Cooler temps, windows open overnight but needing to pull up the comforter, picking clothes to wear from the other side of the closet, kids back in school, overabundance of zucchini… What has you thinking of Fall being near? The autumnal equinox is September 22, so it’s almost official no matter how we might want to deny it. So what else makes it Fall for you? Leaves changing? Corn mazes? Pumpkin patches? Finally needing to wear a sweater or socks? Whatever it is, Fall is coming and with it comes Fall Fun in Delavan!
This Saturday, September 16, is Scarecrow Fest in Downtown Delavan! 
From 9 am – 8 pm there’s a plethora of things to do! (Do you like that word – plethora? Hahaha) The Craft & Flea Market is in Tower Park from 9 am – 5 pm. Free pumpkin painting is from 1 – 3 pm (or until they run out of pumpkins). The petting zoo by Ge Funny Farm is outside the library from 10 am -noon. Build your own scarecrow ($10 fee) is at 2nd Street and Walworth Ave. from 11 am – 1:30 pm. Kids activities hosted by DAYS Foundation is happening by the post office from 10 am – 4 pm. Live music is happening in several spots – North 3rd Street, with New Image at 10:30 am – 3 pm; Tower Park, with Cheryl Niemo & the Down Home Boys, 12:30 – 3:30 pm; and Phoenix Park Bandshell, with Mike Stone & the Rockers, 6 – 8 pm. Watch the 20th Historic Walldog Mural being painted on the Delavan Fitness Center wall. Take a free narrated Walldog Mural wagon tour (tickets are required from the Info Center) or do a self-guided walking tour (brochure/map available at the Info Center). There is of course food, sales at the downtown businesses, the 2nd annual Quilt Show, and the always popular Duck Raffle. One of my favorite parts is the pie & cake auction – both the silent and the live auction – as there are some fantastic bakers around the area! Scarecrow Fest is guaranteed fun!
For a little more adult fun, Walk & Wine in the Gardens, at Congdon Gardens that is
, is coming up Thursday, September 21. Enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers, 5 – 7 pm, while taking in the ever-changing scenery and learning about the exciting new projects taking place on site. With six different gardens, each featuring their own unique design and planted with Midwestern-hearty plants, you’ll find inspiration for your own gardens. Congdon Gardens is also a beautiful and tranquil place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Apple Fest at Apple Barn Orchard & Winery will be double the fun this year as it’s running for two weekends – September 23 & 24 and September 30 & October 1! A weekend of apple cider donuts, apple picking, hayrides through the orchard, 
a bounce house for the kids, live music entertainment, and so much more, and to be able to have that much fun two weekends in a row! Yowza! Parking and admission are free, but the memories are priceless! I’m making a list already of what to get – turtle caramel apple, bottle of wine, bag of apple cider donuts, bottle of wine, bag of baking apples, bottle of wine… Has anyone noticed a pattern in my list?!
Lake Lawn Resort welcomes the change in seasons with two events: Oktoberfest, September 30, and Fall Family Festival, October 6-9. Oktoberfest will include German, Seasonal and Craft beers, a variety of Bavarian Festival foods and live entertainment by Twin Lakes Trio Polka Band, all under a lighted tent at the lakefront, from 6 – 10 pm. Can you taste the Beer Cheese Soup, Grilled Bratwurst with Caraway Sauerkraut on a Pretzel Bun and Black Forest Cake, all washed down with a beverage?! Yum! Then to dance off all the calories by doing a few polkas… so viel Spaß! (Who can translate?)
Come back for Fall Family Festival, an extended weekend for family and friends to gather at the lake, that is packed with Fall-themed events, including scarecrow building, pumpkin decorating, donut making, hayrides, movie night, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Famous Racing Sausages, a delicious Fall Harvest Buffet, and many more family-friendly activities. Giant Jenga or pumpkin bowling anyone?!
This is only the start of what’s happening for Fall Fun in Delavan, so get ready for more to come and find your adventure in Delavan!
