Horse-drawn hayrides were part of the BFEC Harvest Festival last year and will be back this year on Oct. 18.
A fall festival celebrating the autumn season will take place at the Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College on Saturday, Oct. 18.
There will be a cider press, horse-drawn hayrides, pumpkin decorating and much more at the annual Harvest Festival, held from noon to 4 p.m. at 9781 Laymon Road in Gambier.
The family-friendly event will feature a variety of children’s activities, food trucks, vendors, and bands — as well as some furry friends from Road Runner Rascals Alpaca Ranch in Utica, Ohio.
"We look forward to this event every year,” said BFEC Director Noelle Jordan. “It's always so rewarding to see our Kenyon families and Knox County community families enjoying the season together. We hope while folks are here for the event, they might discover our trail system and return again to hike and explore!"
The BFEC, a 700-acre nature preserve established by the College along the Kokosing River valley, opened in 1995 and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Entertainment at this year’s festival will include the Kenyon Bluegrass Ensemble and the folk musician Sarah Goslee Reed. Two food trucks — Mama Lupes Kitchen and Tabouli Cafe — will be on site, and there will be rug-hooking demonstrations and plein air painters showing and selling art.
Others scheduled to appear include representatives from The Gund, Kenyon’s fully accredited academic museum that will bring an art activity, and the Philander Chase Conservancy, Kenyon’s land trust that has protected more than 6,000 acres since it was created 25 years ago.
Dudley Thomas Woodworking, Knox County Park District, and Knox County Humane Society will be there as well. Natives in Harmony will be selling a variety of plants and Broken Oak Farm will have honey and other items for sale.
BFEC Post-Baccalaureate Fellow Will Pritchard, a member of the Kenyon Class of 2025, said he’s excited for the annual event that hits all the right notes of the season and draws a great crowd from the surrounding community.
“Fall has always been my favorite time of year, and growing up, I eagerly anticipated attending events like the fall Harvest Festival,” he said. “I can't wait to see the community come out for it.”