By: Tom Perkins
Freelance reporter

Ypsilanti area offers plenty of fall fun

Topics: News, Ypsilanti

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Posted: Sep 26, 2010 at 1:30 PM [Yesterday]

Hay rides are a great way for families to celebrate autumn.

File photo | AnnArbor.com

If you're looking for fall fun, Ypsilanti has plenty to offer. Read on for the details on everything from costume parties to Oktoberfests to apple- and pumpkin-picking and more.

The embodiment for fall-related fun in the area is Wiard’s Orchard in Ypsilanti Township. Among the many possibilities for enjoying an afternoon are a cider mill, pumpkin-picking, apple-picking, hay rides, pedal tractor racing, a petting farm, a corn maze and much more.

By night, Wiard’s transforms into The Night Terrors Haunted Thrill Park. Choose from six scary activities, such as the Labyrinth Haunted Corn Maze, Hayride of The Lost or Scareyoke.

Amore low-key venue for picking pumpkins and apples throughout the season is Wasem Fruit Farm on Judd Road. The farm is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Once you fill up on cider and homemade doughnuts, head next door to the Talladay Farms Corn Maze, which also offers bonfires for larger groups in the evening.

Harrison Brown of Ypsilanti jumps off a hay bale at an event last year.

File photo | AnnArbor.com

Ypsilanti is well known across the region for its antique car shows, and one of the more unusual is the last show of the season on Oct. 3. The Southeast Michigan Antique Truck Show in Riverside Park is free and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Organizers say it will feature roughly 40 trucks, including a 1924 Garford flatbed, antique fire trucks, a 1930 Model A Gas Tanker and much more.

“It’ll be exciting -you’re going to get a real cross-section of trucks,” Jack Miller, owner of the Heritage Auto Museum said.

Stop by the Corner Brewery on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. for the annual "Imagine. A John Lennon Birthday Concert Fundraiser." Local artists Chris Buhalis, Jo Serrapere, Danny Kline, Ypsitucky Colonels and many more will perform John Lennon songs, and the $10 admission will go to support the Veterans for Peace “Peace Scholarship Program”. The scholarship assists students involved in an accredited peace studies program. The event is endorsed by Lennon’s wife, Yoko Ono.

If you like beer, costumes and rock and roll, drop in to the Corner “Boo-ery” on Oct. 30 for their Halloween costume party. Admission includes food and music provided by Manhole UK.

For a more family-oriented Halloween party, check out the Ypsilanti Downtown Halloween Party on North Washington Street on Oct. 29 The event is free and runs from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be music, games, a costume contest and candy for kids under 12 years old.

After the party stop by the Dreamland Theater at 26 E. Washington St. will present the puppet adaptation of Stephen King’s “Children of The Corn” on Oct. 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and prior to the party the Ypsilanti District Library will hold "Scary Story Time" at 4:30 p.m.

You can plan a stay at the Parish House Inn bed and breakfast and walk to these events.

Chris Mason

Innkeeper
Parish House Inn