Fall is here!!! The best season of the year is finally upon us. I can officially walk from my parking spot downtown to my class without losing my breath. There’s something about that fresh, crisp air in the mornings that just helps me forget I have an exam coming up that I should be studying for. There are plenty of fall activities you should partake in, such as looking at all the leaves changing at the botanical gardens, taking a hike up Table Rock, having a bonfire, cuddling up watching movies, or just being outside! I’ve compiled a list of 6 events you can attend over this month. That’s enough to give you something to do every week!
Fall for Greenville
There’s only 3 days left until this wonderful event! Music, food, and drinks!
“Discover a world of tempting tastes, sights and sounds, as mouthwatering aromas carry you along Greenville’s Main Street. With over 40 restaurants featuring over 250 menu items and free entertainment on six stages, we invite you to enjoy the Southeast’s most popular outdoor festival.” The only thing that will cost you money is buying taste tickets, $5 for a sheet of 8 so you can really see what all those restaurants have to offer!
Here’s the schedule (rain or shine): Kick-Off Concert Thursday, October 13: 6:30 p.m – 10 p.m.
Friday, October 14: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, October 15: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, October 16: Noon to 7 p.m.
Harvest of Horror, Madworld Haunted Attraction, Scarowinds
You can’t have October without haunted attractions! Now it is unlikely I’ll actually gather the nerve to attend any of these, but for those of you who aren’t whimpering babies, here’s haunted attractions around the state of SC!
Harvest of Horror
The one thing that makes this terrifying to me is the fact that merely minutes before it hosts a sweet corn maze along with hayrides and s’mores and as soon as that’s over, it’s game on horror. Located in Anderson, SC, the featured haunt of 2016 is the Dark Harvest Penitentiary where zombies have taken over the institution to release pure fear on the unfortunate guests. Not only this, there’s another 5 featured haunted attractions. F-I-V-E! The facility alone for the penitentiary is 4,000 sq ft alone. Note: Not recommended for children 12 and under. Other attractions include: Bates Motel, Haunted Farm House, Haunted Trail.
Hours of Operation: (they stay open as long as there is a crowd!)
Thursday: 7pm – 11pm
Friday: 7pm – 12 midnight
Saturday 7pm – 12 midnight
Sunday: 7pm – 11pm
1515 Denver Road Anderson, SC 29625
Price:
$28 includes admission to all 5 attractions!
Madworld Haunted Attraction
There have been 2 new events opened up for the 2016 halloween season at Madworld! “‘Darkness’” preys on different phobias and nightmares that will make you cringe. Experience Hotel Hell, Pinehurst Asylum, and so much more in this 1/2 mile indoor/outdoor haunted house, all new main attraction, only at MADWORLD! Don’t forget to try the escape rooms! There are two this year: Escape Alcatraz and Escape the Tomb!
Hours of Operation:
Usually around 7-midnight on weekends 7-11 week days
These hours vary a lot and some weeks have more days open than others. Check out their schedule online to find a time best for you!
147 Country Manor Rd. Piedmont, SC 29673
Prices:
$25 for the main attraction.
$40 for the main attraction and getting front-of-line access
$25 for one of the escape rooms
SCarowinds
I’ve been to SCarowinds twice in my life now, and both times I ended up spending more time running away than actually hanging out with my group of friends. I was also only 16, so I can imagine how much it’s progressed since the last time I went! Although it’s a little bit longer of a drive, it’s definitely worth it! With 6 mazes, 20 of the rides still open, and 6 scare zones, you’ll definitely be on edge the entire time you’re there.
Hours of Operation:
Select Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays in September and October 7:00pm – Midnight
October 15th, 22nd, and 29th – open til 1 A.M.
Prices:
Buy online and get a pass for $34.99.
They offer season SCarowinds passes, as well as “no boo” necklaces and fright line passes.
Season Pass: $59.99
Season Pass + Fright Line: $69.99
No-Boo Necklace (so the monsters can’t scare you!): $10
Pendleton Fall Festival
We can move onto cuter, less scary events now. If you’re looking for something quaint and adorable, visit the Pendleton Fall Festival. Downtown Pendleton is a cute hidden gem that most students I know have never been to, me included. Visit the Pendleton Fall Harvest Festival and enjoy music, crafts, entertainment, food, and fun! Ever see those cute scarecrows along the side of the road near Pendleton? You’ll get to see the contest for this! Check out the event on Facebook!
Hours of Operation:
Saturday October 22, 10AM – 5PM
Denver Downs Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
The Denver Downs Corn Maze is the same location as the Harvest of Horror! Luckily, they don’t have the corn maze in the same area as the haunted attractions. Navigate through the maze and find the 12 hidden checkpoints. Along the way, enjoy some trivia and even keep time of how quickly you navigate the maze with your smartphone! After you’ve successfully completed the maze, enjoy some s’mores at the bonfire as well as other fun activities such as hayrides, a petting zoo, duck races, a pumpkin patch, and more! I can officially say as a 22 year old, I enjoyed going to this. No shame for doing the rope swings with 5 years olds all around me.
Hours of Operation:
September 24 through October 31 Hours: Thursday: 5pm – 10pm Friday 5pm – 10pm Saturday 10am – 10pm Sunday: 1pm – 7pm
Prices:
$15 for access to the corn maze
$33 for both access to the corn maze and the haunted attractions.
Have a safe and wonderful fall!