Fall, Family, and Fun in Arvada

Fall Family Activity Ideas
Looking for a "Not Halloween" Party? We literally went to another state for vacation and searched the internet for a party we could attend since we don't celebrate Halloween (but still like to dress up). We found one, but it would have been so much easier if I had a big list! So whether or not you are from out of town, check out my big list of Halloween Alternative Parties in and around Arvada, Colorado!

Come to the Arvada Harvest Festival. It happens every September and has a parade, booths, rides, kids area, and much much more!
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
- Be forewarned, if you don't celebrate Halloween, some of these are very Halloweeny and some aren't, so do some investigating before you commit
- Although the above link is great, here are a few personal recommendations from friends: Miller Farms, the Fritzler Corn Maze, and the Denver Rescue Mission Harvest Farm


October 13th
Other town festivals coming up all across Colorado - check out http://www.heiditown.com/ for ideas on these festivals.
Other town festivals coming up all across Colorado - check out http://www.heiditown.com/ for ideas on these festivals.
Train Rides
Go to Georgetown and take the loop train the first 2 weekends of October - there is also a fall festival the this time including stuff for kids at the train station. (Also free tickets if you are a History of Colorado Member)
You can do this at a farm, at a friends house, or your own if you grew them. Make it into something fun! Have a little "fall party" for your family.
- Apple Picking (where to go?)
Every year is different, you can pick at a friends house - or one year I really wanted to find an apple tree to pick from and was seriously praying for it and at the end of my walk was a giant tree with a sign "Free apples". I've also had friends who have orchards at nearby parks (this is in west Arvada). Here are a couple links to apple picking farms: Ya Ya Farm and Orchard (Longmont) http://www.yayafarmandorchard.com/ and Nelms Farm (Golden) http://www.nelmsfarm.com/
Fun Fall Runs/Walks
- Eerie erie - fun run in October (5k/10K) with a fun kids run at the end (1/4 mile) where every kid particpates for free and gets a treat bag). For other fall runs, check out active.com or runningguru.com
- Turkey Trot in Arvada on Thanksgiving morning (5k/10k) to benefit the Denver Rescue Mission - click here

Drive to the mountains to see some fall colors!
Here are a few links of great places you can drive to: Colorado Gold: Scenic Aspen Drives Near Denver, Colorado Fall Foliage, Aspen Viewing: Colorado Fall Foliage Drives, Scenic Autumn Drives in Colorado with a destination (by Heiditown), Mother List - Colorado Fall Foliage
Oh, Fall... what a great time of year. A time for playing in the leaves, making cider, starting school again and so much more.
This is where you will find info about:
This is where you will find info about:
- Halloween Alternative Parties
- Fall Fun
- Ministry Opportunities for Thanksgiving (and the beginning of the Holiday Season)

Fall Activities with a Christian Spin
Denver Rescue Mission's Turkey Drive! This
year's goal - 15,000 turkeys to give to families. When you give a
turkey, you give families an opportunity to gather together.

This year’s Thanksgiving Outreach to the Homeless and needy will take
place on November 14th, Saturday, in front of the Denver City and County
building in downtown Denver and we need your help!
This year will mark the 20th year that we’ve conducted this event. First started in front of our old soup kitchen in downtown Denver, our annual Thanksgiving Outreach has grown from 250 homeless families to many thousands of families in need
We are in need of food servers, cooks, evangelists, set up and cleanup crews, hair cutters, singers, artists, intercessors, manicurists, preachers and servants for food box and toiletry item assembly, and clothing distribution
This year will mark the 20th year that we’ve conducted this event. First started in front of our old soup kitchen in downtown Denver, our annual Thanksgiving Outreach has grown from 250 homeless families to many thousands of families in need
We are in need of food servers, cooks, evangelists, set up and cleanup crews, hair cutters, singers, artists, intercessors, manicurists, preachers and servants for food box and toiletry item assembly, and clothing distribution

Sign up to Volunteer (Ages 13 and up) and make your shoe box.
Colonial Living History Days
Colonial Living History Day - September 22nd - 23rd where people in period costume teach you all the cool stuff from that period and you can participate in different "areas" (like the farm, candle dipping etc..). Very fun, inexpensive and twice a year.
