A few of central Ohio’s best fall-spirited attractions.
BY BROOKE MASON, ‘22. GRAPHICS BY MEGAN MCKINNEY, ‘22.
The fall season of 2020 was less than exciting for most Upper Arlington residents. This year, fall and Halloween themed attractions are back open—with various safety precautions—and ready for guests.
LEEDS FARM
Leeds Farm is a family-owned and operated farm that has been growing and selling pumpkins since 1988.
From Sept. 18 through Oct. 30 the farm opens its doors to guests looking for a nostalgic fall day. Admission for ages 3 to 54 is $15 and the farm is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. All tickets need to be pre- purchased.
The farm’s main attraction is the thousands of pumpkins grown each season. Senior Julia Brill visited the farm last fall and picked out a variety of pumpkins.
“There was a pumpkin patch and we actually picked out a few pumpkins and it was really fun just to get in the fall spirit,” Brill said.
There is a wide range of fall themed food available at the farm’s North Barn Calf-A. The Calf-A is operated by local bakery Pies From the Heart. Offerings at the Calf-A vary each weekend but will generally include caramel apples, several flavors of pie, donuts and cookies. The Calf-A also sells food, drinks and a specialty apple cider.
Hayrides are included within the price of admission and depart from the west side of the farm pond every 20-30 minutes. The hayrides move through the farm’s woodland property that is made up of Shagbark Hickory and Maples trees that turn spectacular colors in the fall.
FEAR COLUMBUS
Previously known as 13th Floor Columbus, Fear Columbus is an elaborate and immersive haunted house production. This year they are featuring two attractions: The Summoning and Aftermath Anarchy.
The Summoning attraction’s storyline involves a dangerous cult and the demons they have summoned. Guests travel through the house of the cult and end up deep in a demon’s lair.
“You will come face to face with these cult members and the demons they have brought to this world,” a Fear Columbus employee said. “The experience features expertly detailed sets, a state-of-the-art sound system, all-new lighting design, new costumes and new characters.”
Aftermath Anarchy features a post-apocalyptic city in total chaos. Guests walk the streets of Rapture, Fear Columbus’s fake city, after patients escape from the city’s asylum.
“This attraction might even feel more like an action movie than a haunted house at some points,” the employee said.
The attractions are open weekends Oct. 1 through Oct. 29 and open weekdays later in the month. Tickets start at $19.99 and get more expensive due to limited availability. Tickets also must be pre-purchased.
FREEMAN’S FALL FARM FESTIVAL
Freeman’s Farm is a sixth generation family-owned farm that is open to the public from Sept. 18 through Oct. 23. The farm also opens its Fall Market during the month of October.
“We do not charge an admission fee since we don’t offer a lot of activities since we consider ourselves more of a historic farm,” Lois Freeman, current co-owner of Freeman’s Farm, said. “We like to leave our surroundings as natural as possible and provide a calm, low-key atmosphere for our guests.”
The farm is open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the natural scenery for photos.
“We have many photo board opportunities and our scenic atmosphere is a great place for great fall family pics,” Freeman said.
The farm’s Fall Market is open the same hours on the weekends and is also open weekday’s noon to 7 p.m. The market offers a wide variety of pumpkins, gourds, squash, corn shocks, mums, fall candy, apples, fall crafts and decor
items.