festive festivals

Arguably, the second most anticipated aspect of the fall season—right behind pumpkin spice lattes, of course—are fall festivals.

Gather up the family and hit the farms, craft shows, pumpkin patches and corn mazes every weekend until December!

FALL CORN MAZE

Sept. 31-Nov. 5, times vary

Sweetfields Farm, Masaryktown

Get lost (and then found again) in a fun corn maze by locating clues at various checkpoints. Meet new animal friends, and pick your favorite pumpkin out of the picking patch to bring home. sweetfieldsfarm.com

2017 HERNANDO UNTAPPED: CRAFT BEER AND WINE FESTIVAL

Oct. 6, 6pm-10pm

American Aviation Flight Academy, Brooksville

One of the most talked about craft beer and wine festivals in the Tampa Bay region, this year’s festival will feature a live performance by Lost and Found and Soul Circus Cowboys. General admission is $35 per person and includes a complimentary tasting glass, unlimited samplings of beer and wine, plus entertainment. VIP admission is $60 per person, and designated driver admission is $10. hernandochamber.com

30TH ANNUAL SCARECROW FEST

Oct. 14, 10am-4pm

Historic Downtown Crystal River

This annual make-your-own-scarecrow event is one you don’t want to miss out on this fall season. theshoppeso eritagevillage.com

By Laurel GIllum

4TH ANNUAL CAMPING WITH THE BLUES! MUSIC FESTIVAL

Oct. 20-22, times vary Sertoma Youth Ranch, Brooksville

Camp out to your favorite blues music all weekend at this pet-friendly family event. Memphis Rub Band, Heather Gillis Band, Levee Town Band and more are all part of this year’s lineup. Plus a Camper’s Acoustic Jam Session will kick o the festivities each night—BYOI (bring your own instrument)! campingwiththeblues.com

GREAT AMERICAN COOTER FESTIVAL

Oct. 27-Oct. 29

Liberty Park, Inverness

51ST ANNUAL SAN ANTONIO RATTLESNAKE FESTIVAL AND RUN

Oct. 21-22, Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 11am-4pm Rotary Club, San Antonio

The annual Rattlesnake Festival & Run is a family-friendly, outdoor festival featuring live snake and reptile shows and wooden gopher tortoise races, a variety of entertainment and live music, handmade arts and crafts vendors, children’s games and crafts, pony rides, farm animals and an old-time pioneer village. There will also be inflatable fun houses, a rock climbing wall and, new this year, mechanical bull rides. rattlesnakefestival.com

This three-day music festival kicks o Friday with fi reworks, an exclusive Swamp Party VIP area and great rock ‘n’ roll from the Woodstock-era to the present. New this year, festivalgoers will fi nd food trucks, a wide array of vendors, carnival rides, water show spectaculars and a Cooter Zombie Run. Plus, check out the talent show, Cooterween Halloween Costume Contest and more. cooterfestival.com

FESTIVAL OF ARTS

Nov. 4: 9:30am-4:30pm, Nov. 5: 9:30am-4pm

Downtown Courthouse Square, Inverness

This two-day juried art show features over 100 artists and crafters featuring photography, oils, watercolors, sculptures, jewelry and more. This show transforms the streets of historic downtown Inverness into a magical land of fine art, live music and craftsmanship. invernessfestivalofthearts.com

LAKE HERNANDO DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

Nov. 11, 9am-5pm

Lake Hernando Park, Hernando

Find yourself anywhere from 10 to 20 coworkers, friends or family members to join you in this exciting boat race. If you participated last year and just want to watch this time around—enjoy live music, arts and crafts, food and drinks, and a play area just for kids. lakehernandodragonboatfestival.com

7TH ANNUAL CORN MAZE FESTIVAL

Sept. 29-Nov. 5, times vary

Timberline Farm, Belleview

Stop by the farm this fall where the entire family can enjoy music, pony rides, face painting, food and craft vendors, made complete with some good ol’ country charm. timberlinefarm.net

COON HOLLO CORN MAZE

Oct. 6-Nov. 5, Friday: 4pm-Dusk, Saturday: 10am-Dusk, Sunday: 12pm-Dusk

Micanopy

What’s fall without a visit to Coon Hollo? Are we right? From pig racing to country carousels—no doubt one trip will not be enough. coonhollocornmaze.com

7TH ANNUAL OCALA PUMPKIN RUN AND CAR SHOW

Oct. 27-29, Friday and Saturday: 8am-4pm

Sunday: 8am-3pm

Castro Farms, Ocala

Classic cars, family activities, BMX stunts, motocross tricks, fall festivities—oh my! Don’t be the only one in Ocala not to check out this popular event. ocalapumpkinrun.com

43RD ANNUAL MICANOPY FALL FESTIVAL

Oct. 28-29, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Sunday: 9am-4pm

Cholokka Boulevard, Micanopy

Along with the 200-plus displays of arts and crafts, there are many other attractions and family-friendly happenings. Check out the main stage for a variety of performances throughout the festival. micanopyfallfestival.org

FAFO’S 51ST ANNUAL OCALA ARTS FESTIVAL

Oct. 28-29, 9am-5pm

Downtown Ocala

Panel judges bring in a minimum of 155 artists from all over the country to showcase their artwork and compete for prizes worth thousands of dollars. Everything from paintings and photography to sculpture and outdoor art is included. Plus, there will be a student art tent, live music and kid-friendly events. fafo.org

THE PICKIN’ PATCH

Through Oct. 29, Friday: 3pm-7pm, Saturday: 10am-7pm, Sunday: 12pm-7pm

Dunnellon

Pop in and pick the prettiest pumpkin straight from the patch! Plus enjoy hay rides, a corn maze, hay fort and more. New this year, join the patch every Saturday from 11:30am-3pm and Sundays from 1-4pm for live bluegrass music from some of Florida’s best bluegrass bands. Admission is $5 per person, and children 3 and under are free. dunnellonpumpkinpatch.com

HARVEST FEST MUSIC AND FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

Nov. 11, 1-10pm

Tuscawilla Park, Ocala

Ocala’s biggest music festival is here once again—bigger and better than ever. Multiple stages and bands will be performing all day long. There will also be food trucks, fine arts, crafts, sales and nonprofit vendors. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item. feeldowntownlive.com

DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL AND ART SHOW

Nov. 11-12, Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: 10am-4pm

Downtown Gainesville

The streets of historic downtown Gainesville, from city hall to the Hippodrome State Theatre, will be transformed into a celebration of art and creativity complete with live music, performing arts and a spectacular array of food. gainesvilledowntownartfest.org

Oct. 21, 8am-5pm

Van Ness Park, McIntosh friendsofmcintosh.org