Fremont's Ardenwood to host classic fall fun at Harvest Festival
Corn harvesting, cider pressing, train rides and live music are among the activities that will on tap during the Harvest Festival at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 8-9.
Visitors will be able to pick ears of flint corn or popcorn and take home some of what they harvest (bring a bag for the corn). Historic crafts will be available for sale. The farm's narrow-gauge train will be running, and the farm's restored 19th century Patterson House will be open for tours.
Tickets to the event cost $10 per adult, $8 for seniors 62 and older, and $6 for children ages 4 through 17. Parking is free, as is admission for kids age 3 or younger. You can buy advance tickets by calling 888327-2757 and selecting option 2, and online ticket sales will end on Friday. Presale tickets are not refundable. Ardenwood Historic Farm, which recreates life on a prosperous 19th century farming estate, is at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. in Fremont, just north of Highway 84. For festival information, call 510-544-2797 or email awvisit@ebparks.org.
SUNOL >> There are lots of other activities planned in the regional parks now that fall has officially started. For example, you can drop by the newly remodeled visitor center at Sunol Regional Wilderness any time from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, pick up an activity sheet and set forth on a self-guided scavenger hunt in the park.
While you're at the park, stop by the Ohlone Cultures Table to learn about the cultural history of Native Americans who previously lived in what is now the park. Also on Saturday, you can join naturalist Kristina Parkison to learn and play some Ohlone games in a program from 1 to 2 p.m.
Sunol is the gateway to thousands of acres of remote and wild open space in southern Alameda County. The park is at the end of Geary Road, off Calaveras Road, about 5 miles south of Interstate 680 and the town of Sunol. The programs are free, but there's a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call 510544-3243.
CASTRO VALLEY >> You could also join naturalist Michael Charnofsky for a Saturday Stroll from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. this weekend at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley. Meet Michael on Saturday morning at the Chabot Staging Area for a moderate 3½ -mile hike with pretty views at the end. The staging area is on Redwood Road, several miles north of town. For information, call 510-544-3187.
BERKELEY >> Spiders and scorpions will be the focus of a short walk from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, starting at the Environmental Education Center in Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley.
Naturalist Trent Pearce will lead the way, discussing how these and other arachnids are beneficial to the environment. The event would be canceled if it rains. The center is at the north end of Tilden's Central Park Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233.
OAKLEY >> A moonlight meander is on the agenda from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Saturday at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley. Naturalist Misti Marsh will lead the walk on darkening trails listening for screeches, hoots, howls and clicks while watching the moon rise. Bring flashlights.
There's also a nature-based craft program from noon to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October, led by an interpretive student aide. The theme Saturday and Oct. 9 is “Bountiful Bats.”
Big Break Regional Shoreline is at 69 Big Break Road, off Oakley's Main Street. There's no parking fee, and the programs are generally free. For information, call 510-5443050.
ONLINE >> There are plenty of other activities planned in the regional parks this fall. For the full story, visit ebparks. org/things-to-do online.