Fun Fall Festivities

CORN MAZES

Shyrock's Corn Maze

Directions: Drive east on I-70, take exit 137 (Millersburg). Go left off exit ramp, take the first right and continue east for about 3 miles.

(573) 592-0191; callawayfarms.com

Hours: Open 4-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 2-6 p.m. Sunday

Callaway Farms east of Columbia has cut a maze through its corn crop for visitors every year since 2001.

The idea for this year’s maze came from the St. Louis Cardinal’s World Series win last fall. Owner Dennis Shryock said he and his family are Cardinals fans, but he likes to make sure his maze is attractive to people in the area as well.

Surprisingly, Shryock says, it does not take long to make the intricate maze. Shryock’s son designs the maze and flags the corn in the design. This takes a couple of days.

The actual cutting only takes about two days, Shryock said.

“Most people are just overwhelmed by the size of the maze when they get here,” he said. “The maze takes up 14 acres. We have people that will come two or three times in one year, bringing back more friends or family each time.”

The maze will be open through Oct. 28. Former designs have included a map of theU.S., a likeness of Mount Rushmore, and a couple Mizzou logos.

Callaway Farms also has a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, hayrides by reservation and campfires on a first-come or first-reserve basis.

Shryock’s Big Red Barn sells refreshments and souvenirs and provides a place to relax after a day on the farm.

The main attraction inside the barn is a three-story gum ball coaster. The track of the coaster runs along the front wall and through the rafters.

Liberty Corn Maze

Directions: 17607 N.E. 52nd St., Liberty

(816) 781-9196; libertycornmaze.com

Hours: Open 5 p.m.-midnight Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. Last admission is 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

This maze spotlights the “border showdown” between the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas with the logos of both schools. Open through Oct. 28

FALL FESTIVALS

Today

9 a.m. Family Bike Ride, MKT Trail, Columbia

8 p.m. YouZeum Starlight Bike Ramble, Columbia

Today and Sunday

Festival of the Arts, Courthouse Square, Columbia

Oct. 6-7

Rendezvous Festival, Huntsdale

Oct. 13-14

Pumpkin Festival, Hartsburg

Oct. 26

Artageous Friday, The District, Columbia

Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28

Oktoberfest weekends, Hermann

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

For families

Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival

Oct. 13-14

Hartsburg

(573) 657-4556

The town of Hartsburg will host this festival during the second weekend in October. Visitors can enjoy the pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, food and other activities.

For couples

Les Bourgeois Winery

Rocheport

Tasting Room and Gift Shop: (573) 698-2716

Blufftop Bistro: (573) 698-2300

The Blufftop Wine Garden and Bistro has outdoor seating, which provides a scenic view while dining and sipping local wines.

missouriwine.com

For students

Mighty-MO Canoe and Kayak Tours

Rocheport

(573) 698-3903

Experience Missouri scenery and wildlife on a guided tour floating down the Missouri River. Scheduled floats are Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $240 with a four-boat minimum (eight people, $30 per person).

For friends

Oktoberfest weekends

Saturdays and Sundays in October

Hermann

(800) 932-8687

hermannmo.info

Tours, food, beer and wine, music, crafts, antiques and art.

PUMPKIN PATCHES

Pick and Pick

5910 S. Rangeline Road, Columbia

(573) 449-8031

Open Sunday and Monday; call for hours.

Pumpkins, pre-picked produce, fruits and vegetables at this pumpkin patch located in Columbia.

McCoy’s Pumpkin Farm

15475 N. Route Z, Centralia

(573)682-5450

Open 1-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.

Pick pumpkins from the field or select pre-picked produce. There is also a petting zoo, sorghum maze, garden, and gourd tunnel for the kids.

Home Grown Paradise

I-70 east, exit 137, Fulton

(573) 642-5066

Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday.

Pumpkins as well as a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Peach Tree Farms

West of Columbia near I-70, exit 111

(660) 882-8009

Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Pumpkins, hayrides, barnyard animals and a straw maze.

WHY THEY LOVE FALL

“I do a lot of housework to get ready for the winter, but that is more out of necessity. I personally like to enjoy nature by biking on the MKT Trail.”

— Alex Miller, sign language Interpreter

“I enjoy baking at home. I like to make seasonal foods like pumpkin or applesauce cakes.”

— Debbie Pemberton, legal secretary

“I like hiking in some of the areas around Columbia — like Three Creeks Park, Rock Bridge State Park and Mark Twain National Forest — with my friends after it cools off a little bit.”

— Blair Miller, MU student

“My favorite thing to do in the fall is carve pumpkins. Halloween is my favorite holiday. Last year I carved a bat sitting on top of a pumpkin.”

— Savannah Duncan, MU student

FALL WEATHER

Temperatures

Avg. High Avg. Low

Sept. 79.1 55.4

Oct. 68 44.1

Nov. 53 33

Average Precipitation

Sept. 3.42”

Oct. 3.18”

Nov. 3.47”

Sunshine

Sept. 60 percent

Oct. 59 percent

Nov. 47 percent