Have fun in the Niagara County area this fall

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the leaves falling, pumpkins, the cool, but not too cold, temperatures and my two favorite holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Fall time in Western New York is even more exciting, with the many different ways to celebrate this time of year and the area we live in.

This past weekend I went to Browns Berry Patch in Waterport for my annual tradition of picking raspberries, apples and pumpkins. It is a great activity to do, and one of my favorite things to do each year.

At Browns Berry Patch, each weekend they hold their Fall Harvest Celebration. They have hayrides, a corn maze and activities for children, along with any type of craft, apple or fall product you could want.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekend through Oct. 28.

Also fun to do each fall is the Haunted Hayrides at Becker Farms. Last year I attended for the first time with two of my friends. We had a blast riding on the haunted hayride, as various scary characters interacted with the people on our wagon and attempted to frighten us. There was also the Castle Labyrinth and the Phylotec. This event takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday on weekends through Oct. 28.

The farm also holds a Pumpkin Fiesta during the day on the weekends through Oct. 28, featuring many fall activities for children and adults to enjoy.

I am looking forward to attending for the first time this year the Haunted Cave tour at the Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride. I have done the normal tour many times, and while in the cave, the tour guides always mention this Halloween event. Even on the normal tour there are moments it can be a little “spooky” when the lights are out, it is hard to move because people are in front and behind you, to the left is a pool of water and to the right is a cave wall. So, it is easy to imagine it as a haunter attraction and what it is like in there when people are trying to scare you.

The Haunted Cave tour will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 18 to Oct. 20 and Oct. 24 through Oct. 30.

The Van Horn Mansion in Newfane will also again hold its Candlelight Tours. This was an interesting attraction to attend last Halloween, learning the history of the mansion and some of the paranormal reports that surround it. Tours will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. on weekends in October from Oct. 7 to Oct. 29. Admission is $5.

There are also a lot of other upcoming events and fall festivals in the area.

The Town of Lockport will hold their Fall Festival on Oct. 21, rain or shine at the Lockport Town Hall. The event will feature cider and donuts, hayrides, music, pumpkin painting and games and prizes.

The annual Niagara Apple Fest will take place Oct. 13 and Oct. 14 at the Niagara County Fairground. This fall event will feature an indoor and outdoor country craft fair, along with fresh offerings from local farms, live entertainment, highland games, pumpkin painting and more.

So keep a look out in the next months for all of the upcoming events in the area. It is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy what this area has to offer.

Rikki Cason is the reporter for the Lockport Retailer. Contact her at rcason@metrowny.com.