How can I make the most of the fall season?
By Jeff Ronhaar, Head Coach
“Summertime… and the livin’s easy.” You can almost feel the hot sun on your neck and taste the lemonade when you think of that song. But when September hits, that feeling starts fading quickly.
For many people⸺landscaping professionals excluded⸺summer is a time of relaxed work expectations. September brings with it a strong dose of reality. Kids get back to school, sports, and music lessons resume, and for adults it’s time to buckle down and get serious about work again.
Despite a couple of weeks of recent summery weather, you’ve probably had to spend most of your time inside. With all the September busy-ness, it can be hard to feel thankful. But Thanksgiving is coming.
For many, fall is the best time of the year, so we wanted to share some suggestions for making the most of the next few weeks. That way, when it’s time to gather with family and friends and bow your heads before you tuck into a 20-pound bird with all the fixins, you’ve got a few things to reflect on.
Here are 5 ways you can fully enjoy the fall season.
1. Hit the Road, Jack!
Plan a Fall Colours Road Trip.
Whether you stick around Haldimand County, or venture a little further afield. Whether you’re travelling on two wheels, four wheels, or a pulling a fifth wheel. There’s really nothing like finding a hiking trail or campsite in a hilly locale to see the autumn leaves going down in a blaze of glory.
Hint to retirees: Campgrounds are considerably less hectic this time of year.
Bonus tip: Go jump in a lake! Seriously. You’ll be surprised at how warm the water still is in late September or early October. Try it and let us know how it goes. Or maybe you'll be surprised at how inaccurate this bonus tip is. Either way, you'll never feel more alive.
2. “Fair” Thee Well.
Tis the season for fall fairs. Enter a pie-eating contest. Ride The Tilt-a-Whirl. Support a busker. Watch a demolition derby. Toss a ring around a bottle top to win a giant stuffed panda (does that ever actually happen?). Win a blue ribbon for that sweater you knit out of cotton candy. The possibilities are endless. Here are a few events to get you started…
Ancaster Fair - September 19-22
Oktoberfest in Caledonia - October 5-6
Rockton World’s Fair - October 10-13
Apple Festival - Stoney Creek - September 28
Burford Fall Fair - October 11-14
Norfolk Fall Fair - October 8-14
3. Are you ready for some football?
Sure, you could ease back into that familiar butt groove on the couch, but why not find a park and gather with some friends for some flag football?
Tossing around the ol’ pigskin is a great way to burn a few calories before a more sedentary cold weather lifestyle begins.
On the other hand, if you’d rather see the real thing, head on over to a Ti-Cats game for a tail-gating party before releasing a few collective oskee wee wees. (For those of you who don’t know what that is, read more about it here before you do something that gets us into trouble.)
4. Are you ready for the country?
Visit a local farm for some hay riding, apple picking, pumpkin choosing, corn maze navigating and goat petting. You can do it all!
The kids will love it and you’ll all come home with a nice healthy glow.
If you can’t make it to the farm, be sure to check out your local Farmers Market. It’s a great way to connect with your community and support your local food producers.
Click here for a list of farms in Brant, Hamilton, and Haldimand County that are open to the public.
5. Marinate in some fermentation!
Would you like some beer with that wine
One final way to truly enjoy the fruit of the harvest is to head just a little ways down the road to Niagara Region⸺rent a van or a limo with a driver and go with a group of friends.
Niagara has some of the best wineries and craft breweries in the world, and they often have great restaurants right on the premises.
Don’t want to make a full day of it? Visit our good friends over at Concession Road Brewing.
