You can’t escape them this time of year…and why would you want to? We scoured the area for ways to celebrate our favorite fall gourd from pumpkin-flavored goodies to a pumpkin festival and everything in between.

PUMPKIN SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE

Image: Pexels

Of course, you could go to a well-known coffee chain for your Pumpkin Spice Latte, but The Fainting Goat (Spring Hill & Franklin) makes their version with real pumpkin and no syrups. Can you taste the difference? Try it and see! How about pairing it with croissant-style Pumpkin Spice Latte-flavored Hundred Layer Donuts, hand-crafted fresh every day at Five Daughters Bakery (multiple locations). Then head on over to Sweethaven (Franklin) for their award-winning combination of pumpkin ice cream and ginger snap cookies. If you prefer your pumpkin in pie form, bake your own with Loveless Café’s Pumpkin Butter Pie recipe or head over to their Nashville location and see if you can get a piece before it sells out. Hungry yet?

PUMPKINFEST

Image: Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN

It’s a full day of celebration featuring fall-flavored food and drinks, live music, costume contests (for people and pets), fabulous wares from artisans and craftspeople, fun activities and so much more. Come to Franklin’s Main Street and join in the fun on Saturday, October 26 from 10 AM – 6 PM. Details here.

PUMPKIN PATCHES

Image: Pixabay

There’s nothing like heading to a pumpkin patch to choose the perfect pumpkin. It’s fun for kids and adults alike, especially when locations include activities and snacks. Pumpkin patches abound, so it helps that our friends at TennesseeFamilyVacation.com made a list of the Top 10 MIDDLE Tennessee Pumpkin Farms & Corn Mazes. Happy hunting!

PUMPKIN KING ON THE BIG SCREEN

Image: The Franklin Theatre

Remember Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s pumpkin king, who discovered Christmastown and hatched a plan to take over Christmas? Re-live the fun at A Movie Gang Halloween Party: The Nightmare Before Christmas at The Franklin Theatre on October 27 (showings at 4 PM and 7 PM). Tickets and info here.

PUMPKIN DÉCOR

Image: Olga Simonova

Pumpkins are kind of like potato chips: you can’t have just one. Well, you can, but why stop at one when there are so many beautiful varieties and so many ways to use them? Around these parts it seems that nobody knows how to decorate better than Southern Living, so it’s handy that they rounded up the 36 Best Pumpkin Decor Ideas To Try This Fall. Happy decorating!

However you choose to celebrate pumpkins, we wish you all the best this season. Happy Fall, y’all!