Fall is just around the corner for Johnston County farmers, and a variety of events and festivals are scheduled beginning in October for families to enjoy including pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes and concerts. Travel out of the city and visit several farms to learn more about the county's agriculture heritage -- and to just have some fun!

For the little ones, Clayton Fear Farm Daytime is child friendly and offers pumpkins in the patch still on the vine for picking (prices vary depending on the size).  Also suitable for children are the Seymour’s House of Dreams, Jumping Pillow, Corn Box, Spider Web, Corn Maze, Picnic Shelter, Tire / Tractor Playground, Cow Milking and a giant slide. Opening October 5, and then on Saturday and Sundays in October and Halloween Day, October 31^st.

At night and for the older kids with stronger hearts is the Clayton Fear Farm, the ONLY haunted Halloween scream park in the Triangle. This fear farm features six scary haunted attractions including haunted houses that offer new horror features each year. The farm includes the following scary attractions: Fear Farm Academy, The Black Hole, Fear Forest Haunted Hayride, Slaughterhouse, The Farm House, and A Walk In The Dark! -- Try to find your way through the rooms alone and not be sidetracked by something or someone following too closely. Opening October 5, then Friday and Saturday nights in October, and most nights at the end of the month. Check their website for a full schedule.

Both the Daytime and Fear Farm are located on the Boyette Family Farm at 1620 Loop Road, Clayton.  For more information call 919-553-0016 or visit, www.boyettefamilyfarms.com.

With a lineup like this, the 2nd Annual Farm Fest presented by Springhill Outfitters in Selma is where you want to be October 5th. Artists performing this year include Craig Morgan, Parmalee, Brian Davis, Tyler Farr, Josh Phillips, and Lauren Alaina. Along with great music, there will be food and drink vendors on hand. Farm Fest will take place from 11am to 6:30pm at "The Farm" at 225 Batten Rd., Selma. For more information and details about the concert call 919-351-0764 or visit www.springhilloutfitters.com.

On October 19, journey to Smith’s Nursery Fall Festival to enjoy the day at the nursery with pumpkin picking, crafts, hayrides, a bounce house, relay races, corn hole, music, food and much more. The festival goes from 10am-3pm.  Smith’s is located at 443 Sanders Rd., Benson (I-40, Exit 319) and for more information call 919-934-1700 or visit their website, www.smithsnurseryinc.com.

Gregory Vineyards is hosting a Fall Harvest Festival on October 19 from 2pm- 9:30. Head out to the vineyard to enjoy a DJ, Broken Road Band, vendors, Grape Stomp, Lucille Ball look-a-like contest, and much more! While you are there, enjoy tasting and sipping on a variety of muscadine wine. Gregory Vineyards is located at 275 Bowling Spring Dr., Angier. Call 919-894-7700 or visit www.gregoryvineyards.com for more details about the festival.

This year’s Wilson’s Mills Pumpkin Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 12 where visitors can join in the family fun with old fashion games, corn hole, antique farm equipment show, music, inflatables, dunking booth and great food! And of course, get your pumpkins! Time of the event is 9am- 5pm and all activities will take place at the Wilson’s Mills Town Hall area, call 919-938-3885 for more details.

For these fall events and a variety of heritage exhibits, Civil War programs, performing arts and October festivals like the Selma Railroad Days and the Ava Gardner Festival, check out the Calendar of Events on the Johnston County Visitors Bureau website, www.johnstoncountync.org or call for brochures, 919-989-8687.