5 Ways To Welcome Fall In Bergen County

Ring in the new season with activities for all your friends and family.

A new season will already be underway when you rise and shine tomorrow morning: Autumn officially begins at 2:50 a.m. on Sept. 23. If you didn’t get a chance to finish your summer to-do list, you’ll want to get an early start on fall fun. In fact, many festivals, fairs and food truck events have already taken place—and many more are on the agenda.

But what can you do to enjoy the first day of fall here in Bergen County? You know there’s a plethora of things happening this time of year, but we’ve put together a list of five perfect ways to pass the time this weekend. So grab your pumpkin spice latte and head to one of these events:

Bergen Catholic vs. Don Bosco high school football, Ramsey. Two of the top high school football programs in the country square off on the eve of the autumnal equinox. Head over to Don Bosco High School to watch the Ironmen host the Crusaders in one of the most anticipated matches of the season. Kickoff: 7 p.m. on Sept. 22

Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park. Friends and family can enjoy carnival rides, a farmers’ market, a craft fair, children’s games and activities, live music, food trucks, exhibits and more. Admission is free, rides and games are separate. All attendees are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items for the county’s Office of Food Security. Hours: 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 22; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 23; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 24

Rutherford Community Day, Memorial Field, Rutherford. You don’t have to be a borough resident to see all that this South Bergen town has to offer. While learning about Rutherford’s community groups, you can enjoy food vendors, a beer garden, live music and entertainment, kids’ games and activities, a cornhole tournament and much more! (Did we mention there’s a softball slugfest between the Rutherford PBA and Rutherford Fire Department at 9:30 a.m.?) Hours: noon to 6 p.m. on Sept. 23

Pumpkin Picking and Hayrides, Secor Farms, Mahwah. Sure, fall just started, but this farm’s famous pumpkin-picking is now open. Enjoy a cup of warm apple cider as you and your littles pick out the best gourd to carve this season. Then it’s all-aboard for a hayride around the farm’s fields (weather permitting). Online reservations are required for weekend hayrides. Hours: pumpkin picking from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily; weekend hayrides from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Mahwah. Cooler temps, changing leaves and an unforgettable landscape make a fall hike through the woods here a tradition for many. There are marked trails for all levels, so you and your crew will have a good time whether you’re trekking in tennis shoes or rock scrambling in rugged boots. Pro tip: Follow the yellow blazes to amazing vistas. Pro tip 2: The reservation tends to get crowded. Click here to read about five lesser known (but still picturesque) Bergen parks. Park hours: dawn to dusk

What are your plans for the first day of fall? Tell us on Instagram @bergenmagnj.