October is a wonderful time to explore Ashland and the surrounding Rogue Valley. Downtown Ashland’s Saturday Growers & Crafters Market continues through October 31, bringing local produce, specialty foods, and handmade goods to Oak Street. Pair a market morning with a walk through Lithia Park to enjoy the changing leaves before heading back to the gardens at Country Willows Inn.
Halloween brings one of Ashland’s most cheerful traditions. On Saturday, October 31, children and families can put on their costumes for the Ashland Chamber’s Children’s Halloween Celebration. A costumed procession makes its way through downtown, followed by trick-or-treating at participating businesses. It’s a festive way to spend Halloween afternoon in the heart of town.
At Pheasant Fields Farm near Phoenix, the Harvest Festival fills Saturdays and Sundays throughout October with pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides, farm activities, and live music. Another outing near Ashland is Hanley Farm in Central Point. The farm hosts the Homestead Charm Vintage Faire on October 2 and 3, then takes on a Halloween atmosphere for its October 24 Halloween History Prowl, a lantern-lit walk across the historic property.
For an evening steeped in local lore, head to Jacksonville on October 16 or 17 for Historic Jacksonville’s Haunted History Walking Tours. Costumed guides share stories from the town’s pioneer past on one-hour walks through its historic district. Guests can choose between the Britt Hill and Courthouse routes, each with its own tales of the people and places behind Jacksonville’s haunted reputation.
Medford offers choices for both gentle Halloween fun and bigger scares. The city’s family-friendly Howl-O-Ween Party is October 23 at RogueX, with games, music, costumes, and candy. Harvest & Hallow brings a fall festival market to RogueX on October 30 and 31. Visitors ready for a haunted house can head downtown to the Nightmare Chamber, which has scheduled walk-through nights from October 16 through Halloween.
However you like to celebrate the season, Country Willows is a peaceful place to come home to after a day of Rogue Valley adventures.
