LIST: Fall festivals coming to Virginia State Parks

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Fall is nearly upon us, and Virginia State Parks are hosting fall events to ring in the season.

The following festivities will be held throughout parks in Central Virginia from late September through November:

Pawpaw Festival

The festival will be Central Virginia’s second annual Pawpaw Festival, and will celebrate the largest native fruit in the U.S.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Powhatan State Park , attendees can expect to enjoy local vendors offering food and brews, as well as unique crafts, live music performances, animal encounters and ranger-led programs.

Special event parking and admission will be $20 per vehicle, while annual pass holders will only need to pay $10 per vehicle, according to organizers.

Pawpaws have a custardy texture and are described as tasting like a cross between a mango and a banana.

For more information about the Pawpaw Festival, click here .

Twin Lakes Fall Festival

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Twin Lakes State Park , attendees can participate in family-friendly activities like pumpkin decorating, a hayride, a scarecrow stuffing competition, meet animal ambassadors and a craft show.

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Pumpkins will also be available for purchase from Friends of Twin Lakes State Park, a nonprofit organization.

The winner of the scarecrow stuffing contest will receive a Virginia State Parks gift certificate.

Folks who attend can either pay the standard parking fee or donate two non-perishable canned goods to enter.

In the event of rain, the festival will instead be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.

For more information about the fall festival, click here .

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat will be held at Holliday State Park from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, just a few days before Halloween.

The event is free and family-friendly. Attendees can enjoy trick-or-treating from decorated car trunks sponsored by the park’s community partners, as well as games and other surprises.

Visitors are encouraged to wear their costumes.

For free park admission, attendees can bring a non-perishable food or toiletry item to help support local food pantries.

For more information about Trunk or Treat, click here .

Veteran’s Day Luminary

From 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park , the 16th annual Veteran’s Day Luminary will be held, which will include a commemorative trail illumination.

Four tours will be offered during the day. Visitors with young children, pets or mobility requirements are encouraged to attend the first tour beginning at 6 p.m. The next tours will begin at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Visitors are asked to meet at the park Visitor Center before being led on their tour.

The event will honor all those who have served in the military, both past and present.

“At dusk, rangers will lead the groups of visitors down an illuminated path where historical vignettes will be recreated by historians describing the scenes from the battles of Sailor’s Creek and its immediate aftermath,” said the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Anyone who would like to honor a veteran by having their name, branch of service and rank placed on a luminary can contact sailorscreek@dcr.virginia.gov.

The event is free to attend.

For more information about the luminary, click here .

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