NEWBERRY COUNTY — Fairs and festivals abound in Newberry during the fall season. Below are 10 ideas for things to do in “the ‘Berry patch” this fall:

1. Newberry Ag Expo & Rodeo: Start your fall at the county agricultural fair. The Newberry Ag Expo is returning to P.D. Johnson Farm on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10. They will once again host craft and food vendors as well as a Kids Zone featuring bouncy houses, a mechanical bull, and Ag education. The Ag Expo Rodeo will be held on Friday and Saturday nights during the fair. For details on this event, contact Denise Berry at 803-537-0252 or visit www.newberryagexpo.org.

2. Fall into Art: Beginning in September the Newberry Arts Center is hosting a wide variety of classes and events for everyone. Oil Painting, Watercolor, and Pottery courses are being offered for novice adults to more experienced artists, as well as After School Art programs for Kids and Teens. Those looking for a fun evening with art should consider attending one of the Arts Center’s painting or pottery parties scheduled for this fall. Popular subjects will be returning including woodcut pumpkins and leafs, and fall landscape scenes. For details on their classes and events visit www.newberryartscenter.com, call 803-321-1015, or follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.

3. Newberry Oktoberfest: Come celebrate Newberry’s German Heritage at this one day blowout celebration. The Newberry Oktoberfest features authentic German cuisine, German Biergarten, and plenty of art and craft vendors. The Rocktoberfest stage will feature live polka music, variety hits, and a Best German Costume contest. Once again there will be freeKids Activities in Kindertown: Family Fun Zone. The Newberry Car Buff’s Classic Cars will be on display by Downtown’s original Coca Cola Mural. And don’t forget, admission to the Newberry Oktoberfest is free. For details on this event, visit www.newberryoktoberfest.com or call 803-321-1015.

4. Phantoms, Haunts, and Mystery: The Newberry Community Players are boasting an array of spooky opportunities to enjoy mystery and horror during their fall season. The season begins in September with a play based on Agatha Christie’s mystery novel, And Then There Were None, in which 10 strangers arrive on an island and proceed to be murdered one by one until… Well, you’ll just have to see the play. Additionally, on the last Saturday of October their annual Newberry Ghost Tours will be returning. Two tours will be offered — Ghost Stories for Kids, and the Friendly City Ghost Tour. If mystery and spirits aren’t your cup of tea you can also check out their November shows, an Improv Night and Little Women, a play based on Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel. For details about these shows visit www.newberrycommunityplayers.com. Contact the Newberry Opera House for tickets at 803-276-6264.

5. Pick your pumpkins from a local patch: On Saturdays in October Lever Farms opens their doors for old-fashioned fall fun on the farm. Take your family out to the country for wagon rides, pumpkin picking, a mini corn maze for kids, corn kernel pit, pumpkin bowling and more. While there you can purchase farm goodies like pumpkin butter and pumpkin bread. For more information visit www.leverfarms.com or call 803-321-5952.

6. Enoree River Harvest Festival: The annual Enoree River Winery Harvest Festival is scheduled for Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Bring your lawn chair with you to this beautiful and rustic outdoor venue to enjoy locally made wines paired with delicious food, live music, and arts and crafts exhibits. Guests of all ages are invited to attend, and those over 21 will receive a wine tasting and souvenir glass with their ticket purchase. The festival will also host the release of their fall feature, cranberry wine. Visit www.enoreeriverwinery.com for more information or call 803-276-2855.

7. Wolves football: Welcome home the Newberry College Wolves during their homecoming festivities on Oct. 15. Prior to the 4 p.m. football game vs. Carson-Newman, enjoy annual activities such as the homecoming parade and tailgating. Visit www.newberry.edu for more information.

8. Get pumpkin crafty with the kids: Enjoy time outside decorating for Halloween with your little ones. This fall the Newberry Chamber of Commerce is hosting its second annual Pumpkin Decorating Party in front of Community Hall on Oct. 23 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Pumpkins will be provided to the first 100 participants who are ages 12 and under, and painting/decorating supplies will be provided. Call them at 803-276-4274 for details on this wholesome fall activity.

9. Pumpkin spice and everything nice: Pumpkin Spice isn’t just for Starbucks. You can find delicious fall treats all around Newberry. Our locally owned restaurants and shops are working on new fall inspired menus just perfect for the season. Stop by Half Full for that pumpkin spice latte you’ve been craving, and try their pumpkin dessert bites for a tasty snack. The Flying Pie is introducing a Dungeness crab bucket, steamed to order, and served with seasonal veggies and “a giant moist towelette” for clean up. They’ll also have seasonal gelatos and local craft beers to celebrate the cooler weather. Figaro Dining Room will be featuring fall produce and protein from local Newberry County farmers, including a sweet tea brined chicken from Bowers Farms in Pomaria. These aren’t the only places you can get a tasty fall treat, visit www.dinenewberry.com for a complete list of all of Newberry’s restaurants both in and outside of downtown.

10. Oysters for the Arts: In addition to the festivals and fall fun around Newberry, the Newberry Opera House, our local performing arts center, has new shows, acts, and more every week beginning this fall. The Broadway quality shows and acts that grace the stage in Newberry are made possible in part by the Newberry Opera House Guild’s efforts to promote and support the venue, often through fundraising. One such fundraiser is the annual Oyster Roast at the Waldrop Family Farm, featuring Bowens Island oysters, Carolina BBQ, peel n’ eat shrimp, beer, and wine. Be sure to save the date — Nov. 13 — for this food and fun filled evening. Contact the Newberry Opera House for tickets by calling 803-276-6264 or visit www.newberryoperahouse.com.

For information about these events and other events happening in the City of Newberry this fall, visit www.cityofnewberry.com and click on events.

By Mary Alex Kopp

For The Newberry Observer