Soon the leaves will begin to change, hay bales will fill wagons, mazes will replace cornfields, a chill will fill the air, and apple cider will warm gloved hands.

Today marks the first day of autumn.

Here are just a few local farms and organizations that offer some of our favorite autumn activities.

Farms open all season:

Harner Farm

About: Along with a seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables market, the 100-acre family owned farm offers hayrides, a pumpkin field, a corn maze and more during the autumn months.

Where: 2191 W. Whitehall Road, State College

More info: 237-7919; www.facebook.com/harnerfarm

Wasson Farm

About: The family owned farm and market, open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., offers a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, a farm animal petting zoo and hayrides. The farm’s annual Fall Fest will take place on the weekend of Oct. 13-14, and features making apple butter and homemade soups, all powered by steam engine. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin will also be available from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. The pumpkin picking cost is $5 per person.

Where: 411 Shingletown Road, State College, PA 16801

More info: 237-2339; www.facebook.com/pages/Wasson-Farm-Market/168532409895357

Way Fruit Farm

About: The farm, open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, offers a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, a petting zoo and crafts throughout the fall months. Each year, the farm hosts a Fall Festival on Oct. 13, and Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival includes wagon rides to pick your own pumpkins, an apple slingshot, crafters, a petting zoo and other activities in addition to the farm’s market. Food is provided by a local Lions Club and baked goods including apple dumplings are available, according to the farm’s website, and 10 percent of the festival earnings will go to an orphanage in the Dominican Republic.

Where: 355 Halfmoon Valley Road, Port Matilda

More info: 692-5211; www.wayfruitfarm.com

Nittany Mountain Trail Rides Inc.

About: The organization offers hayrides and campfires with food, including hot dogs, hamburgers, hot sausages and the makings for smores. Apple cider, hot chocolate and soft drinks are also served.

Where: 66 Roundhouse Road, Lewistown

More info: 880-5100, nittanymttrailrides@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/pages/Nittany-Mountain-Trail-Rides-Inc-Horses-and-Hayrides/181679071866898

Fall events:

Centre Region Parks and Recreation “Scarecrow — Stuff It”

What: For this nature center fundraiser, teams of up to 10 people compete to build the best “ Guardian of the Garden.” Millbrook Marsh will provide straw, string and bags. Judging for the general, community organization and commercial team divisions will take place at 4 p.m. A photo of each scarecrow will also be taken and posted on the Centre Region Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page to be judged.

Cost: $20 per scarecrow. All proceeds will benefit the nature center. Groups must pre-register by 5 p.m. Monday.

When: Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.

Where: Millbrook Marsh Nature Center (Pavilion)

More info: www.crpr.org/sp-events/specials.html

Other upcoming CRPR autumn events

What: Other upcoming autumn activities hosted by the CRPR include

• the Centre Region Punt, Pass & Kick Competition on Sept. 30 at the John Hess Softball Field Complex

• the Dark in the Park Stories around the Campfire event on Oct. 24 at Sunset Park

• the 67th annual Halloween Costume Parade on Oct. 28 in downtown State College

• the official Centre Region 2012 Trick-or-Treat Night on Oct. 31 throughout the Centre Region

• and the 10th annual Millbrook Marsh Historic Harvest Festival on Nov. 4 at the nature center

More info: www.crpr.org/sp-events/specials.html

Tussey Mountain OktoberFest

What: The first annual Tussey Mountain OktoberFest will include a meal of slow roasted local pig stuffed with bratwurst and sauerkraut, roasted potatoes, local grilled corn, apple dumplings and hot dogs; and a variety of Oktoberfest seasonal beers from around the globe and wine.

Cost: General admission tickets are $10 and include a plastic cup and drink of choice. VIP tickets are $45 and include a festive mug and drink of choice, food platter, chairlift ride and T-shirt. Tickets are available online or over the phone.

When: Sept. 29, starts at 3 p.m.

Where: Tussey Mountain; 301 Bear Meadow Road, Boalsburg

More info: 466-6266; www.tussey mountain.com

Shaver’s Creek Music Festival

What: A local music festival featuring Pure Cane Sugar, Grain, and Dreams and Bones, and food for sale from Eden View Organics and Standing Stone Coffee Co.

Cost: Tickets are $5 for Shaver’s Creek members, students and seniors, and $10 for nonmembers. Children 6 and under are free. Tickets are available by calling 863-2000 or by visiting Wiscoy for Pets, Appalachian Outdoors, Standing Stone Coffee Company, the Whipple Dam Store or Shaver’s Creek.

When: Sept. 30 from 1 to 6 p.m.

Where: Shaver’s Creek, 3400 Discovery Road, Petersburg

More info: 863-2000; http://shaverscreek.org

12th annual Downtown State College Fall Festival

What: The annual Fall Festival, located on Allen Street and throughout the downtown area, includes fun and games for the whole family. The Best of Happy Valley Desserts competition will also take place during the festival.

When: Oct.13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Allen Street and downtown State College

More info: www.downtownstatecollege.com

Aaronsburg Dutch Fall Festival

What: The festival includes craft vendors, entertainment and food, including homemade sticky buns, bread, a variety of soups, French fries, apple dumplings and a “Pot Pie Supper” on Saturday in the Community Building from 4 to 7 p.m. New to the festival this year is a “kids corner” with free pumpkin painting and sand art, according to the Aaronsburg Civic Club website.

Cost: Tickets for the “Pot Pie Supper” are available by request. Raffle tickets will also be available.

Where: Wert Memorial Park, West Aaron Square, Aaronsburg

When: Oct. 13-14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More info: 380-4599; http://aaronsburgcivicclub.org

Fall Harvest Pumpkin Carving

What: Visitors will help carve more than 100 jack-o’-lanterns for the Children’s Halloween Trail during the upcoming Fall Harvest Festival at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center. Pumpkins and spooky treats for this family-friendly event will be provided. Visitors are asked to pre-register by calling 863-2000 or 667-3424.

Where: Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, 3400 Discovery Road, Petersburg When: Oct. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m.

More info: 863-2000; www.ShaversCreek.org

Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center Fall Harvest Festival

What: The festival celebrates the fall harvest, and includes pumpkin carving, face painting, music, entertainment, activities, natural history programs, food, and the featured Children’s Halloween Trail.

Guides and costumed characters will lead families for about 45 minutes along the trail, which is meant to teach children about the natural history associated with Halloween. According to the group’s website, topics include the use of images of owls, spiders, cornstalks, and pumpkins; pumpkin and jack-o-lantern folklore; the nonscary truth behind bats and spiders; and the origin of trick-or-treat. Trail tours are given every half hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Attendees can also participate in the Harvest Baking Challenge by entering desserts with a fall or harvest theme. Entries will be accepted Saturday and Sunday during the festival, and judging and award announcements will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Cost: Festival attendance is free. Children’s Halloween Trail tickets cost $5 for ages 4 and older. Children younger than 3 are free.

When: Oct. 20-21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, 3400 Discovery Road, Petersburg

More info: 863-2000; www.ShaversCreek.org

Howard Fire Company Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival

What: The Howard Fire Company will host its second annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival on Oct. 20. The festival at the Bald Eagle State Park also includes launching pumpkins at targets, food and other activities.

When: Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Bald Eagle State Park in Howard

More info: www.howardfire.com

Mount Nittany Winery Harvest Fest

What: The festival includes free wine tasting and winery tours; samples and food for purchase from local vendors including Tait Farm Foods, Goot Essa Cheese, Rip Rap Baking, Gemelli Bread and others; and music by Abby and Micah Dunn, according to the winery’s website.

When: Oct. 20 from 1- 4 p.m.

Where: Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery; 300 Houser Road, Centre Hall

More info: 466-6373; www.mtnittanywinery.com