As autumn leaves turn acrobats in the wind, Cowans Gap State Park in Ft. Loudon, beckons families and thrill-seekers for a spine-tingling Fall Weekend extravaganza from Oct. 17-19, blending spooky fun with harvest heritage to ignite seasonal spirits. Highlights include a campsite decorating contest judged Saturday evening with winners crowned Sunday morning, a Saturday Fall Heritage Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring archery sessions, cider pressing, ice cream churning, games, crafts and historical displays, a twilight trick-or-treat crawl around the campground from 6-8 p.m. where costumed campers swap sweets by the educational fire ring, and a Sunday afternoon guided hike to the overlook led by the park educator along the Knobsville Road Trail—demanding sturdy shoes and water, but skipping the stroller set.
When the ghosts of Antietam refuse to rest in peace, one storyteller is ready to summon them for an afternoon of chills. Civil War researcher and storyteller Mark P. Brugh will spin haunting tales of spectral soldiers wandering Sharpsburg’s streets during “Civil War Ghost Stories” on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, 7313 Sharpsburg Pike in Boonsboro, Maryland. The event aims to blend eerie local legends with the museum’s exhibit on Boonsboro funeral customs, featuring the Doug Bast funeral carriage, a children’s coffin, a funeral sleigh and period mourning attire – arrive early to pay respects to the dearly departed displays.
As Chambersburg’s orchards plot their annual takeover, AppleFest will storm Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 18, rallying revelers for a free fall frolic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by Sheetz, this third-Saturday tradition bursts with art and craft stalls, toe-tapping music, food trucks dishing autumn delights, and welcoming local boutiques and eateries, all to knit tighter the town’s tapestry of community cheer and seasonal splendor.
The Fort Ritchie Community Center in Cascade transforms into a treasure trove for holiday hunters on Oct. 18 for their Fall Craft Bazaar. More than 60 vendors will fill the indoor space from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., peddling an eclectic array of handmade delights—from cozy home decor and flickering homemade candles to gourmet foods, children’s toys and perfect presents for the picky. The Fall Bazaar aims to spark early seasonal cheer while bolstering local artisans in a vibrant community showcase.
When pumpkins plot their great escape from the patch, the fifth annual Pumpkins & Pippins Fall Festival ambushes Pine Hill Recreation Area in Waynesboro, this Saturday. Buttonwood Nature Center mounts the noon-to-4 p.m. fundraiser at 12684 Mentzer Gap Road to fuel its wildlife conservation initiatives, ensnaring families with trebuchet pumpkin flings, pony rides from Serendipity Horse Meadows Farm, Sugar Hollow Farm’s endearing alpacas, a kid zone brimming with yard games and StoryWalk escapades, a pie walk, pumpkin patch prowls and a decorated pumpkin showdown dangling a $100 top prize. Craft vendors, antique tractors courtesy of The GRID Tractor Club, Mountain Air’s acoustic folk-pop serenades, food trucks, a bake sale and fresh cider and pumpkin sales seal the donation-entry deal.
