As the season inches closer, some students may be eager to get into the fall spirit. Kent offers a variety of fall events and activities for students and community members to participate in.
Sophomore zoology major Sydney Eggers said her favorite thing to do in the fall is watch football.
“I am looking forward to walking around campus and seeing the leaves change colors and going to Kent football games,” she said.
Students can easily catch the Golden Flashes in football games at Dix Stadium. Kent State will play Eastern Michigan University on Sept. 28, Ball State on Oct. 12, Ohio University on Nov. 6 and the University of Akron on Nov. 19.
For the artists, open drawing sessions are held in the Center for Visual Arts on campus every Thursday, with exceptions for fall and Thanksgiving breaks, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
KSU is hosting the Black Squirrel Festival on Sept. 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Risman Plaza. The festival is free and has music, food, games and more. It also will host organizations and offer more opportunities for students to get involved on campus.
FlashBash, Sept. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., is another event free to students. Held on the student green, it will include door prizes, food, a mechanical bull and other activities. Students can also join an open-mic night in Taylor Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The aim is to celebrate reading and students’ favorite books. Participants are invited to dress in costume for prizes.
In addition to festivities on campus, there are many additional events and activities in the city of Kent and beyond.
Kent Oktoberfest will take place on Sept. 21 at noon. The festival, on Main Street in Kent, will offer live music, German inspired food and activities until 10 p.m.
The Kent Flea Market is held on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market continues into the month of October and hosts regional creatives and bakers at 409 W. Main St.
Just over five miles from campus, Dussel Farm, located at 1109 Old Forge Road in Kent, has pumpkins and a corn maze available through the month of October.
Beckwith Orchards Cider Mill, located at 1617 Lake Rockwell Road, is about three miles from campus and has a good deal of fall spirit. In addition to the twenty different types of apples offered for purchase, they have a gift shop and bakery. Directly adjacent to the orchard, there is a bike and hike trail that grants an opportunity for a scenic walk.
Athletes looking for a race may want to look out for the Drag Race 5K that is part of Kent’s Rainbow Weekend on Friday Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. The city also sponsors a rainbow walk and other LGBTQ+ centered events downtown.
Students looking for a thrill can head to Hudson Haunted House, located outside of Kent at 2250 Barlow Road, starting on their opening night: Sept. 27. They are open on weekends throughout the rest of the season, hosting events suitable for any level of scare and will shut down in early November. Although the rouse is mostly to scare, the venue also hosts food and product vendors. A standard adult ticket costs $15.
Ghoul Brothers House of Horrors, located in Akron at 3235 Manchester Road, also opens on Sept. 27. Students can pay $25 to get scared every weekend until November.
There are plenty of opportunities, activities and events accessible to students that will help them fall into the spirit.
Ari Collins is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
