When the leaves begin to fall and the pumpkin spice lattes and sweaters come out, it’s time to venture to Phelps County, Nebraska, for good old-fashioned fall fun!
Bring the entire family for a day at Grandpa’s Punkinberry Patch or just the girls for a fall shopping day at the Fall Fest Oct. 6-9. Or, experience a one-of-a-kind haunted house with your friends at Grey House Haunts.
Here are the details for fall fun in Phelps County:
Grandpa’s Punkinberry Patch – Sept. 17-Oct. 30
Plunge down a 172-foot giant hillside slide into a canyon, get lost in a corn maze, ride the barrel train, pet goats and enjoy a hayrack ride to the pumpkin patch at this family-friendly attraction.
Other activities include the punkin’ cannon and slingshot, duck races, mini golf, a jump pad, adult and children’s pedal cars, go-carts and a horse merry-go-round.
A remodeled Grandma’s Nook will be stocked with drinks, sweet treats and of course, fudge!
End your afternoon with a hayrack ride to the patch to pick pumpkins of various sizes and colors.
Grandpa’s is open Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 17-Oct. 30. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays.
Grandpa’s Punkinberry Patch is located at 10798 736 Road south and east of Holdrege. Follow the directions listed on the attraction’s website. For more information, a map and directors, visit https://gpapunkinberry.com
Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce Fall Fest
Enjoy four days of shopping fun and events at the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Fest Oct. 6-9. The Holdrege Sun Theater & Event Venue will be open each day featuring area crafters and vendors, several Holdrege High School student groups have partnered with area businesses for fundraisers, and Lost Way Brewery will have fun events throughout the weekend. Here’s the lineup:
Thursday, Oct. 6: Craft vendors at the Holdrege Sun Theater and Event Venue – 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Lost Way Brewery Run Club and Trivia and Nick’s Gyros Food Truck, 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 7: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Craft Vendors at the Holdrege Sun, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Lost Way Brewery Happy Hours, 2-5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Craft vendors at the Holdrege Sun, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Lost Way Brewery Pumpkin Bowling and Food Truck, 4-9 p.m. and live music by Ashley Brock from 6-9 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9: Pumpkin painting at Lost Way Brewery, 2-7 p.m. and Bingo at the brewery from 4-5 p.m.
Also, shop at Bruce Furniture, My Fair Lady’s Fashions and Frills, Stephanie’s and The 308 Boutique in downtown Holdrege for fall specials.
Start your day off with a Pumpkin Spice or Apple and Caramel latte from Scooters and enjoy meals at JB’s Sports Bar & Grill and Sonic throughout the weekend.
Grey House Haunts – Opens Oct. 14
Grey House Haunts, 203 High St. in Holdrege, is a Halloween Haunted House with live actors now in its 9th year. It promises to scare, thrill and entertain. It was voted the No. 1 Must-See Haunted Attraction in Nebraska.
Haunted house visitors often comment on the realism of the actors and scenes in the haunted house. Owner Jan Knuth and her make-up assistants use professional techniques like airbrushing to make the actors look real and frightful.
The attraction is intended for anyone 10 years and older. The 2022 dates are October 14-15, Oct. 21-22, Oct. 28-29 and Oct. 31 (Ladies Night Out). Hours are 7:30-10:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $15 each and are available at the door or online.
For more information, visit http://greyhousehaunts.com.
Bertrand Craft Show – October 15
Bertrand boasts one of the longest-running craft shows in the state with its 48th annual Bertrand Craft Show on October 15. The event, organized by the Bertrand Agricultural Society, takes place all over town, including in the Bertrand Public School, the Bertrand Community Building and in downtown Bertrand.
More than 900 shoppers descended upon Bertrand (population 741) for the 2021 show, which features local, regional and out-of-state vendors.
This is the perfect opportunity to shop for yourself or get a head start on your Christmas shopping!
The craft show is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and be sure to arrive early for the best shopping.
Good Eats in Phelps County
While in Phelps County, enjoy dining at one of our many family-friendly restaurants. https://www.visit37.com/dining/