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Fall Festival:

Pumpkins, Pups, and Pure Small-Town Fun

The Lake of the Woods Fall Festival takes place in October at Sweetbriar Park (110 Sweetbriar Park Rd, Locust Grove). Expect local artisans, food trucks, a kids' costume contest, a jack-o'-lantern contest, and a community art project with the LOWA Arts Club. Admission details and contest times are available through the community calendar.

 

Fall has arrived at Lake of the Woods, and it brought snacks. In October, Sweetbriar Park transforms into the heart of autumn — think local vendors, food trucks, and enough community spirit to get even the most committed homebody off the couch. Whether you're here for the artisan booths, the costume contest, or to judge other people's jack-o'-lanterns, the Fall Festival delivers a day built for connection, color, and friendly competition.

 

Fall Festival

Costume Categories

  • Best Overall Costume

  • Funniest Costume

  • Best Spooky Costume

  • Best Pet & Human Costume

  • ​Most Creative Costume

Parade Schedule

  • Registration & Check-In Opens

  • Participants Report to Staging Area

  • Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade Begins 

Following the Parade | Judging, Awards, & Prizes 
 

Parade Guidelines

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants, please review the following guidelines before attending:

  • Proof of rabies, distemper, and kennel cough vaccinations are required for all pets.

  • Pets must be leashed or safely secured at all times. Please avoid using retractable leashes during the parade.

  • Pets should be comfortable around people, children, other animals, and event activity.

  • Costumes must not restrict your pet's movement, breathing, vision, or hearing in any way.

  • Owners are responsible for their pets at all times and must clean up after them.

  • Please maintain a safe distance between animals throughout the event.

  • Pets displaying aggressive or unsafe behavior may be asked to leave the parade area.

Presented by LOWA Arts Club

Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon of creativity at the Sweetbriar Pavilion duringthe Fall Festival ! Drop in between 11 AM and 2 PM to unleash your inner artist and take home your very own fall-inspired masterpiece.

Choose from two exciting projects:

  • Mini Canvas – Let your imagination run wild and paint your own mini masterpiece!

  • Thumbprint Birds – Transform your thumbprint into a flock of colorful, one-of-a-kind birds!

 

All supplies and instruction are provided — just bring yourself and your creativity! Open to all LOWA residents and their guests. Best of all? It's completely FREE!

Open to LOWA residents and their guests — and the best part? It's completely FREE to enter!

Make sure your little ones check in before the contest kicks off. Whether their costume is a creative homemade masterpiece or a store-bought showstopper, all are welcome!

Costume Categories

🏆 Best Overall Costume
😂 Funniest Costume
👻 Best Spooky Costume
🎨 Most Creative Costume
✂️ Best Homemade Costume

Contest Guidelines

  • Keep it family-friendly and appropriate for a community event.
    Costumes must allow participants to move and see safely — safety first!

    Props are welcome, but must be safe and appropriate for all ages.

  • Realistic weapons or potentially dangerous accessories are not permitted.
  • Children must stay with a parent or responsible adult before and after the contest.
  • Participants must follow directions from event staff during staging and judging.

Think you've got what it takes to carve the ultimate pumpkin?

Put your skills to the test at the Jack-O'-Lantern Contest — one of the most beloved highlights of the Lake of the Woods Fall Festival! Free to enter and open to all ages, this is a fun-filled experience the whole family will love. Stick around after the contest for the awards ceremony, where prizes will be handed out to our top carvers!

How to Participate

  • Open to all LOWA residents and their guests — everyone is welcome!

  • Drop off your entry between 10 AM and 12:30 PM.

  • One entry per participant or family.

  • Best of all? It's completely free to enter!

Contest Categories

Think you can take home the crown? Entries will be judged across five exciting categories:

  • Best Overall

  • Funniest

  • Spookiest

  • Most Creative

  • Best Fall-Themed

Contest Schedule

  • 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Entry Drop-Off & Check-In

  • 1:00 PM — Judging Begins

  • Immediately Following — Winners Announced & Prizes Presented

Contest Guidelines

To keep things fair and fun for everyone, please keep the following in mind:

  • Entries must be completed before arriving at the festival.

  • Pumpkins may be carved, painted, or otherwise decorated — get creative!

  • Entries should be primarily created by the individual or family submitting them.

  • All designs must be family-friendly and appropriate for a community event.

  • No open flames — battery-operated lights only, please.

  • All entries must be picked up by 4:00 PM.

Roll, Toss, and Play:
Meet the LOWA Bocce Ball Club for a Fun Introduction to the Game!

Ever wanted to try bocce but didn't know where to start? Watch a live demonstration led by our experienced members, learn the basics, and then take a shot yourself! Whether you're a first-timer or just looking to sharpen your skills, this is your chance to get in on the fun, meet some great people, and enjoy a classic game in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Come give it a go — you might just surprise yourself!

ARTISANS & LOCAL VENDORS

Forget the mall — this fall, your shopping list gets a serious upgrade. The Lake of the Woods Fall Festival is bringing in a lineup of talented local artisans and vendors, with handmade goods, unique finds, and gifts you won't find anywhere else Whether you're hunting for something special, supporting a neighbor's small business, or just enjoying a good wander through booths full of good stuff, this is the place to be. Browse. Buy. Support local. Repeat as needed. See you there!

GAMES & ACTIVITIES

Think you're too old for a three-legged race? Think again. The Lake of the Woods Fall Festival has games and activities for every age — from kids chasing bubbles to the "I'll just watch" crowd who always ends up playing cornhole anyway. Here's the lineup: 🎯 Classic lawn games for friendly rivalries 🎨 Hands-on activities for the little ones 🏆 A few surprises that might bring out your competitive side No skill required. Just bring your sense of humor and a water bottle — the autumn sun is no joke. Grab your neighbors, round up the grandkids, and come find out who's really the cornhole champion of Lake of the Woods. See you there!

FOOD TRUCKS

Let's be honest: the best part of any festival is the food, and we're not about to break tradition. 🎪🍔 The Lake of the Woods Fall Festival is rolling out a seriously good lineup of food trucks this year — think savory, sweet, and everything in between. Whether you're fueling up for the kids' activities, the live entertainment, or just the general chaos of a good community festival, we've got you covered. Come hungry. Come often. These trucks won't judge you for going back for seconds (or thirds). See you there!

2026 Fall Festival

OCTOBER 3 2026

A little rain couldn't dampen the fun! Despite being moved indoors, the 2026 Fall Festival was a huge success. Residents came out in full force to celebrate the season with a bang.