Kids turn a retired tractor into a jungle gym while parents purchase seasonal goods at the farm shed. photograph by Tim Robison
Cozied into the Blue Ridge foothills, this sixth-generation farm in Henderson County evokes autumnal charm. Stroll the sunlit field beside the red barn to pick heirloom pumpkins and gourds. Then, fuel up at the food truck or “BARn,” linger for live tunes, and be sure to say hello to the resident “beefalo” — a hybrid breed of cattle and bison.
Residents and visitors of all ages enjoy the creations of the Sunset Sand Artists (top right, from left): Joye Ayre, Bobby Hunt, Robin Ilardi, Stuart Jones, Amy Brozena, and Kathy Jones. photograph by Matt Ray Photography
Year-round since 2020, these neighbors have created an open-air gallery of castles, creatures, and seasonal sandy scenes between the town’s 14th and 15th street accesses. But autumn brings cooler days and quieter beaches, offering more time to work and fewer footsteps to disturb the sculptures. Nature pitches in, too: The wind adds texture, while rain reinforces the sand. “Some fall days, it’s just us and the birds,” says artist Stuart Jones. “It’s a beautiful time.”
On fall weekends, families at Gallberry Corn Maze race, double back, and take photos as they wind through five acres of towering, green-gold sorghum. The sun warms their shoulders between each cool snap of shade. Outside the maze, giggling kids scramble up hay bales, burrow into kernels in the Corn Shack, and visit the mascot, a donkey named Mr. Hee-Haw.
In Walnut Cove, the South Stokes High School Marching Band performs as its football team takes the field to face rival Mount Airy. photograph by Jerry Wolford & Scott Muthersbaugh
For many North Carolinians, fall kicks off under the hum of Friday night lights. Bundled in layers thick enough to soften the bite of chilled metal bleachers, communities gather amid the scent of popcorn and the rhythm of a marching band to cheer on their hometown heroes — a weekly ritual as dazzling as the season itself.
Festival highlights include the parade on October 11 and the street festival (top left) on October 18. photograph by Charles Harris
Though fall festivals no longer mark the end of a literal harvest, the season still stirs a deep-rooted urge to gather and celebrate. What began in the ’80s as a one-day tribute to Hoke County’s turkey-farming industry has since grown into a vibrant, weeklong tradition (this year, October 10-18) that brings neighbors and visitors together in downtown Raeford.
Lucky (right) may look like a lion, but he’s really just one of the pups hoping for a prize in the costume contest. photograph by Tim Robison
Here, fall fashion goes to the dogs. Costumed pups and their people strut through Stowe Park, part of a festive parade and costume contest hosted on October 25 by Downtown Belmont Development Association and Gaston County Animal Care. Friendly lions trot with terriers in tutus, and superheroes bump noses with hot dogs on leashes. With prizes to win, proceeds benefiting local shelters, and treats tucked in pockets, there are plenty of reasons for tails to wag.
Want to pitch in a pumpkin for the flotilla? Drop your creation off at the park’s boathouse on October 23. photograph by Charles Harris
As twilight falls over Bond Park on October 24, dozens of jack-o’-lanterns will bob and drift in a flickering flotilla that’s towed by a kayak. Carved by community members to have grinning faces, ghostly shapes, and cats in pointed hats, the gourds glow brighter as the sky darkens.
Statesville’s three-day Carolina BalloonFest features hot-air balloon competitions, rides, and mass ascensions — plus live entertainment, a kids’ zone, a marketplace and artisan village, a North Carolina wine garden, and fair-food favorites. photograph by Nina Bauer; Jerry Wolford & Scott Muthersbaugh
The sky over Statesville transforms into a kaleidoscope on the third weekend of October, as billowing hot-air balloons slowly rise and twirl. This 50-year tradition was launched by Bill Meadows, who was trained by balloon pilot and designer Tracy Barnes. Each year, thousands of visitors spread chairs and quilts in an open field to watch skilled pilots wrangle fabric, wicker, and fire at one of the nation’s oldest hot-air balloon festivals.
This story was published on Sep 25, 2025
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