Fall Picks: Free Autumn Experiences in Lane County

The cooler days bring crisp apples, pumpkin treats, and Instagram photos of vintage-y barns, colorful leaves and hayrides. Grab your little ones and go enjoy some of our favorite FREE autumn experiences throughout the Eugene area! For information about Lane County’s corn mazes and other seasonal events, visit here.

~~~~~~~~~
Apple Daze at Deterring Orchards
30946 Wyatt Drive in Harrisburg
Every Saturday and Sunday through October

Activities include:
Animal corral, hay rides, playground, apple blaster, treasure mining, music and antique farm equipment.
Free apple cobbler and fresh cider samples.
U-Pick fruit from the orchards and seasonal produce.
Vintage Market vendors to shop for fall décor!

*GoMomGo tip: The samples, the play area, the little goats, and the browsing all offer ample opportunities to enjoy family time without spending a dollar! But if you plan on doing your produce shopping at Deterring (do it…your dollars will go a long way) plan to buy $20 worth of produce so you get free tickets to the Apple Blaster (and your kids will adore you!). U-pick pumpkins are $.19/lb and u-pick/bulk apples seemed to be around $.60-.80/lb. Overall, Deterring’s produce prices are some of the best we’ve seen anywhere in Lane County.

~~~~~~~~~
Pumpkin Carving at Red Wagon Creamery
55 W. Broadway
October 27-30, from 3-5PM

Red Wagon Creamery hosts demos led by artists from The Watershed Arts Foundation. The first 100 youth get free pumpkins from local farms to carve, and everyone learns the history of pumpkin carving and gets 50 cents off a Red Wagon ice cream treat. 

~~~~~~~~~
Haunted Market at 5th Street Public Market
296 E. 5th Avenue
October 30-31, from 6-8PM

Prepare for two nights of trick-or-treating, face painting, spooky story-tellers, a photo booth, and fun for the whole family. Admission is FREE if you bring 3 cans of food to support Food For Lane County ($3/person otherwise).

~~~~~~~~~
Community-Style Trick-or-Treating
various locations
Friday, October 31
There are a number of organizations throughout Eugene who host a collective trick-or-treat experience for the family to enjoy:

Willamette Christian School
Friday, October 31 from 5:30-7PM
There will be up to 40 cars decorated for a fun and safe family trick or treat experience all set up in the WCS parking lot (2500 W. 18th Avenue in Eugene). It’s TRUNK or Treat!

Valley River Center
Friday, October 31 from 6-8PM
Bring your kids to VRC to trick-or-treat throughout the mall! A great indoor option in case the weather is soggy!

Downtown Eugene
Friday, October 31 from 3-6PM
Locations will be marked with orange and black balloons. At 5:30, join the Masquerade of Munchkins  at the Eugene Public Library and follow the route to Noisette, Red Wagon, Voodoo Doughnuts, and end at Kesey Square at 6PM.