Autumn Roundup: Fall, the ‘mellower season’ officially begins

A list of upcoming outdoor events in and around Sonoma County and Petaluma|

Okay, by almost every technical statistic, it is now officially fall. Or “Autumn,” of you prefer more formal terminology.

Yes, we could sit here at our desk writing a bunch of flowery prose about the changing of the seasons and the place that fall/autumn holds in the hearts and minds of living breathing humans. We probably should. But the weather looks really nice through the office window, and we’d really rather finish early and go outside to play.

So, here then are some juicy quotes that other people have said about the wonderful, weird, happy, sad, beautiful time of year between summer and winter.

“Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower,” Albert Camus, novelist. “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall,” F. Scott Fitzgerald, writer. “It was a beautiful, bright autumn day, with air like cider and a sky so blue you could drown in it,” Diana Gabaldon, author. “Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons,” Jim Bishop, journalist. “Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer and oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them all,” Stanley Horowitz, poet.

And with those glittering words bouncing about in your brain, consider this list of upcoming events, festivals, fairs and activities that both celebrate the fall and take full advantage of it in every way.

MOVIES IN THE PARK (Next film screens Friday, Sept. 20) – In one of Petaluma’s most popular summertime events, movies are screened under the stars in Lucchesi Park. The next film is Pisney-Pixar’s “The Incredibles 2” (Sept. 20), followed by “Hocus Pocus” (Oct. 25). Admission is free, activities begin around 6 p.m.

FANDANGO AT THE ADOBE! (Saturday, Sept. 21, Noon-4 p.m.) - Travel back in time to the days of harvest ranchero celebrations, as the performers of Baile de California and the Yesteryear Dancers demonstrate and teach dances of the 1840s. Attendees can learn historic folk dance techniques, and join in the fun. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for kids 6-17, and free for kids under 5 years of age. 3325 Adobe Rd. Call 762-4871 or visit SonomaParks.org.

PUMPKIN PATCH AND CORN MAZE OPENS (Friday, Sept. 27 – Halloween) - Sure, some drop by the famous Petaluma destination merely to peruse its vast five-acre array of pumpkins. But what makes people slam on their brakes is the Amazing Corn Maze itself. It can take people 45 minutes or more to find their way out. And that’s in the daylight. With a map. To help, two-story viewing platforms have been added inside the maze, so lost souls can grab a quick view of the terrain before heading back down into the twisty labyrinth. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the maze stays open for bold-and-daring flashlight wielders willing to enter the maze in near complete darkness. Daytime maze entry $7, $10 for nighttime excursions. 450 Stony Point Road. The Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze closes its 2019 season at 6 p.m. on Halloween. Check out PetalumaPumpkinPatch.com.

ALL HALLOWS ART FEST (Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) - Halloween fans come to Petaluma from all over for the annual All Hallows Art Fest, an eye-popping showcase of hand-crafted Halloween-themed art and collectibles by some of the most renowned artists in the field. Everything from whimsical skeletons to gorgeous gothic jewelry will be on display. The line forms before sunrise. Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue. Admission is $5 at the door. Visit the website at Halloweenfolkartsociety.com, or taake a look at Stephanie Sherratt’s blog at Allhallowsartfest.blogspot.com.

ROCKSOBERFEST (Saturday, Sept. 28 from 1-9 p.m.) - Combining the energy of a rock music festival with the sobriety-friendly camaraderie of a 12-step meeting, the next RockSoberFest will take place right here at the fairgrounds in Petaluma. The event is alcohol free, and includes the surf-punk band The Happys, Venus in Scorpio, No Account, and John and Camellia Ford, plus food, meetings and other buzz-free fun. Tickets will be $18 in advance and $22 at the door, with kids 16-and-under $10. Tickets available on EventBrite.com.

PETALUMA RIVER CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL (Saturday, Sept. 28, 1 - 5 p.m.) - With the catchy slogan “Brews from our backyard, right by the River,” local craft beer fanatics are invited to celebrate the 6th annual Petaluma River Craft Beer festival, sipping on 23 local breweries including Lagunitas, Henhouse, Fogbelt, 2 Tread, Bear Republic and more. Food and drink will be accompanied by live music by the riverfront. You must be 21+ to attend this event. Tickets are $50, includes souvenir beer-tasting glass. Visit Petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org

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