From picking out the perfect pumpkin at the pumpkin house to playing in the field of playhouses to getting festive face paint, the third annual Fall Festival at Brown & Brown Farms has plenty of activities to keep the family busy.
Opening day of the festival was Oct. 4, following a change in schedule due to Hurricane Helene.
“In preparation for Hurricane Helene, we had to secure the farm, strap items down, take tents/displays down, etc., and won’t have enough time to get everything ready,” the farm explained in a post on Facebook on Sept. 27.
After completing some minor repairs and using every moment before opening to make sure guests have a great experience, employees welcomed families to experience fall fun at the farm.
The first thing guests of any age must do after they come through admissions is decide what direction they will head.
Most children ran to the first attraction that caught their eye and captured their hearts, while their parents or grandparents followed behind.
Francesca Ortiz, of Orlando, said she made the long drive to come to the farms after seeing the activities on Facebook.
She said it was enjoyable to feed to animals and was excited to experience the rest of what the farm had to offer.
Opening night ended with a firework show that dazzled the night sky with fall hues of red and orange. The fireworks show continues every Friday at 8 p.m.
Guests also can make the most of their trip to Brown & Brown Farms by simultaneously traveling to prehistoric times for the Jurassic Farm Dino Fest.
Hear the roars from different dinosaurs on display through Oct. 14. T-rexes, brachiosauruses and triceratops are all a part of the automated, life-sized dinosaurs on display.
Those less courageous can explore the field of sunflowers and pick them to take home.
The Fall Harvest Festival will last until Nov. 3 at Brown & Brown Farms, 13940 U.S. Highway 301, Oxford. The festival is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
General admission is $15 per person, while seniors pay $13.50 and children 2 and under are free.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit brownandbrownfarms.com.
If you are looking for more local Halloween events, here are some upcoming activities to add to your calendar:
Oct. 19: 39th Annual Bushnell Fall Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 117 E. Joe P. Strickland Jr. Ave., free, cityofbushnellfl.com: Participate in a variety of games and contests, as well as a enjoy a parade and fireworks show.
Oct. 19: Lady Lake’s Spook Park Haunted Trail, 6 to 9 p.m. Snooky Park, 120 W. Lady Lake Blvd., Lady Lake, $5, ladylakefl.gov: Greet the ghosts, ghouls, goblins and zombies that will be present on the haunted trail at Spooky Park.
Oct. 20: Belleview Trunk or Treat, 4 to 7 p.m., Lake Lillian, Robinson Road, Belleview, free, belleviewfl.org: Get lost in the zombie maze or make it out of the haunted house provided by the Arts District or get a free hayride during Belleview Halloween event. Dj Wolberine will play live music to accompany your candy collection quest.
Oct. 26: Lady Lake Not Too Scary Halloween Boo Bash, 6 to 9 p.m., Guava Street Athletic Complex, 221 W. Guava Street, Lady Lake, free, ladylakefl.gov: Celebrate Halloween during this festive bash. Bounce on the bounce houses or compete in one of the four costume contest categories. There will be food, music and more available.
Oct. 27: Ocala Geek Fest Spooky Edition, noon to 4 p.m. The Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala, free, ocalamarion.com: Browse through comics, cards and sports memorabilia on display during the Halloween edition of the Ocala Geek Fest. Over 50+ vendors will be present providing goods and food during the event. Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
