5 things to enjoy at Barton Hill Farms’ 11th annual Fall Festival

Barton Hills was recently named the best pumpkin patch in the entire state of Texas, so you know they’re doing something right. | Photo provided by Barton Hill Farms

We don’t want to be corny, Austin, but there’s only one right way to celebrate fall — with pumpkin patches, corn mazes + all the fall festival goodness at Barton Hill Farms’ 11th annual Fall Festival.

Happening each weekend starting Sat., Oct. 1 through Sun., Nov. 6 (Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., including Columbus Day), the festival has something for everyone (even those not as enthusiastic about corn as this kid).

Here are 5 things to look forward to:

🌽 A Dazed and Confused-inspired corn maze

Yes, it’s called Mazed and Confused. In the words of Barton Hill Farms co-owner Craig Swanson, “We want to do our part to keep the original Austin spirit alive, and Dazed and Confused is a cult classic that really embodies the city.”

🎃 Pick-your-own pumpkin patch + sunflower field

Get pumpkins for the whole fam, head down the sunflower field to pick your own bouquet and have an impromptu family photo sesh — everything you need for a picture-perfect autumn afternoon.

Pro tip: This would make a great first date, too. 👀

🍻 Eats + drinks

Barton Hill Farms will have tons of fall fare (plus family meal deals) including:

BBQ and sweet corn-on-the-cob
Kettle corn and hot churros
Fried chicken tenders and fries

For Austinites 21+, the Apfelwein & Biergarten overlooks the Colorado River and has craft beer and cider from local breweries on tap.

Little Austinites can try their hand at supervised archery.

🎶 Live music and entertainment

Catch some live music at the TX Live Music Stage from familiar bands, and discover some new favorites, too. They’ll have other entertainment options too — think Western + magicians shows. (When was the last time you saw a good magic trick?).

🍁 Tons of fall games

If you want it, Barton Hills has it. Their family-friendly activity lineup includes duck races, fishing, super slides, hay rides, and more.*

GET TICKETS FOR THE FAM

QUIZ

At which college is Matthew McConaughey a Professor of Practice?

A. Southwestern University
B. Texas State University
C. The University of Texas at Austin
D. The Art Institute of Austin

Find the answer in the Wrap.

ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT

EVENTS

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Today

The Afghan Whigs | Wed., Sept. 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Mohawk Austin | $30 | Pink Mountaintops will also perform with the Cincinnati-based rock band. 🎸
Hellzapoppin Circus Sidewshow | Wed., Sept. 28 | 7 p.m. | Come and Take It Live | $18+ | The world’s largest international rock-n-roll circus sideshow includes death-defying stunts, magic, and acrobatics. 🎪

Thursday

I’d Really Like To See You Again | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 9:30 p.m. | Empire Control Room | $10 | God Shell and PaleFade are also performing at this late-night concert.
PAACK | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 6 p.m. | The Saxon Pub | Free | Stop by for “lady-led” group PAACK, and stay for later performances from Patrice Pike + The Hipocrats. 🎶

Friday

American Indian Heritage Day | Fri., Sept. 30 | 6-8 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum | Free | Explore museum exhibits + honor American Indian heritage with dancing and drumming performances — additional programming is available for museum visitors from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Gorillaz | Fri., Sept. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Moody Center | $100+ | The virtual rock/hip hop band is stopping in Austin for one night. 🎧

Saturday

Austin Record Convention | Sat., Oct. 1-Sun., Oct. 2 | Times vary | Palmer Events Center | $5+ | Add to your collection at this sale containing more than one million 45s, LPs, CDs, and collectibles from 300+ different sellers. 📼
Water Lantern Festival | Sat., Oct. 1 | 4:30 p.m. | Mueller Lake Park | $25.99+ | Listen to music and eat from food trucks before designing your lantern + launching it into the lake — ticket cost includes lantern supplies. 💫

Plan Ahead

Amy Schumer | Sat., Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | ACL Live at the Moody Theatre*
Trans-Siberian Orchestra | Wed., Dec. 7 | 7 p.m. | Moody Center*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

90º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️

Closed

After almost 20 years, Regal Arbor 8 cinema closed this week. The theater, which has been screening independent films since October 2003, closed in an effort to offload financial burden for parent company Cineworld Group, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this month. (Austin American-Statesman)

Festival

Zilker Park’s great lawn is now closed for ACL Music Festival. Other parkland, such as the area south of Barton Springs Pool, remains open. Check out this map for more details. 🌳

Coming Soon

Este, a coastal Mexican restaurant from the team behind Suerte, will open on Manor Road on Mon., Oct. 3. Chef Fermín Núñez’s menu features seafood, charcoal-cooked foods, and heirloom corn masa dishes. 🍽 (Eater Austin)
The New York-based Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is opening at least five locations in Austin, with the first location opening in East Austin in early 2023. The chain offers dumplings with unique fillings such as peanut butter + jelly and Philly cheesesteak. 🥟 (Austin Business Journal)

Edu

Austin’s Liberal Arts & Science Academy is the second-best school in Texas, according to a new ranking from school evaluation website Niche. Westlake High School and Westwood High IB World School also made the top 10 list, at Nos. 6 and 8, respectively. 📚 (KXAN)

Environment

The LCRA will lower Lake Marble Falls by about seven feet for three months starting this Saturday. The changes to Hill Country lake are being implemented to allow access to docks and the Starcke Dam. (KXAN)
Single-use plastics are the most common type of trash found in Austin’s creeks, according to a new report from the city’s Watershed Protection Department. The study, which evaluated 110 miles of creeks over two years, found trash came from several community sources.

Legacy

Dean Caswell, an Austinite and one of the last living World War II Marine fighter pilots, died Wednesday. The 100-year-old also served in the Korean War and Vietnam War. (Austin American-Statesman)

Cause

Musicians Kevin Russell of Shinyribs + Andrea Magee produced songs for the City of Austin raising awareness about the importance of keeping dogs on a leash. See the music videos online or listen to the tunes in person at Magee’s album release party this Fri., Sept. 30 at the 04 Center. 🦮

Number

48,071. That’s how many newsletter subscribers (like you) we reach every day through ATXtoday. Have a local, regional, or national business and want to expand your audience? Learn how to advertise with us.

Pets

Woof woof. That’s the sound of your pup asking what they’re going to be for Halloween this year. Our ideas: Sherlock Holmes, a professional chef, a fluffy lion, Oscar the Grouch, or a taco. Cats can get in on the fun too, as a “Meowbucks” barista, a slice of bread, or a sophisticated Parisian. 🎃*

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OUTDOORS

They’re just fluttering through 🦋

A gif tracking Monarch butterfly sightings in the US

Follow Monarch migration on Journey North, which collects + maps reported sightings of the butterflies. | Screen recording via Journey North

Monarch butterflies — Texas’ state insect — are in the middle of migrating south for the winter, and should reach peak presence in the Lone Star State within a matter of weeks.

The butterflies’ relationship with Texas is significant, and not just because they’re burnt orange. The insects are suffering from declining populations, and rely on native plants for habitat and food. Pro tip: Learn more about how you can help support Monarch populations in your own backyard here.

Last year, the first Monarchs were spotted in Central Texas in the first week of October, according to data from Journey North, a Monarch-watching website. Most recent sightings of the insects this year have been as far south as San Marcos.

Are you keeping an eye out for Monarch butterflies? Let us know when you spot one — and if you happen to snap a photo, we’d love to share it in an upcoming newsletter.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by London.

Editor’s pick: Let’s follow up on that quiz. If you guessed that Matthew McConaughey is a Professor of Practice at C., the University of Texas at Austin, you would be correct.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here’s your mini-guide to Austin street artists.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Figi, London Gibson, Dayten Rose, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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