Fall in Love with Fall Fests in Erie

Contributed photo

The Eerie Fall Fest is an annual celebration at Gridley Park, presented by Our West Bayfront. It includes a costumed parade, multiple craft and vendor stations, a pumpkin toss, and horse drawn carriage rides around the park. It is one of many fall festivals happening throughout the Erie region this month.

Now that summer has officially come to a close and there's a chill in the air, Erie is gearing up to celebrate fall with seasonal events throughout the city and county. There's something for everyone, from large festivals with vendors and rides, to community gatherings with live music. So, sip on some apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte and check out the fall fests happening this season.

Peek'n Peak Fall Fest 

1405 Old Rd., Clymer, N.Y.

Peek'n Peak Resort is hosting its 35th annual Fall Fest on the weekends of Oct. 14-15 and Oct. 21-22. Each day will be packed with activities, including a craft fair with over 100 vendors, games and pony rides for children, a farmers market, and ski lift rides to enjoy the fall foliage. Carolyn Tome, senior marketing manager for Scott Enterprises says the pumpkin cannon will return this year, as well as The Southern Tier Classic Chevy Club Cruise-In car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 15.

Fall Harvest Festival at Port Farms 

2055 Stone Quarry Rd., Waterford

From Sept. 16 through Oct. 29 celebrate the fall season with Port Farms at their Fall Harvest Festival. Visitors can enjoy food and drinks, pick pumpkins and gourds, traverse the extensive corn maze, and listen to live music performances. There are also a variety of activities and games for kids like feeding goats, riding the pedal carts, and apple cannons. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.

Eerie Fall Fest

598 Liberty St.

Gridley Park is having a spooky fall celebration on Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with crafts, games, free food, and horse-drawn carriage rides around the park. All of the event's activities will be run by student volunteers from Gannon University, says Marissa Litzenberg of Our West Bayfront. At noon kids can show off their costumes for a trick-or-treat parade with candy stations supported by local organizations.

Downtown Fall Fest

601 State St.

Erie Downtown Partnership is hosting their fifth annual fall festival in Perry Square on Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event includes the Classic Car Trunk or Treat, food vendors, and live music. There will be photo opportunities and kids art activities throughout the day. And of course, plenty of candy to go around!

Waterford Community Fall Harvest Festival

1 High St., Waterford

On Oct. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Waterford Township welcomes fall with a one-day festival at Gazebo Park. The event features live music, pie and basket raffles, pumpkin decorating, and food vendors. Visitors can buy their fall flowers and score free seeds at the festival as well.

Children's Fall Fest at HarborCREEP Nights

5601 Buffalo Rd., Harborcreek

This festival was created especially for children to enjoy the fall season with pumpkin decorating, fire trucks, and a kid-friendly haunted house. The event will take place on Oct. 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harborcreek Township building.

Fuller Hose Company Fall Fest

10300 W. Main St., North East

This year, the Fuller Hose Company is bringing artisans and local vendors to their fall fest on Oct. 6 from 4 to 9 p.m. and Oct. 7 from noon to 9 p.m. at Gravel Pit Park in North East. The vendors include local breweries, meaderies, and food trucks. There will also be live music playing throughout the event. All proceeds support the Fuller Hose Company, a volunteer firefighter organization.

Fairview Fall Fest

8271 Barker Rd., Fairview

Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority is hosting an afternoon full of fall activities on Oct. 15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Park. Visitors can enjoy free games and prizes, pumpkin launching and carving, and hay rides.

Best Little Fall Fest in Erie

10760 Donation Rd., Waterford

Mound Grove Golf and Events' second annual festival takes place on Oct. 22 from noon to 5 p.m. at Mound Grove in Waterford. The day will be full of activities, including a potato slingshot, a cake walk for prizes, and pumpkin decorating. Fifty vendors will display their handicrafts and musician Chris Higbee will perform at 4:30 p.m. The event benefits Hope on Horseback Therapeutic Riding Center.