Autumn is one of the most popular seasons in Hendricks County, Indiana, and my personal favorite time of year.
What is there not to love about fall? We have the changing leaves, the cooler temperatures and, of course, some fantastic family-friendly festivals and events.
Here's a hayride full of some of our favorites, giving you every reason to visit Hendricks County this fall.
Danville Tri Kappa Fair on the Square
Danville Tri Kappa's Fair on the Square & Handmade Market is an annual community event drawing visitors and locals to the historic Hendricks County Courthouse Square in Danville, Indiana.
On Sept. 12 and 13, the fair will feature more than 100 booths offering shopping, live entertainment, locally grown foods and more. Booths line three of the streets surrounding the courthouse in Danville.
Quaker Days Festival
The Plainfield Friends Meeting Church hosts the 47th Annual Quaker Days Festival to celebrate the town's heritage. Craft and community vendors will set up on the church's front lawn, food trucks will be available for hungry festival-goers, there will be a movie shown on Sept. 17, and live music on Sept. 18.
A parade also marches through the heart of Plainfield on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m., and the evening concludes with the Plainfield Sky Dance, food and drink truck and a nighttime drone show at the Al & Jan Barker Sports Complex. The festivities conclude on Sept. 20 with the Back Your Badge Marathon 5K!
Beasley's Orchard Events
Located in Danville, Beasley's Orchard is the undisputed king of fall destinations in Hendricks County. Activities include an 8-acre corn maze, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, apple cannons, barnyard bonanza family play area, delicious food, entertainment and more. Additional activities include u-pick apples and u-pick pumpkins.
The farm is open every day Sept. 19 through Nov. 1. Weekdays offer a discounted admission price. Their fall festivals, including their popular Heartland Apple Festival, occur every weekend, each with a unique theme.
National Alpaca Farm Day Open House
Did you know we have alpacas in Hendricks County? Every year, the Montrose Farms Alpaca Ranch, located in Brownsburg, hosts the National Alpaca Farm Day Open House to educate the public about these beautiful animals.
This year's event takes place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 26. The event features tours of the farm, fun activities, up-close interactions with the friendly alpacas, a spinning demonstration, vendors and more. Admission is $5 a person.
Volktoberfest
How about a fall festival for car enthusiasts? Clear your calendars and bring your air heads, tuners and 'wagens to the 25th Annual Circle City Volkswagen Club Volktoberfest on Oct. 3-4 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds in Danville!
Volktoberfest is a vintage car extravaganza open to all Volkswagens, as well as their friends Audi and Porsche. Weekend camping is also available on-site. The event is free to attend.
Hendricks County International Festival
Come enjoy the free, family-friendly and educational Hendricks County International Festival on Oct. 3 at Hobbs Station in Plainfield. You can expect to see food trucks, live cultural dances and music performances, interactive booths, traditional attire and more from several countries around the world!
The festival was first held in 2019 to introduce diverse cultures to members of our community and to support, encourage and increase awareness of the many cultures that live, work and reside in the area.
Nehemiah Ranch Fall Harvest Days
Bring the entire family out to the 34-acre, secluded Nehemiah Ranch in Avon for Fall Harvest Days from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 3, 10 and 17.
Enjoy hayrides, a bonfire, food, hot chocolate, s'mores, live music and a pumpkin patch. Fall Harvest Days is free, but they encourage donations of $5 per person or $25 per carload, as they rely on donations to stay open.
Harvest Hayrides Festival
The Town of Avon's annual kickoff to fall, the Harvest Hayrides Festival, will be held on Oct. 10 at Blue Heron Park (formerly known as Avon Town Hall Park).
The festival will feature free wagon hayrides around the lake, bounce houses, a beer garden, Pumpkin Hill vendor area, Pumpkin Patch at Pumpkin Hill, pumpkin drop with splash zone, photo trail, food trucks, horseback trail rides and more.
Doctoberfest
Join in the annual Doctor Who-centric Fall Festival, Doctoberfest, on Oct. 17 at Who North America in Camby.
Enjoy discussions with authors and other guests during Doctoberfest, as well as a puppet show, a button swap and contests, including a creative art competition and a Doctor Who Look-A-Like Competition.
Fall Colors Festival
Just outside North Salem, McCloud Nature Park hosts the Fall Colors Festival on Oct. 24. Explore the McCloud Prairie Maze while you're there, and try hands-on activities such as axe-throwing, throwing an atlatl (an ancient hunting weapon), hayrides, yard games, crafts and more.
The park is one of the top places in the state for fall foliage, according to Visit Indiana, and this year's festival will take place during the peak of fall color.
Scarecrow Festival & Scares on the Square
Scarecrows will line the lawn on all four sides of the Hendricks County Courthouse in Danville during October, and then the annual Scares on the Square event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24.
Jurors will select the best three scarecrows and announce the results at Scares on the Square. In addition to announcing the winners of the Scarecrow Festival, Scares on the Square will feature costumes and lots of family fun leading into the Halloween season.
