The time has come. No more tube tops, put those bathing suits in the attic, and stash away the thong…sandals. As summer sadly waves goodbye,autumn slowly settles in signaling the time to enjoy pumpkin spice candles, hot apple cider and hayrides with friends. For me, at least, fall means good times with pumpkins. There is so little time and so much to do with these orange gourds of fun. For this season, and this season only, these world-class vegetables can be found in a patch near you. Milky Way Farm is located only 20 minutes away from West Chester University, and is a great place to pick your own pumpkins. When you get home from the Milky Way, pour yourself a lovely cup of steaming hot cider (if you’re 21 add a shot of spiced rum because, in the words of Will Ferrell, it is “scrumptrulescent”) and get out the knives and stencils. Carving jack-o-lanterns is one of the many things you can do to enhance the ambianceof Halloween dcor. If you’re not into carving, why not fall into the season by raking up a pile of leaves in front of your house, apartment complex, or dorm, and hop on in. Maybe it’s childish, maybe it’s clich, but there’s no denying that it’s a blast. Just think about sinking into those reds, yellows, and oranges, and smelling the crisp foliage.
Another amazing place to go for the fall is Peddler’s Village in Lehaska, Pennsylvania. They are about an hour away and hold a scarecrow contest, apple festival and other “spooktacular” Halloween events. Peddler’s Village is a great place for wholesome fun and is only minutes away from the Bucks County Playhouse where they hold October screenings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” There’s a live show every weekend in October at midnight, and it is one of the most insane experiences of one’s life. You’ll enjoy music, mayhem and absolute malarkey at the picture show.
Perhaps you’re more of a homebody, and you’d rather spend a night at home with a well-written book. Pick up a warm cup of tea to go with some ginger snap cookies, and perch in your easy chair with a Stephen King novel. I suggest “It” or even “Cujo” to get into the bone-chilling Halloween spirit.
Whatever it is you choose to do this fall, whether it’s making crazy caricatures on a plethora of pumpkins, drinking cider, leaping into leaves or cuddling up with “Cujo,” be sure that you make the most of this fleeting fall.