Columbus Mom’s Guide to October 2017

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After this heat wave, I think most of us are ready for fall temps and activities! The leaves are just starting to change. The colors are just beautiful and mums and pumpkins are everywhere you look. The smell of pumpkin spice is in the air and you can hear the leaves crunch as you take an evening stroll with your family. 

There are plenty of outdoor activities this month for you to enjoy! Along with Trick-or-Treat this month, there are a number of  Trunk-or-Treat options along the way! This is a great option for little ones too. 

There are still Fall Festivals to attend and of course plenty of Pumpkin Patches too. You may be able to squeeze in some last minute apple picking as well. Be sure to check out our new post on Haunted Houses and Spooky Tours too. It sounds like a spooktacular time! 

Events: October 1- 7

October 1-31st: Socktober Sock Drivenormal business hours at Goldfish Swim School-Dublin and Goldfish Swim School-Westerville | Buy or collect new or gently used socks and drop them off in the designated box at either Goldfish Swim School location here in Columbus. The socks will be given to Open Shelter.

October 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, and 28-29: Freeman’s Farm Fall Festival: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sundays in Galena | Enjoy hayrides through scenic woods, campfire concessions, farm animals, apple butter making and more! Enjoy 6 weekends of Fall fun! 

October 1: Columbus Baby Expo: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Westin Columbus | This is a day of exploring the latest in luxury baby products, seminars, play area for children, fun competitions all while enjoying refreshments and hor’ dourves. Tickets are $10.

October 1: Pumpkins and Pups: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Hoover Garden and Gift Center | Come out and meet a new puppy to adopt and bring home along with your pumpkin! 

October 1: Old Time Harvest Day: 1:00 pm. – 5:00 p.m. in Grove City | Celebrate Autumn traditions with crafts such as leather tooling and rope weaving and daily chores like churning butter and pumping well water. A neat experience for your kids! 

October 1: See the High Banks: 2:00 p.m. at Highbanks Metro Park | A great way to see The “High Banks” as the leaves change colors! 

October 1: Pumpkins on Park: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Come out to Park Street Cantina to paint your pumpkin at the largest pumpkin painting party in Columbus!

October 1: The Outsiders: 7:30 p.m. at Hilliard Bradley High School | See this classic! Friday and Saturday shows will be at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. 

October 2: Taste of Italy: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Italian Festival Grounds | Enjoy a night of authentic Italian Cuisine from many local Columbus Italian eateries. Tickets are $35 in advance. 

October 3- 4: Ed Sheeran: 7:30 p.m. at Nationwide Arena| An additional concert added! Get your tickets today and enjoy a night out!

October 5: Trick, It’s a Treat!: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in New Albany | Candy free community Halloween celebration that highlights fun. tasty, and healthful Halloween treats and activities! 

October 6: First Friday Film Series: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Ohio History Center| Come out and view Hocus Pocus! 

October 6, 7,9,13,14: The Fall Festival at the Farm at Walnut Creek: 8:30 a.m. at Sugarcreek | Looking for a road trip? A little under two hours, you may want to visit this great Fall Festival for broom making, the pumpkin slingshot and so much more! 

October 6-8: Columbus Italian Festival: 5:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. on Friday, 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday | Just $5 dollars to enter the festival and taste the great food and see live entertainment! 

October 6: Sip and Spa Wine Tasting: 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at The Hills Market Downtown | $15 dollars for a tasting of 10 wines and this month the emphasis is on local health and beauty products just in time for the holidays! 

October 6: Friday Family Nights:  6:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m. at The Worthington Community Center |  Family Nights most Friday evenings.  Kids of all ages will enjoy the free fun, which includes arts and crafts, little tykes gym activities, and big kids’ gym activities.

October 6: Alum Creek VIP Haunted Trail: 7:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m. at Alum Creek Campgrounds | Campers and the public are welcome to come out and explore the Haunted Trail! 

October 7: Home Depot Kids Workshop: 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. | Join their hands-on workshop and you and your child can build a cute coin bank with a fire station design. Once the bank is built, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. All kids get to keep their project, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. 

October 7: Made LOCAL Marketplace Columbus Fall Show: 9:00 a.m. at Bridgewater Banquet Center | Shop locally from 120 Ohio makers!

October 7: Grove City Oktoberfest: 12:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. in Grove City Town Center | Sample a variety of Ohio craft beers while you enjoy live entertainment, games, and the beauty of autumn. German-themed foods, including ever-popular bratwursts and cream puffs.

October 7-8: Oakland’s Fall Festival: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Oakland Nursery | Visit any of the four garden centers and celebrate the arrival of Fall. 

Events: October 8-14

October 8: Costume Swap: 10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. at Worthington Community Center | The Center is accepting clean or gently used Halloween costumes and donors will receive one ticket for each costume donated to swap a new costume.

October 8: Fire Department Open House: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Worthington Fire Department | Come explore the Worthington Fire Department and Police Department and experience life as a police officer or firefighter.

October 8: Miller’s Country Gardens Fall Festival: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Hayrides, Pumpkin Patch, play area for kids, corn maze and live music! 

October 8: Darby Creek Day: 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. at Battelle Darby Creek Park | Enjoy seining, noodling for mussels, canoeing, fly fishing, live animals and more along Big Darby Creek.

October 8: Fire Station Open House at Washington Township: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Dublin, Ohio | Climb in the trucks, take a fire station tour, see demonstrations, enjoy snacks and meet Sparky, the Fire Safety Dog! Choose from 4 locations. 

October 8: Upper Arlington Fall Fest: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  at Fancyburg Park | Huffman’s market chili cook-off, face painting, inflatable games, scarecrow making, and live music and entertainment. 

October 10: Story Time on the Farm: 10:00 a.m. at Stratford Ecological Center | Join families on the farm for a fun and educational story hour and unique hands-on experience around the farm! 

October 12-14: Vintage Market Days of West Columbus Fall Event: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. each day at The Franklin County Fairgrounds | an upscale vintage indoor/outdoor market, featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings, and a little more. 

October 13: Barnyard Bash Halloween Party: 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. at Worthington Community Center | Annual Halloween Party featuring treat trail, barnyard petting zoo, hayrides, games, and music by Endless Recess. 

October 13-15: Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook: 7:00 p.m. on Friday, 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at Hilliard Davidson High School | Come see a great performance! 

October 14: Fall Kiddie Konsignment Sale: 8:00 am. – 3:00 p.m.  at Grace Polaris Church | Come shop our HUGE children’s consignment sale! Sale open 8-12 and half off SUPER sale 1-3. Maternity, infant and children’s clothing, accessories, toys, furniture and more!

October 14: Historic Dublin Chili Cook-Off: 1:00 p.m. in Historic Dublin | For only $15 you can visit 7 of our gourmet restaurants, enjoy 7 unique chili’s and vote for the best while supporting the Dublin Food Pantry!

October 14: Dress Rehearsal at Disney Store: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Disney Store Polaris | Come dressed as your favorite character and enjoy games, crafts, and a costume parade along with giveaways! Also takes place on October 21 and 28. 

October 14: Moonlight Market on Gay Street: 6:00 p.m. on Gay Street, Downtown Columbus | The Moonlight Market is a monthly outdoor street festival/marketplace on Gay Street in Downtown Columbus. It takes place every Second Saturday from April through October.

October 14: Monster Bash: 7:00-11:30 p.m. (and then an after party) in German Village | Adult “trick-or-treating” to sample various treats from 7:00-9:30 p.m. and then dancing.  

Events: October 15-21

October 15: Rapunzel and Little Mermaid Princess Camp: 1:00 p.m. at Royal Palace Studio | ENJOY A MAGICAL DAY with Rapunzel and Little Mermaid! Princess/Mermaid Training,  Grande Coronation Dress-up, Dance, Sing, Interactive Story-Time Crafts, mini-performances and so much more! 

October 15: Animals of the Ice Age: 2:00 p.m. at Deer Haven Park | Learn more about the animals that lived in Ohio during the Ice age! 

October 15: Food Truck and Fire Prevention Festival: 4:00 p.m. -7:30 pm. | Join the Prairie Township Fire Department for the first ever Food Truck and Fire Prevention Festival. Schmitz and Taquitos Taco Trucks will be there too along with family activities for fire safety. 

October 17: Small Farmers: 9:30 a.m. at Stratford Ecological Center | Bring your little ones to become a farmer for a day

October 18-21: Circleville Pumpkin Show: Opens most days at 10:00 a.m. in Circleville | Famous local celebration with lots of live music, parades, and everything pumpkin! 

October 19-21: Zassy’s Fall Vendor Market: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. (Times may vary) at Delaware County Fair | Come out and shop and explore Zassy’s treasures! Thursday night is preview night! 

October 20: Howl-O-Ween: 4:00 p.m. at Ohio Wildlife Center in Powell | Spooky is their specialty at this family-friendly Halloween event. Come enjoy walks through their white tail trail, visits from spooky animal ambassadors like owls Bella, Alex, and Woodsy, snakes checkers, bats, echo, and Percy and Lenore, their American Crows.

October 20-22 and October 27-29: Boo at the Zoo: Fridays 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sundays 10:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. | Batman and Wonder Woman, Howl-o-Ween Show, and Turtle Time with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hanna’s Hay Ride and much more! 

October 20: Family Night at Worthington Community Center: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Free night of crafts, games, and connecting as a family!

October 21; Mommy’s/ Daddy’s Daughters and Donuts with Princesses: 9:00 a.m. in Newark | Spend your Saturday with your little princess and a variety of Disney princesses! (Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Else, Anna, Rapunzel, and Moana!)

October 21: Old Hilliard Halloween Haunt: 10:00 a.m. in Old Hilliard | Join local businesses in trick or treat, scavenger hunt, family fun activities, and costume contests for all ages.

October 21: Old Hilliard Halloween Haunt: 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. in Old Hilliard | Trick or Treating at Local Businesses with Halloween games and activities. 

October 21: Costume and Candy Crawl: 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at The Kingsdale Shopping Center, Upper Arlington | Dress in your Halloween best and Trick or Treat at the shopping center. Face painting and balloon artists too! 

October 21: Creepside at Gahanna: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Come trick or treat along Mill Street, along with live music, super heroes, pumpkin painting, and food vendors!

October 21: B R E A D Festival: 12:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. in Downtown Dublin |  The second annual B.R.E.A.D. will include community booths, traditional music and dance, hands-on artmaking, international cuisine, bread vendors, food trucks, a global marketplace and more. The festival, presented by Dublin Arts Council, embraces: Bake, Reconnect, Educate, make Art & celebrate Diversity!

October 21- 22 and October 28-29: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Pizza Party: 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.  at the Columbus Zoo | Back by popular demand! Enjoy pizza from Donatos and see animals close up, get your face painted, and hang out with TMNT! $20 for zoo members.

October 21: Fall Colors Tram Tour: 1:00 p.m. at Blendon Woods Metro Park | Discover the beautiful hues of nature on a ride to areas not normally seen by the public! 

October 21-22: Pumpkins and Corn: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Slate Run Metro Park and Historical Farm | Discover how the many varieties of pumpkins, gourds, squash, and corn were used in the 1880’s farm.

October 21: Boo N’ Brew: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Polaris Fashion Place | Fall festival with a beer garden benefiting the Ronald McDonald House and lots of family-friendly activities like trick or treating, silly safari animal shows, food trucks, face painting, balloon artists, and costume contest! 

October 21: Ghost Trolley Day: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Worthington 
| Halloween event designed for younger children to tour the decorated train cars along the way, then board the streetcar.

October 21: Halloween Family Fun Night : 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Three Creeks Metro Park | Not too scary stories and s’mores at the campfire and go trunk or treating for candy. Kids of all ages are encouraged to wear costumes.

October 21: Powell Community Bonfire: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Hall Street | Guests will enjoy free hot dogs, apple cider, doughnut holes and marshmallows to roast over one of the fires. 

October 21: Wo’Town Howdown: 7:00 p.m. at The Shops at Worthington Place | Delicious samples, music, and western garb! Get your tickets today! 

Events: October 22-28

October 22: Ohio State Four-Miler : 10:00 a.m. at Ohio Stadium | The Ohio State Four-Miler is the largest four-mile race in the United States with a normally sold-out field of 15,000 runners and walkers. Register today! 

October 22: Music and Nature: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Grange Insurance Audubon Center | Celebrate Autumn with the Columbus Symphony! 

October 22: Fall Fun Day Tram Rides: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Blendon Woods Metro Park |Enjoy a tram ride, see the beautiful changing colors of nature, play in a giant leaf pile, roast a marshmallow and make a craft. 

October 25: Taste of Home LIVE: 7:00 pm at the Hyatt Regency | Taste of Home LIVE is hitting the road again this fall with our Happiest Holiday Tour.  Join us for this exciting live show where you’ll watch us cook up a festive brunch, reinvent classic Thanksgiving recipes, and demonstrate new baking and decorating techniques just in time for the holidays! 

October 27: Howl-O-Ween: 4:00 p.m. at Ohio Wildlife Center in Powell | Spooky is their specialty at this family-friendly Halloween event. Come enjoy walks through their white tail trail, visits from spooky animal ambassadors like owls Bella, Alex, and Woodsy, snakes checkers, bats, echo, and Percy and Lenore, their American Crows.

October 27: Family Fun Night: 7:00 p.m. at Homestead Metro Park in Hilliard | Enjoy crafts, activities and stargazing. Meet at the Lakeside Pavilion. Age 3-12.

October 27: Haunted Wine Cellar: Times begin at 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Wyandotte Winery | Haunted Wine Cellar Tour with food and wine pairings! Get your tickets today. $35 dollars for this 2 1/2 hour Halloween event! 

October 28: All Ohio Reptile Show: 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. at The Franklin County Fairgrounds | Come out and see your favorite reptile friends!

October 28: Family Fun and Awesome Autumn: 10:00 a.m. at Sharon Woods Metro Park | Explore the wonders of the season with games, crafts and other activities. Ages 3-8. Meet at Spring Hollow Lodge. 

October 28: Scarysville: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Uptown Marysville | Join the streets of Uptown Marsyville as they come alive with Halloween fun. Children are invited to dress up and visit merchants for candy and other Halloween goodies. 

October 28: Trick or Treat Trail: 6:00 p.m. in Powell | Don’t leave the trick or treating just to adults! Come out and grab your trail ticket in Upper Arlington and then visit the 6 businesses in Powell for your sweet treats! 

Events: October 29-31

October 29: Lewis Center Fall Fest: 1:00 p.m. at Little Bear Golf Club | 3rd annual gathering with bounce houses, games, and activities for all!

October 29: Halloween Party: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Inniswood Metro Garden | Join in the fun at the gardens for activities and crafts! 

October 29: Candy by the Carload: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in Powell | The parking lot will be transformed into a trick or treaters’ treasure chest as local businesses and organizations set up booths and car trunks filled with candy, toys, and other Halloween goodies. 

October 29: Totally Toddler Fall Fun: 4:00 p.m. at Blacklick Woods Metro Park | Watch your toddler play in the leaves and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun. Age 16 months to 3 years old. Meet at Meadows Picnic Area. 

October 29: Peppa Pig’s Surprise at The Ohio Theater: 5:00 p.m. | An interactive show which entertains while encouraging social skills and creativity, and teaches the value of positive family relationships. Oh, and how to jump into muddy puddles obviously!

October 29: Hilliard Trunk or Treat 2017: 5:00 p.m. at Hilliard Ray Patch Family YMCA | 6th annual event where kids can visit the cars and trick or treat! Food trucks have been added this year for this wonderful community event! 

October 29: Boo on Broadway: 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Grove City | Grove City’s Town Center is transformed into a destination for spooky fun!  This annual, family-friendly alternative to the traditional door-to-door Beggars’ Night allows children to dress in costume and safely collect candy and other goodies from area businesses and civic organizations.  

October 29: Halloween Family Fun Day at North Market: Come trick or treat at The North Market! Check their website as information and times are updated. 

October 30: Haunted Village: 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. in Pickerington | Halloween fun for all ages!  Ghost tours, story-telling, hayrides, trick or treating through the Olde Pickerington Village businesses, haunted garden, haunted museum, haunted house, entertainment, food, and more!

October 30: Costco Wholesale Trick or Treat: 6:00 p.m.- 8:oo p.m. at Costco Locations | Treats Stations, Activities for kids Refreshments will be served Membership Deals too scary to reveal for new members No membership required to attend.

October 31: Tots Trick or Treat: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Pickerington | Children 2-5 years old accompanied by an adult may wear their favorite costumes as they stroll through the decorated halls and offices of City Hall while receiving a few goodies from the disguised employees.  Take pictures with the 12′ Frankenstein or the friendly witches and ghosts along the way.

We hope you enjoy all the October events!  Happy Halloween! Don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Guide to Fall and Halloween for your go-to resource for everything fall related! 

 

 

 

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Maureen Ingham
Maureen Ingham has enjoyed living in the great city of Columbus for nearly 13 years! Originally from Canton, Ohio, Maureen attended Ohio University and will always be a bobcat at heart! After completing her education degree in Athens, she made her way to The Ohio State University to obtain a Masters degree in Special Education. She fell in love with Columbus then and convinced her now husband to join her in this awesome city! She taught 5th grade for 6 years, before deciding to stay home to raise two beautiful girls. Their family has recently moved to Worthington with their two girls and are excited to plant their roots here! Their first daughter, Maeve is 6 and her sister, Reese will soon be 5 years old. They welcomed a son, Miles in March 2020. Maureen has been with The Columbus Moms Blog since the beginning and now enjoys working on editing and events for the blog. She also works as a Postpartum Doula with her sister at a company called Together Wee Grow. They provide night nursing services, as well as daytime support to local families and babies in Columbus. It is a wonderful job to work along her sister and help families with their precious little ones in a vulnerable time period. In between the night shifts, sweeping up crumbs, exploring Columbus, and getting kids to where they need to be, Maureen enjoys working out, trying new recipes and restaurants, traveling, spending time with family, being crafty and trying to help others whenever she can! Maureen has many Columbus favorites. Her go-to restaurant is Third and Hollywood, she enjoys a sweet treat at Sassafrass Bakery or Fox in the Snow, a slice of pizza at Dewey's Pizza and a warm cup of joe at Highline Coffee. A perfect Saturday involves an outdoor activity with her family and trying a new restaurant when they can! She is excited to be a part of an excellent team here at Columbus Moms blog and hopes to be able to inspire mothers that small acts of kindness go a long way in raising their kids and the city they live in!