Columbus Day Cheer: Walnut Creek’s Fall Festival Ignites Holmes County’s Harvest Spirit
In the rolling hills of Holmes County, where Amish buggies share roads with leaf-peeping tourists, the air today carries the crisp scent of hay bales and spiced cider.
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In the rolling hills of Holmes County, where Amish buggies share roads with leaf-peeping tourists, the air today carries the crisp scent of hay bales and spiced cider. The Farm at Walnut Creek’s annual Fall Festival is running today (Columbus Day, October 13), transforming 120 acres of farmland into a whirlwind of autumnal delight. From 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., families are streaming through the gates at 4147 County Road 114 in Sugarcreek, drawn by the promise of wagon rides, corn boxes, and opportunities to hand-feed animals from a drive-through animal park. Though sometimes described as a “drive-through safari,” the attraction is more accurately an exotic animal park that visitors explore by car or wagon ride, featuring animals such as giraffes, camels, and zebras. The festival has run on fall weekends throughout the season and includes today as part of that schedule.
The final weekends extend through October 25, including October 17-18 and 24-25. Last weekend, October 10–11, crowds enjoyed pumpkin patches, straw castles, corn boxes, and pumpkin slingshots under the turning leaves. The festival weaves Holmes County’s agrarian roots into modern fun: visitors can feed animals from a wagon, tour barns and non-electric farmhouses, or sample homemade pies and farm-style food from on-site vendors. For residents and visitors alike, the festival bolsters local economies.
The nearby road network supports increased tourist traffic to Walnut Creek village, relieving some pressure on Millersburg’s downtown during peak fall tourism.
Visitor spending flows into local shops, eateries, and artisan vendors, contributing to Holmes County’s growing agritourism sector. Safety is also a focus: wide spaces, volunteer guides, clear signage, and drive-through layouts help manage crowds smoothly. This year’s edition feels especially resonant amid community rhythms. The West Holmes High School football team suffered a 40-7 loss to Ashland on October 10, and the festival offers a refreshing, no-scoreboard counterpoint to competitive pressures. As the sun dips over the pastures this evening, the festival reminds Holmes County why fall here isn’t just a season — it’s a celebration of resilience, from buggy wheels to school buses.
With more weekends ahead, there’s ample time to join. For tickets and details, visitors can contact The Farm at Walnut Creek directly at (330) 893-4200.