Area roundup of fall festivals

Oct. 5—As the weather turns cooler by the day and the leaves start to change, festival season is upon us. Grab your warm sweaters and cozy socks, and pick a place for some fun as Calhoun County and surrounding areas celebrate the beginning of the fall season.

Whether you just need a fun place to take the kids, somewhere to browse artistic wares or buy homemade apple cider, there will be something for everyone from now until early November.

Calhoun County fall activities

— OxfordFest — This festival is Main Street Oxford's largest festival of the year, bringing in thousands to downtown Oxford. Oct 7. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

— Anniston Museums and Gardens "Fall Fest" — The Anniston Museums and Gardens transforms its campuses every year into a fun-for-all-ages fall festival with hayrides and a petting zoo. Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

— White Plains Schools fundraiser at Nance's Creek Farms — Sunny King Ford is helping to raise money for White Plains schools at their "Ford Drive 4 UR School" event Oct. 14 from 9 a.m until 6 p.m., complete with sunflowers, pumpkins, hayrides and more. This one-day event will be hosted at Nance's Creek Farm at 832 Old Rocky Ridge Road in Jacksonville.

— Lucid Dreams "Dreamfest" — A festival hosted by Lucid Dreams Tattoo and Piercing in Oxford. Event goers can expect plenty of entertainment, food trucks, games, and local vendors. Oct. 15 10 a.m.

— Main Street Anniston's Jazz and Art Festival — This event benefits the Cheaha Creative Arts and displays local talents in the jazz and arts realm. Visitors can expect to see ornate paintings, beautiful handmade cutting boards, and art of all media and styles. This event runs from Oct. 19-21 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The main event is free to the public, but there is a V.I.P. event on Thursday Oct. 19 for an exclusive low country boil.

— Neewollah — Halloween spelled backwards, this event is perfect for the family on the go. Vendors descend on Noble Street in Anniston, and kids are invited to "trick or treat" each vendor; guaranteed to rack up on some candy. The event also hosts a multi-age category costume contest and it's always fun to see what people come up with. Happening Oct. 21 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

— Lobsterfest — First held in 1997, this event raises money for the Habitat for Humanity Calhoun / Cleburne. It's more than a meal — it's a full blown festival with music, baked goods, activities for children,... oh, and freshly cooked lobster. Oct. 21 beginning at noon.

— Special Needs Fall Festival — Leatherwood Baptist Church on Old Gadsden Highway in Anniston is hosting a fall festival for the special needs community, Oct. 22, from 3-5 p.m.

— Parker Memorial Trunk or Treat — Right off of Quintard in Anniston, Parker Memorial Baptist Church is hosting a trunk or treat Oct. 22, at 3 p.m. Visitors can trick-or-treat and enjoy popcorn, face painting, a petting zoo and more.

— Witches Ride and Walk on Main — This event has garnered much attention in the past few years as a fun and light-hearted stroll through downtown Oxford. The event is a "parade" of sorts where participants are dressed as witches, warlocks and goblins and pass out candy to spectators. Happening Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. Those who wish to participate can purchase tickets for $25 per adult and $10 for children at https://historic-main-street-oxford.square.site/

— Very Square-y Halloween — The Jacksonville Merchants on the Square and the Jacksonville PARD are hosting a Halloween Party. Visitors can expect fun, games, spooky stories and more on Oct. 28 from 5-7 p.m.

— Llama Llama Red Pajama Halloween Dance Party — Redbird Willow Llama Farm in Saks is hosting its second annual Halloween party on Oct. 28 from 3-7 p.m. For just $5, visitors can enjoy trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, a "best pj contest," music, prizes and more.

— Sunny King Ford Trick-or-Treat Tailgate Party — Happening 28th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sunny King Ford in Anniston.

— Anniston First United Methodist trunk-or-treat — Held on the "farm side" of Camp Lee at Martha's Chapel, visitors can expect a trunk-or-treat, hayrides and games on Oct. 29, from 2-4 p.m.

— Carver Community Center Trunk or Treat — The Carver Community Center in Anniston is hosting a trunk-or-treat for the kids on Oct. 29 from 6-8 p.m.

— Trick or Treat on Main — Main Street Oxford is hosting its official Halloween event in downtown Oxford at Simmons Park on Oct. 31, at 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy food trucks, live music, a costume contest and more.

— Oxford PARD Halloween Carnival 2023 — The Parks and Recreation Department of Oxford is hosting a Halloween carnival at the Oxford Civic Center on Oct. 31, at 4:30 to 7 p.m. The event will feature a giant slide, games, a costume contest at 5:30 p.m. and more.

Fun elsewhere

— Barn of Blooms — This festival is set on Oct. 13 and 14 at 15876 County Road 10, in Ranburne.

— Trunk or Treat Village at Noccalula Falls — Happening Saturday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m.

— RainBOO City Fall Fest — Happening Oct. 28, at 7 p.m.

— Hoots and Howls Birmingham Zoo — Happening Oct 14th 10 a.m.

— Glencoe Fall Fest — Happening Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. in Hollingsworth Park.

— Talladega's Halloween on the Square — Happening Oct. 31, 5 p.m. in the Talladega Courthouse Square.

— Canyon Fest — Happening at Little River Canyon Center in Fort Payne on Nov. 4, at 10 a.m.

Staff Writer Ashley Morrison: 256-236-1551. On Twitter: @AshMorrison1105.