Shorter days, cooler nights, leaves changing and Halloween. These are various ways in which the beginning of the fall season is characterized.
During these next few weeks, how can the students of California Baptist University participate in the autumnal events of the season? Here are some festive fall outings and happenings to take advantage of.
Every year in Riverside, local churches host a fall festival called “Trunk or Treat.” This is an event where people get dressed up and decorate their car trunk and the host of the trunk gives out candy and/or provides games.
A few of the churches nearby that have this event are: Sandals Church, The Grove Community Church and Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church. Sandals and Magnolia Avenue Baptist will host their events on Oct. 31, while The Grove Community Church will feature this event on Oct. 29. These churches provide an alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating that is family-friendly and appropriate for all ages.
Pumpkins, both large and small, are now available at local grocery stores and pumpkin patches. Gather friends, roommates or family together to spend a night carving out masterpieces. Clean out the seeds, soak them in salt and roast them in the oven while watching a scary movie. Carving kits are relatively inexpensive and many carving patterns can be found for free online. Just remember, candles are not allowed to be lit on CBU property.
To find a perfect pumpkin patch, look no further than The Pumpkin Factory located in Corona, Calif., off Magnolia Avenue near Interstate 15. Admission and parking is free and the price of attractions varies.
Visitors can choose from a rock wall, bungee jumping, a petting zoo and snack bars. Though all of these sound like great activities to pursue, the main reason to visit the park is to pick a pumpkin for Halloween. Prices of pumpkins vary as well.
The Pumpkin Factory is open through the end of October from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekends. For more information on pumpkin factory go towww.thepumpkinfactory.com.
For those who are ready for more of a real scare, visit “Knott’s Scary Farm.” Guests can experience a haunted version of the park during this fall season. It takes place in the Knott’s Berry Farm theme park in Buena Park and is held until the end of October. Tickets cost $47 to $56.
Disneyland is no stranger to setting up annual events. For the whole month of October, Disneyland changes to “Halloween Time.” The seasonal attraction includes Halloween- themed rides such as Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Roundup. In addition to the rides, there is also the Main Street Pumpkin Festival. Halloween Time tickets range from $49 to $59, buy in advance to save.
For those who do not want to travel too far, but still wanting to celebrate fall events, there is the “Castle Dark” event held at Castle Park located on Polk Street off of Magnolia Avenue. This event features two different mazes and a haunted train ride called “Terror on the Tracks.” The spooky park festivities are open from 12 p.m. to park closing and last throughout the whole month. General admission is $21.99.
A popular fall oasis, Oak Glen is approximately 45 minutes away from campus. Oak Glen features pumpkin patches, caramel apples, handmade crafts and many other venues and vendors. Plan a day out with friends so as not to miss this experience. For more information visitwww.oakglen.net.
After your visit to a fall fun spot, grab coffee.Virtually known as the fall favorite, Pumpkin Spice Lattes make their appearance this year in the well known coffee shop as well as in the hands of students on
campus.
Starbucks also created new drinks this season such as the Toffee Mocha and the Salted Caramel Mocha. Perfect to grab on the way to school or for a late night study session with friends, these drinks are only offered for a limited time.
New this year, CBU students have a week long Thanksgiving break. This means more time with friends, family and more delicious home-cooked meals. Soak up the break by watching football, savoring family moments, and helping fix the Thanksgiving dinner.
There are so many more things that the fall season has to offer so take time to enjoy them.
