First Day of Fall Begins Saturday, Sept. 22

This weekend we officially say goodbye to flip-flops and barbecues and hello to boots, jackets and bonfires.

Saturday marks the first day of fall and like it or not, it's time to carve pumpkins, pick apples and watch football.

To help you make your fall plans, Patch has compiled a list of activities coming up in St. Charles County. If we missed something, let us know by adding the information in the comments!

St. Charles Oktoberfest

Celebrate German culture with beer, live music and friends in Frontier Park on Riverside Drive in St. Charles on Friday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Sept. 30. Click here for more information and a schedule.

RSC Fun Fair & Art Expo

Residents of all ages are invited to Renaud Spirit Center’s “RSC Family Fun Fair & Art Expo” on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a day of free exercising, free kids’ activities, live music, food and browsing pieces by local artists at the Art Expo.

St. Peters Rec-Plex Fall Triathlon

Participate in a 500-meter serpentine indoor swim, a 21-mile bicycle ride and 4.8-mile run in the city parks on Sept. 30 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for more information.

O'Fallon Senior Fair

Seniors and family members are invited to the 4th Annual St. Charles County Senior Fair, which will be held from 9 a.m. – noon on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), 100 North Main Street, O’FallonAdmission and parking are free. A key feature of the event will be speakers who will discuss specialty services and seniors’ issues such as home health care, veterans’ benefits, navigating the aging process, non-emergency medical transportation and elder law. The fair includes vendors offering health care services, health screenings and consultations, and refreshments, raffles and prizes. Flu vaccinations will be available for $25; seniors should bring their health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid card.

Bella Arts Fest

On Oct. 13 see artists from across the country at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Event features art demonstrations, wines and cheeses, entertainment, kids' activities and more.

O'Fallon Free Fall Fest Street Dance

Everyone is invited to the Street Dance, which will be held from 5 – 10 p.m. on Oct. 12 on Civic Park Drive, with music by Sunset Amusement and Contagious. Festival food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

O'Fallon Fall Fest 5K

The City's annual 3.1-mile fun run/walk for all ages begins and ends in the City Hall parking lot and includes an awards ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 13. Pre-registration is required. Call 636-379-5606 weekdays or visit http://www.ofallon.mo.us/dept_tourism_FallFest5K.htm for more information or to register.

O'Fallon Fall Fest

On Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., relax to the sounds of great music, enjoy festival food, watch family-style entertainment and shop at vendor’s booths for indie craftwork, shabby chic-style furnishings, original art and photography, house and garden specialties, fall and holiday decorations, jewelry, unique fashion accessories, and pumpkins and flowers. Tours of the O’Fallon Historical Society’s Log Cabin Museum will be available, free (donations are welcome).

Pumpkin Carving Exhibit

Watch artist Marion Nichols create one of her masterpieces and see intricately carved pumpkins on display throughout the historic Heald Home at in Fort Zumwalt, Park, 1001 Jessup Drive, O'Fallon, on Oct. 21 from 1-4 p.m. Call 636-379-5606 for more information.

Ghosts of St.Louis Trip

On Halloween, board the motor coach for a most unusual day trip to St. Louis-area graveyards (“cities of the dead”) and a notorious haunted house. Famous “residents” buried in Bellefontaine, Calvary and Jefferson Barracks cemeteries have storied pasts and secrets to be revealed. The day’s adventure includes lunch at the Lemp Mansion Restaurant & Inn, one of the most haunted sites in America, where legend has it that the deaths in the Lemp family, especially suicides, cause ghostly activities. Call Call 636-474-2732 or 636-379-5606 to register by Sept. 30.

St. Peters Halloween Carnival

Come to St. Peters Rec-Plex South on Oct. 20 from 4-6 p.m. for dinner, games, crafts and more! Wear a family-friendly costume and receive a special treat. The fee is $5 per person in advance or $7 at the door. Register online using Rec-Connect, call 636.939.2386, ext. 1400, or register at the St. Peters Rec-Plex, 5200 Mexico Rd. This event is sponsored by Rob Hamann American Family Insurance Agency.

Halloween Happenings in Wentzville

On Sunday, Oct. 28, Progress Park will be filled with witches, princesses, ghosts, superheros and more when children in costume fill the gymnasium to play games and jump in the bounce houses. Cost is$2 or two canned food items in advance and $4 the day of the event. Registration deadline is one week prior to the start of the program/event or when full, unless otherwise noted.  Call Wentzville Parks and Recreation at 636-332-9236 if you need further information.

Wentzville Halloween Window Decorating Contest

See local businesses get in the halloween spirit downtown with their scary window decorations on Oct. 30. Registration deadline for each program is one week prior to the start of each session ow when full, unless otherwise noted.  For registration contact Wentzville Parks & Recreation at 636-332-9236

St. Charles Symphony Halloween Concert

On Oct. 30 from 7-9 p.m. hear the spooky sounds of the St. Charles Symphony at this free concert. Bring the kids dressed in costumes and they will get a special treat.