Fall Festivals in South Dakota

Fall has fallen, leaves are changing, and winter is looming on the horizon for many areas of South Dakota.  But fear not, because there are still ample opportunities to celebrate autumn and its bounty.  Here are just a few of the fall celebrations taking place around the state this weekend:

Harvest Festival — Come out with the family to pick apples and pumpkins, meet Sneakers the live scarecrow, take a hayride, taste homemade pumpkin and apple pies, and much more.  Country Apple Orchard, Harrisburg, SD  605-743-2424

Free YMCA/Embrace Family Fest — Smores by the fire, inflatables, crafts, and more.  YMCA Leif Erickson Day Camp, Sioux Falls, SD

FestiFALL — Pumpkin catapulting, carving, and seed guessing, arts and crafts, candlelight walk, and blue grass music will entertain the whole family.  Newton Hills State Park, Canton, SD 605-987-2263

South Dakota Festival of Books — There’s nothing better than curling up with a great book in front of the fire.  Over 50 national, regional, and South Dakota writers and readers gather over the weekend.  Downtown Deadwood, SD

Oktoberfest — Brats, beer barrel games, food tasting and now infamous wiener dog races combine to make up Deadwood’s Oktoberfest.  Downtown Deadwood, SD

Quilt Festival and Avenue of Quilts — Merchants up and down the streets of Watertown display quilts in conjunction with the quilt convention.  Downtown Watertown, SD