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USA: Western Edge, Corn Mazes and Fall Festivals for Families 2009. From San Diego to Seattle seasonal festivals make the weekend awesome. Mazes provide unique signatures as the lunar calendar ends the calendar year. Escape and run through a corn maze and tap your feet to a banjo; make a wreath of heater; sample local honey; carve a pumpkin or stuff a scarecrow; ride on a wagon full of hay or bob for apples, make time for fun. We’ve selected some of the best for your review and consideration. Forget the lawn. The laundry will wait. Take the kids and go.

Oregon: St. Paul, French Prairie Gardens and Fall Harvest Festival (9/26/2009-10/31/2009). Located in the tranquil Willamette Valley French Prairie Gardens (image to the left) maintains a delightful farm produce market from April to Thanksgiving. It is the place to get a luscious fruit shake or eat simply scrumptious Umpqua Ice Cream. The 500 - acre farm grows fruits, vegetables and grass seed. Wander through the two-acre pick-your-own Pumpkin Patch. See bunnies, sheep, chickens, and visit the Kids Corral or the Two Acre Corn Maze. Watch the secret lives of chickens from the chicken coop with observation window. Investigate the Tonka toddler dirt play area or participate in the Toddler Hay Maze and Toddler Tricycle Races. Bonus points: Farmer John and Farmer Eric host the Pigtucky Derby. During the crazy weekend there will be hayrides, hay maze, two-acre corn maze, farm animal display, a obstacle course, pumpkin sling shot, kids corral, pig barrel train rides, and two 20-foot hay slides. (French Prairie Gardens, 17673 French Prairie Rd, St. Paul, OR, 97137. (503) 633-8445 or www.fpgardens.com)

California: Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival.
(10/17/2009 – 10/18/2009) The world’s biggest pumpkin  can be found each year in the World Pumpkin Capital – Half Moon Bay, California. This year’s festival will feature a fantastic lineup: rustic pumpkin patches, harvest-inspired crafts, home-style foods, expert pumpkin carvers, three stages of entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, and a bone-chilling Haunted House. Not to be missed: Also worth checking out will be the titanic weigh-off of champion pumpkins, and the pie-eating (for 11 and under and 12 and older) and costume contests. Bonus Points: Hundreds of costumed children and adults march in the Great Pumpkin Parade. It is the ultimate old-fashioned parade featuring the winner of the mighty pumpkin weigh-off as well as marching bands and classic cars. (Main Street, Half Moon Bay. (650) 726-9652 or www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest)   
 
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California: Fort Bragg, Paul Bunyan Days (9/5/2009-9/07/2009). Fall in Northern California’s Mendocino County brings bright days, crisp nights, turning leaves, and some of the most exciting food festivals and events of the year – all in the intimate atmosphere that prevails after peak season is over. This year’s theme is “Clowning Around with Paul & Babe” and features the traditional logging show, parade and barbeque. Bonus points: Take part in the “Cutting Edge” Forest Expo - a free event to help the public learn about important changes taking place in forestry and logging practices. (Fort Bragg, Paul Bunyan Days (707) 964-3356 or www.paulbunyandays.com)
    
California: Ukiah, Pumpkinfest (10/17/2009– 10/18/2009). This year’s Ukiah Country Pumpkinfest blends a harvest and music festival into the Halloween holiday.  Along with a variety of delicious foods, the streets of downtown Ukiah will be filled with craft vendors, fine arts exhibits, and " Scarecrow City ". Enjoy live music, a country fiddle contest.  Try your luck at a pie-eating contest or show off your green thumb by entering the great pumpkin weigh-off! Bonus points: The celebration includes the ever-popular children's carnival including many games and amusements. (Pumpkinfest (707) 463-6712, (707) 463-6231 or www.cityofukiah.com)

Washington: Walla Walla, Fall Harvest Festival.
(9/26/2009- 9/27/2009) Visitors at Fort Walla Walla may observe numerous pioneer crafts and skills, classic cars and trucks, and Living History programs. Many exhibitors offer handiwork for sale, re-creating the old-time harvest get-together atmosphere. This family-oriented festival includes games for kids, vendors seling pioneer-style crafts and food and treats. (755 Myra Road, Walla Walla, 99362. 1(509) 525-7703 or www.fortwallawallamuseum.org)

Washington: Port Angeles, Forest Storytelling Festival.
(10/16/2009 – 10/18/2009) Spend the weekend listening to wonderful story tellers from around the world, join in workshops and enter to win local gifts through a drawing. Program begins Friday evening at 7:30 with a Story Concert. Saturday starts with morning workshops, leading into Day Programs and an Evening Concert. Sunday has a free program, Stories to Inspire. Peninsula College, Little Theatre and Campus, Port Angeles. 1 (360) 417-5031 or www.dancingleaves.com/storypeople)
 
Please tell mom!
We want to expand the list and need your help. If you have a favorite fall festivial or know of an awesome corn maze please "Tell Mom" and we will add it to the list. Make sure to include the name of the festival or event and its location on the planet as well as why you like it or what makes it worth the trip. Our next round up will inlcude  family friendly winter holidays and celebrations. We are building the list right now and would love to have your feedback. So just "Tell Mom!"
 
Information compiled from our extensive database as of August 2009. Sometimes things change, so please confirm details before making plans.
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