WEEKENDER BLOG

Fall Family Fun Day, downtown Cedar Falls (photo courtesy Community Main Street)

Fall is finally here and we've compiled a list of fall activities for kids and grown ups. Gather the kids and head out for some fall family fun! 
 

October 6

Girls’ Night Out
Downtown Cedar Falls, 5:00-9:00pm

Now on Friday night, participating downtown shops open their doors in the evening and offer specials, drawings and more during this annual event.
 

October 7

Pumpkin Fest
Earl May Garden Center, 10:00am-4:00pm

Lots of fun for the entire family with a scavenger hunt, pumpkin painting and more. And, most pumpkins are $1.99!
 

Preserving the Bounty
Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum, 2:00-3:00pm

Preserving the harvest has always been important to families. Local master gardener, Glenda Riddle, will talk about several ways to preserve food and the Cedar Falls Historical Society will have a mini display of Victorian-era preservation equipment. Free.
 

Fall Festival
Fox Ridge Winery (Traer), 2:00-9:00pm (music POSTPONED to October 8, 4:00-7:00pm)

All ages will have a good time at Fox Ridge Winery. Purchase a bottle of wine to enjoy on the porch or enjoy a hayride, pumpkin launching, face painting, games, live music (by Milk & Honey from 6-9pm) and more! 

Fox Ridge Winery, Pumpkin Launcher, photo credit: Fox Ridge Winery

October 8

Cedar Valley Farm Crawl
Variety of locations, noon-5:00pm

Learn how local producers grow their own food. This year’s farm crawl will include Fitkin Popcorn, Beck’s Orchard, Big Rock Bison, Hanson’s Hollow, Timeless Prairie Orchard, Rainbow Acres, Lindsay Dairy and Lauric Farms. Visit each farm at your own pace between noon and 5pm. At 5pm, enjoy a delicious meal at the Farm to Fork Harvest Celebration Dinner at the Independence High School. Dinner tickets are $10/person and children 12 and under eat free. Space is limited and you’ll need to purchase meal tickets in advance.
 

October 11

FX Fall Festival

Prairie Lakes Church, 5:30-8:00pm

Fall fun for families with kids through eighth grade. They’ll have food for purchase, laser tag, bounce houses, knockerball and much more! In case of inclement weather, the festivities will move inside. Free activities.
 

October 15

2nd Annual Fall Festival
West of the intersection of Richard and Donald Roads in Cedar Falls, 1:00-4:00pm

Structure Real Estate’s fall festival returns with pumpkin carving, scavenger hunt, hayrides and more!
 

October 21

Fall Family Fun Day
Downtown Cedar Falls, 10:00am-1:00pm

Bring the kids to the corner of 4th and Main Streets for Fall Family Fun Day! Activities will include face painting, a pumpkin giveaway, fall crafts, hayrides and live music by Ally & Kylie.

October 28

Fall Harvest Festival
Family YMCA of Black Hawk County, 9:30am-11:30am

This is a free indoor and outdoor community event that will be a fun-filled morning for all! Enjoy games, crafts, face painting, and snacks. Halloween costumes are optional, but encouraged! Free and open to the public
 

November 4

Chili Feed
Cedar Falls Woman’s Club, 11am-2pm

The Cedar Falls Woman's Club will hold their annual Chili Feed Saturday, November 4. All proceeds will benefit the Cedar Falls Woman's Club and their historic House of Friendship. Public admission is $10/person and includes chili, muffin and a dessert. Beverages will also be available for purchase.

Harvest Festival at Hick’s Place
Hick’s Place (6658 Pashby Road, Cedar Falls), 1pm-4pm

Celebrate autumn! Enjoy Hick’s Place activities and hayrides. $30/car (of 6 people or less).

Girls' Night Out, downtown Cedar Falls

Pick Your Best Pumpkin at these Pumpkin Patches

Hanson's Hallow
5071 15th Avenue, La Porte City

A local source for all your fall fun and pumpkins, gourds, squash, and other fall decorating needs!

Heartland Farms
5111 Osage Road, Waterloo

Choose from thousands of pumpkins of all sizes, squash and decorative gourds that you purchase by the pound. For an admission fee, take part in their Halloween activities, Monday - Sunday.

Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
1927 E Orange Road, Waterloo

A Family Market Place is once again offering their pumpkins for sale at the Cedar Valley Arboretum. Choose from a variety of pumpkins and colored squash!

Kiefer Farms
4881 Texas Street, Waterloo

This third-generation family farm offers a great selection of pumpkins, gourds and squash. They also have a family-friendly haunted house, haunted hayride and haunted walk for only $4 per person. They're open October 2-31: Monday-Friday 4-8pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am-8pm.
 

1. autumn
2. downtown
3. downtown cedar falls
4. fall
5. fall family fun
6. family fun
7. halloween
8. hayrides
9. pumpkins
10. things to do