October kicks off with fall festivals

The season of pumpkins, mums, and changing leaves is here! Several communities in Dane County are preparing for their annual fall festivals with plenty of games, crafts, and autumnal treats for the whole family to enjoy. Mad City Dream Homes will also have a presence at one of these events on Friday, the second annual Verona Fall Fest.

Verona Fall Fest

When: 4-10 p.m. Friday, October 5
Where: Hometown USA Festival Park, 111 Lincoln St., Verona
Info: www.visitveronawi.com

Our Hometown real estate agent, Mark Hewitt, will be sponsoring a face painting booth for kids with free designs, including some to go along with the outdoor screening of the movie "Coco" that night, as well as candy and interactive games. Meanwhile, adults can check out a photo slideshow of the Verona area and learn about resources for buying and selling. You can also enter a local gift card giveaway just by signing up for our monthly newsletter.

Last year's event was such a success, drawing nearly 2,000 people, that the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce decided to move the event to a larger venue just down the street and expand its offerings. Enjoy live music with Old Soul Society, a bonfire, artist's and farmer's market, and a variety of food trucks. Kids can play games and do crafts, such as an obstacle course and pumpkin painting, and meet animals from Haven's Petting Farm. There will also be train and hay rides, pumpkin chucking, and bobbing for apples.

Fall Harvest Festival and Petting Zoo

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 6
Where: The Bruce Company, 2830 Parmenter St., Middleton
Info: www.brucecompany.com

Animals such as lambs, goats, ducks, and sheep will be present at the petting zoo at the Bruce Company on Saturday. For $1 you can get a small cup to feed the animals, and all proceeds support the Pheasant Branch Conservancy, which was heavily impacted by the flooding this summer. Kids can also paint mini pumpkins or get their own faces painting, get their photos taken with a festive background, and go trick-or-treating. There will also be a pumpkin carving demonstration, new autumn decor and fall fashions in the store, and food and drinks available from the Middleton Wings Youth Hockey program.

Fall Heritage Fest

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 6 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 7
Where: The Trollway (Main St.), Mount Horeb
Info: www.mounthorebchamber.com

Still looking for more? Head to Mount Horeb on Saturday and Sunday for its Fall Heritage Fest. Nearly 40 arts and crafts vendors -- along with life-sized mythical creatures -- will line "The Trollway" downtown. The event features a farmer's market, buggy rides, Norwegian fall breakfast, pumpkins on parade, upcycle craft and heritage demonstrations.