Find a festival for all tastes

Oct 10, 2012 15:58 via The Augusta Chronicle, Ga.

Fall season is festival season. Whether you are looking for a hay ride, a thrill ride or just a frightful good time, the following festivals and fall events around the area have got a season's worth of fun in store. So pack your sunscreen and wear comfy shoes so you can hop from one fair to another.

FESTIVALS

IN OCTOBER

OKTOBERFEST

When: 1-10 p.m. Oct. 11, 4-10:30 p.m. Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Oct. 13

Where: Barton Field, Fort Gordon

What: The traditional German festival features German music and food, dancing, a flea market, vendors, a carnival and a car, truck and bike show. The U.S. Signal Corps Band will also perform.

Cost: Armbands for carnival rides are $10 for 48" and under and $20 for 48" and over

More: fortgordon.com, (706) 791-6779

GEORGIA-CAROLINA STATE FAIR

When: Oct. 12-21; gates open 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon Saturday and Sunday

Where: Georgia-Carolina State Fairgrounds, 308 Hale St.

What: In addition to the yummy fair food, more than 40 rides, and arts and livestock exhibits most attendees expect from the fair; James E. Strates Shows also brings a variety of entertainment. This year, look for boxing in the Best Buy tent, along with an interactive video equipment display. Local live talent including Celtic Rhythm Irish Dancers and Rhythm and Class Cloggers will perform. Check the Web site for the schedule.

Cost: Gate admission only, $6; unlimited ride tickets $19; individual ride tickets $1 (most rides take more than one ticket); see Web site for admission specials

More: georgiacarolinastatefair.org

GREEK FEST

When: Oct. 12-14, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

Where: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 953 Telfair St.

What: The 23rd annual celebration of Greek culture includes music, dance presentations and food and drink.

Cost: Free; food prices range from $1 for cookies to $14 for a roasted lamb platter with two sides (complete menu is available online)

More: holytrinityaugusta.org

HISPANIC FESTIVAL

When: 4 p.m. to midnight Oct. 12 and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 13

Where: Augusta Common

What: Several Hispanic countries, including many in South America, Central America and Europe, will be represented with folk groups, live music, authentic food and arts and crafts and a street dance. Miss Latina 2012 will be crowned Saturday.

Cost: $3; children 10 and younger free; active-duty military free with ID

More: elcervantino.org

ATOMIC CITY FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 13

Where: Downtown, New Ellenton

What: Commemorates the city of Ellenton, whose residents were displaced in the 1950s to make room for Savannah River Site; features crafts, vendors and rides

Cost: Free

More: Call Annie Mae Ford at (803) 652-2213 or Eartha Rogers at (803) 270-3550

BEECH ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY FALL FESTIVAL

When: Begins 8:30 a.m. Oct. 13

Where: Beech Island Historical Society, 144 Old Jackson Hwy., Beech Island

What: Festival and yard sale benefits the historical society. Live plants are available for purchase. The event also features music and craft demonstrations

More: (803) 827-2184

WESTERN CAROLINA STATE FAIR

When: Oct. 18-27, gates open 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon Saturday and Sunday

Where: Aiken Fairgrounds, 561 May Royal Drive

What: Fair favorites are back in Aiken, and with the Mega Pass you can ride all of your favorites to your heart's content -- ferris wheels, roller coasters, the Tilt-A-Whirl, the Himalayas, carousel and a mechanical bull. For those who go for the food, the $5 admission price gives you all the access you need. The fair also features the Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby on Oct. 25 and 27 at 7 p.m.; a pro rodeo, petting zoo, chainsaw art, trapeze act, a dog show. On Oct. 20, participate in one of several fall contests, including apple bobbing, pumpkin decorating and pie-eating. Entry fee is one canned good.

Cost: $5 admission, $25 for a Mega Pass, which includes admission and unlimited rides

More: westerncarolinastatefair.com

COLONIAL TIMES

When: 11 a m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 21

Where: Living History Park, 299 W. Spring Grove Ave. North Augusta

What: Demonstrations of life in America during colonial times. Faire Wynds presents a circus and other entertainment, and other demonstrations include lace tatting and tombstone carving. An actor portraying Benjamin Franklin will present a history of his life, and colonial dance and games will be performed.

Cost: Free

More: colonialtimes.us

FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL

When: 4 p.m. Oct. 20

Where: Mistletoe State Park, 3725 Mistletoe Road, Appling

What: Scavenger hunt, games, crafts, music, storytelling, hiking, apple bobbing; hayrides

Cost: $10 vehicle include parking; hayrides $2

More: (706) 541-0321, gastateparks.org/info/mistletoe

BOSHEARS SKYFEST

When: Oct. 20-21, gates open at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Daniel Field

What: 20th annual air show and festival returns with performances both days by Gary Ward Aerobatics, Trenton Flyers, Team RV, and Greg Connell; and a car show Saturday by the Gascar Antique Automobile Club. See The Flagship Detroit (N17334), which began service with American Airlines in March 1937, and is believed to be the oldest DC-3 in the world that is still flying.

Cost: $15 advance, $18 at the gate; Greg Hodges Pavilion VIP tent adult $50/day, children $20/day with paid admission

More: boshears.com

FALL FESTIVAL

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 27

Where: Westminster Schools of Augusta

What: Celebrate Westminster Schools' 40th anniversary with a fall festival during Homecoming weekend. The festival will feature inflatables, a bake hut, live entertainment and contests like hula-hooping, doughnut-eating and bubble-blowing.

Cost: $15; parents and children 4 and younger free

More: (706) 731-5260 or wsa.net/homecoming

FESTIVALS

IN NOVEMBER

COLUMBIA COUNTY FAIR

When: Nov. 1-10

Where: Columbia County fairgrounds, 5462 Columbia Road

More: columbiacountyfair.net

COLUMBIA COUNTY FALL FESTIVAL BAZAAR

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 3

Where: Baker Place Elementary School, 2011 Hero Way

What: 34 vendors will be set up for easy Christmas shopping. Shepeard Community Blood Center will conduct a blood drive with a goal to collect 200 units. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office will conduct ID-A-Child sessions, which provides parents with identification information for their children. There will also be activities for children.

Cost: Free

OKA CHAFFA INDIAN FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 11

Where: Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, 1858 Lock & Dam Road

What: Tells story of the vital role Native Americans had in the history of Augusta. See Native American dancing, drumming and view arts, crafts and clothing. Walk through a Native American village and watch demonstrations of skills including flint napping, hide tanning, archery and music.

Cost: $12 for adults and children ages 13 and younger, $6 for ages 6-12; discount coupons are available from Phinizy Swamp

More: (706) 828-2109, naturalsciencesacademy.org

CHITLIN STRUT

When: Begins 8 a.m. Nov. 24

Where: 161 Railroad Ave., Salley, S.C.

What: All-day festival celebrating the chitlin. Plates available at 8 a.m. for $10. A parade is at 10 a.m. The day includes helicopter rides, a carnival, entertainment, a hog-calling contest and a Chitlin Strut Dance at 3 p.m. More than 25 food vendors will sell items ranging from peanuts to popcorn and barbecue to, of course, chitlins.

Cost: Free

More: (803) 258-3485

HALLOWEEN

EVENTS

BOO AT THE ZOO

When: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 19-30

Where: Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia

What: Trick-or-treat trail, costume parade, dance party, carousel, climbing wall, more; ages 12 and younger wear costumes

Cost: $8; $6 Riverbanks members; some attractions have extra charge

More: riverbanks.org

JACK-O-LANTERN JUBILEE

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 27

Where: Downtown North Augusta

What: Street festival features a hay ride, arts and crafts, entertainment and a barbecue cookoff. A costume contest offers prizes in several age groups and a cornhole tournament has a $500 first prize.

Cost: Free

More: northaugusta.net

TRICK OR TREAT ON NEWBERRY STREET

When: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 27

Where: Newberry Street Festival Center, 126 Newberry St. SW, Aiken

What: Aiken festival includes carnival games, a costume contest for all ages and trunk-or-treating for ages 12 and younger.

Cost: Free

More: cityofaiken.gov, (803) 642-7631

7TH ANNUAL USC AIKEN SAFE TRICK OR TRICK

When: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31

Where: Pacer Commons, Pacer Crossings, Pacer Downs Community Center at USC Aiken, 471 University Parkway; parking in Lot D

What: Games and activities, hayride; sponsored by USC Aiken Resident Student Association, University Housings and campus organizations

Cost: Free

PLANTATION BLOOD

When: 7 p.m. Thursday -- Sunday through Nov. 3, and Oct. 30-31

Where: 4127 Wallie Dr.

What: A haunted house with a little extra -- pyrotechnics, fortune tellers, carnies, games and a souvenir store. Halloween is Lights Out Friday Night.

Cost: $20

More: plantationblood.com

NIGHTMARE PLANTATION

When: 7 p.m. to midnight Thursday-Sunday through Nov. 3 and Oct. 31

Where: 1110 Dodge Lane

What: A haunted house on a plantation that is reputed to be truly haunted. Proceeds benefit the CSRA Wounded Warrior Project and Channeled Paths youth counseling.

Cost: $20 Thursday-Saturday and Halloween, $15 Sunday

More: nightmareplantation.net

FALL

EVENTS

GRAYSTONE RANCH FALL FEST AND HAUNTED FOREST

When: 7:30 p.m.-midnight Fridays, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays, noon-midnight Sundays through Nov. 30

Where: Graystone Ranch, 1017 McManus Road

What: Fall Fest features a variety of fall-related activities, including a pumpkin patch, hay rides, hay maze, pony rides and photos with a scarecrow. The Haunted Forest opens at dark through Nov. 6. A treat bag for each child.

Cost: $10

More: graystoneranch.com

KACKLEBERRY FARM

When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 11

Where: 1025 Verdree Road, Louisville, Ga.

What: A variety of fall fun with an eight-acre corn maze as the biggest attraction, a hay ride, a pumpkin patch, peddle carts and zip lines.

Cost: $12, children 2 and younger free; ages 65 and older $8; military, law enforcement and medical personnel $9 with ID

More: kackleberryfarm.com, (706) 830-4968

STEED'S DAIRY

When: 5-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 18

Where: 4634 Wrightsboro Road

What: A five-acre corn maze, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, a corn kernel pit, cow-milking demonstrations, a petting zoo, pony cart rides and a jumping pillow. Not only can you get lost in the corn field, you can learn about farming, cows and conservation. Concessions available.

Cost: $12, children 2 and younger free

More: steedsdairy.com, (706) 855-2948

PUMPKIN

PATCHES

CORNER PUMPKIN PATCH

When: Noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 31

Where: Marvin United Methodist Church, 4400 Wheeler Road

More: marvinchurch.com, (706) 863-0510

ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S PUMPKIN PATCH & FUN FEST

When: 2:30-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 1-7 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 30; a Family FunFest will be 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 24

Where: St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 471 W. Martintown Road

More: saintbart.org, (803) 279-4622 ___