Autumn is here once again, and with it comes to glorious bounty of the harvest. The shadows grow longer, the golden sunsets set the sky on fire, and smells like wood, caramel and straw bring back memories of harvest traditions and happy Halloween nights. 

When approaching the Harry & David Country Village store in Medford, Oregon, one is greeted by a nostalgic harvest display of pumpkins and straw bales. Shades of green and brown inside give the atmosphere of walking in a forest. One can reserve their famous Royal Riviera pears now for the holiday season, send a gift of Moose Munch Bars and a thank-you note to the troops, and find plenty of Halloween decorations and treats. Finally, on Saturday, October 21st, visitors are invited to the annual Harvest Festival for pumpkin painting, tastings and more. Store hours: Daily, 9 am – 7 pm.

Journeying out to Central Point, one can find the Seven Oaks Farm, famous for their produce and purebred cattle. A true family-run enterprise, this farm sports a magnificent pumpkin patch, grown, carved and styled into unique and entertaining displays. The joy of autumn fun, and the warmth of family make this farm a wonderful destination. Autumn hours: Wednesday thru Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm.

For even more harvest fun, one can visit the Fort Vannoy Farm in Grants Pass for their Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. The maze, cut from a massive field of corn, is sure to inspire fun and happy memories for everyone who ventures in. Events such as the Old Time Tractor Show, special food on the weekends and more await visitors this fall. Daily hours for October are from 11 am – 6 pm.

As the rusty leaves fall, it’s time for a new kind of fun. Pumpkins take the place of watermelons, and long strolls through the falling leaves take the place of swimming. Locals and visitors are sure to feel the spirit of the season, adding another leaf to their pile of golden memories.

This article originally ran in the 04.21 issue in 2017.