walk organized and led by Tacoma Nature Center staff; pre-registration required (call (253) 404-3930)
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=9501
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/oak-tree-park/

Ranger-Led Nature Walk (Tacoma), 1-2pm 

Learn about the plants and animals in the special old-growth forest of Point Defiance Park led by the Park Ranger. Reserve free spot online:
https://apm.activecommunities.com/metroparkstacoma/Activity_Search/ranger-led-nature-walk/1185?_ga=2.231858008.655905673.1537200009-308912274.1537200009
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=8301

October 26^th (Friday)

Harvest Fest at People’s Center (Tacoma), 6-8pm

Celebrate fall at the People’s Center – free admission!
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=2577

October 27^th (Saturday):

Tacoma Giants: Part 1 Trees of Point Defiance Park (Tacoma), 9-10am

Learn about the large trees in Point Defiance Park led by a Certified Arborist.  $4/ person, sign up online or call 253-305-1022
https://apm.activecommunities.com/metroparkstacoma/Activity_Search/tacoma-giants-part-1-introduction-to-the-trees/1176?_ga=2.230962648.655905673.1537200009-308912274.1537200009
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=7411

Family Nature Walk – Wapato Hills Park (Tacoma), 10-11am

Free naturalist-led walk organized and led by Tacoma Nature Center staff; pre-registration required (call (253) 404-3930) https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=9506
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/wapato-park/

Tacoma Giants: Part 2 Immersion Tree Walk (Tacoma), 11am-1pm

Immerse yourself into world of living natural history at Point Defiance. $8/ person, sign up online or call 253-305-1022
https://apm.activecommunities.com/metroparkstacoma/Activity_Search/tacoma-giants-part-2-immersion-tree-walk/1181?_ga=2.5575924.655905673.1537200009-308912274.1537200009
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=7431

Family Nature Walk – Tacoma Nature Center

Free naturalist-led walk organized and led by Tacoma Nature Center staff; pre-registration required (call (253) 404-3930)
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/index.php?cid=9511
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/tacomanaturecenter/

Pumpkin Chomp ‘n’ Stomp at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (Eatonville), 9:30am-3pm

Watch animals chomp, stomp, roll and play with pumpkins. Free with park admission.
https://www.nwtrek.org/event/chompnstomp/

Halloween Harvest Festival and Les Gove Trunk-or-Treat (Auburn), 2pm-5pm

For kids ages 2-10 and their families; free games, crafts, photo booth and Trunk-or-Treat. Bring canned and boxed food to support the Auburn Food bank.
http://www.auburnwa.gov/things_to_do/community/halloween_s_p212.htm

Black Cat Fun Run at Point Defiance Five Mile Drive (Tacoma), 7pm

Kids’ Race, 2.5 mile and 5 mile distances available! Wear your flashiest costume and bling while enjoying glow sticks, zoo lights characters, strobe lights and more along the lighted roadway. Registration details on website.
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/black-cat/

Every weekend in October:

Cedar River Salmon Journey (Various Locations), Saturday-Sunday 11am-4pm

Dates: October 6-7, October 13-14, October 20-21, October 27-28
Locations: Renton Library, Cedar River Park, Cavanaugh Pond and Landsburg Park and Dam
Experienced volunteer naturalists available each day to learn about the salmon spawning journey!
https://www.cityofpuyallup.org/1204/Fish-Hatchery

Puyallup Trout Hatchery (Puyallup), 8:30am-4:30pm daily; Education Center open Saturdays 10am-2pm

Learn about Chum Salmon migration by walking around the Clarks Creek Park! Volunteers staff the Educational Center on Saturdays.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/salmon/chum/viewing/clarks_crk.html

Lattin’s Country Cider Mill & Farm Apple Festival (Olympia), Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm  

U-Pick pumpkins, animal train, face painting, petting farm, pony rides, goat walks; free admission and $5 parking
http://lattinscider.com/applefestival.html

Old McDebbie’s Farm at Jim’s U Fish (Spanaway), Friday-Sunday 10-6pm

U-Fish (Rainbow Trout you can catch and bring home to cook!), pony rides, train rides, Halloween I-Spy game, pre-picked pumpkins available; general admission $6/person (includes access to farm, I-Spy trail, musical forest, play areas, barn and exotic animals)
http://www.oldmcdebbiesfarm.net/Services.html

Double R Farms (Puyallup), weekdays 3-6pm, weekends 10am-6pm

U-Pick pumpkin patch, 5-acre corn maze ($5 admission), FREE tractor hay rides (weather permitted) and pumpkin sling shots ($1.00/shot)
https://www.double-r-farms.net/index.htm

Picha Farms (Puyallup Valley), weekdays 3-6pm, weekends 10am-6pm

U-Pick pumpkin patch, corn maze ($6/person), pumpkin sling shot, hayrides ($3/person), train rides (weekends only, $1/person)
http://www.pichafarms.com/pumpkins.php

Scholz Farm and Garden (Puyallup), 9am-6pm daily

‘Pumpkin Palace’ U-Pick pumpkins, farm animals, small corn maze (free admission!) and educational farm tours by appointment
http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/farm/scholz-farm-and-garden

Spooner Farms (Puyallup), 9am-6pm daily

Pumpkin U-Pick patch open daily, corn maze ($7-9/person), pumpkin sling shot (limited time), farm animals (limited time), face painting (weekends only), sweet treats, roasted corn (weekends only), animal barn
http://www.spoonerberries.com/harvest-festival/
http://www.spoonerberries.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018-Spooner-Harvest-Festival-Flyer.pdf

We hope you enjoy the beautiful PNW fall with all these great activities!

Adriana Ho, MS, RD, CD
Registered Dietitian

To read more blog posts written by Adriana, click here.