Jeff Fuentes Gleghorn
For many people October means pumpkins, and the Silver State makes sure to celebrate them. As you prepare the fake cobwebs and tombstones for your front yard, try taking a break to visit one of these fall festivals in Nevada.
Corley Ranch Harvest Festival, Gardnerville, NV
Corley Ranch in Gardnerville celebrates their harvest festival seven days a week for the whole month of October. The ranch is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for an entry fee of $10 on weekends and $5 on weekdays. During the weekend the entry fee lets you enjoy their corn maze, a 9-hole miniature golf course, a straw maze, pig races, hay wagon rides, and a hay slide. You can also pay to play with their giant slingshot, launching 3 apples for one dollar, go on a train ride for two dollars, or purchase a pumpkin. Corley Ranch says that on weekdays some of their attractions are limited and there are no pig races or wagon rides, nor can you use the giant slingshot.
Las Vegas Farm Fall Harvest Festival, Las Vegas, NV (Oct. 22, 23, 29, 30)
The Las Vegas Farm hosts their fall harvest festival during the last two weekends of October. For activities, they offer a cow train for toddlers, a corn maze, concession stands and more. The Las Vegas Farm will be selling “specialty pumpkins and squash, along with artisanal breads, cheesecakes & pies, jams/jellies, our amazing local honey, and our fresh eggs” for the weekend. All proceeds from the Fall Harvest Festival goes to feeding and caring for abused animals at Barn Buddies Rescue.
Pumpkin Palooza, Sparks, NV (Oct. 22)
This one-day event in Sparks has a variety of activities for the whole family. It is free to attend, although you will have to pay for some of the events. You can enjoy the Purple Pumpkin Pursuit – a scavenger hunt, the Pumpkin Design Studio where children can paint a pumpkin, trick or treating with the vendors, pumpkin carving classes, and food trucks. Pumpkin Palooza also hosts Nevada’s only Pumpkin Derby, where groups make derby cars out of whole pumpkins. If you want to involve your pets then dress them up for the Pet Parade! A professional photographer will take their picture and post it online for a community vote to find the best dressed pet. Participation in the Pet Parade is free.
Pumpkinman Triathlon Boulder City, NV (Oct 22)
Athletes that want a pumpkin themed event can join the Pumpkinman Triathlon in Boulder City on October 22. There are four ways to participate in the event, each with a different registration fee. There is a full triathlon with a 1500 meter swim, 24.8 mile bike ride, and 6.1 mile run, or a sprint triathlon where each leg of the race is half the distance. People who cannot or do not want to run can also register for the aquabike, which only involves the 1500 meter swim and 24.8 mile bike ride. You can also gather one or two friends and join the relays as a team of two or three people. The relay races can also be done as either a full or half triathlon.
Wherever you choose to go, enjoy the fall weather and beautiful scenery as the Nevada leaves change color. Then get ready for the next change as communities gear up for trick or treaters.
