Fall is my favorite season in Centre County, and I make no apologies for it. Football’s back, with all that comes with it: tailgating, grilling, seismic cheering at Beaver Stadium. Apples and pears and a beautiful array of root vegetables flood our farm markets in a final burst of harvest abundance. Sweaters and vests come out of storage as sweaty Summer slides into frosty Fall.

One of the best parts of Fall is the celebratory drinking. Harvest is a natural time for reveling in the bounty of the earth, and that’s where our favorite drinks come from, from the grains of the field, the fruits of the vine and branch. When we can enjoy them at the warmth of a tailgate, or with a song, or a banquet of great food, around an outdoor fire in the glory of autumnal color, so much the better.

Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery offers a rare opportunity to actually participate in the harvest; volunteers can go out in the vineyard and pick the ripe bunches of grapes! (No foot-stomping, though...) The timing changes every year, so you'll have to get in touch with the winery or keep a close watch on their social media pages to get your chance.

If you're looking for something a bit less...energetic, Fall is a great time for vineyard and winery tours at Happy Valley, because there's something going on everywhere. That means that even the tour guides are busy, so call or message to ask about reservations; it's worth the call.

You'll also want to stop by on Friday evenings for live music, from 6 to 8 o'clock. Try the new dry red they just released!

Slide on over to Route 45 to have more fun. The 814 Cider Works sits up on the ridge overlooking the valley there, and the view as the leaves turn is spectacular. Fall makes their big firepits even more inviting, and you can rent/reserve one for a three-hour stretch on their website.

While you're enjoying the range of ciders 814 offers — juicy and fun, dry and rewarding — you can grab a snack or a meal from the food trucks that are there every weekend. BBQ by Clem is a favorite, and the barbecue is so good with cider. There is live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in September and October, with favorite local bands like Ted & Molly, Biscuit Jam, and the Corner Boys.

University Wine Company is right on the same road, and offers the same great outdoors view, but also has indoor views. There is a rotating display of local artworks in the main hall of the winery, along with the wines and snacks. University Wine has exceptional sparkling wines that pair well with the charcuterie on offer; it's a natural combination for a Fall afternoon.

Thursday nights mean pizza and live music; Friday nights bring a variety of food trucks and more live bands. There's Sunday brunch of the first Sunday of the month, with the food provided by the incredible Cake Shop by Tati (in Pleasant Gap, if you want more). You'll want to check their website/social media for schedules, or better yet, sign up for their newsletter. While you're there...they offer regular workshops on charcuterie and flower arrangement (with wine!), so see how that fits in your calendar.

There are two Oktoberfests in Happy Valley! Elk Creek Cafe throws one out in Millheim on September 30, when they release their annual Oktoberfest beer. There's German music, German food, and lots of fun people to talk to, starting at noon. The fest benefits the Millheim Fire Company, a nice local touch. The Oktoberfest beer will be on through October at Elk Creek, and of course, you know you can always find great live music there; check their website for bands and times, and Sunday brunch schedules (I love that breakfast burrito).

Then Axemann, just outside of Bellefonte, throws their Oktoberfest only two days later, on Monday, October 2nd from 5-10 pm. You can get tickets in advance or at the door. The Bavarian Stompers are back playing oompah music, and there are Feats of Strength, too: a stein-holding competition!

There are other Fall events at Axemann that you'll want to check for on their Facebook page. There's live music on Friday nights before Penn State home games, and tailgates during away games. I'm looking forward to the German Kölsch Night when they emulate the special feel of a Cologne beer hall.

Ah, Fall. I love it. And if you just want to enjoy that crisp weather and a view of the turning leaves with a cold mug in your hands and friends around, stop by Boal City Brewing, the new brewery across from the Military Museum in Boalsburg. Their outdoor seating is uniquely beautiful, and the beer is worth the trip. Cheers!