With the fall season fully in swing and lower temperatures finally arriving across the country, community rec centers are providing a range of activities and programming for community members.
Here are eight ways the industry is capitalizing on the new season.
1. Fall Festivals
Fall festivals have always been a mainstay of the season for a number of entities in the community, and recreation centers are no different. These events bring people together through seasonal activities, strengthen community connections, and create opportunities for families and friends to enjoy their selves.
For example, the Kenosha YMCA in Wisconsin hosted a full-day Fall Fest on September 26 with outdoor activities, live entertainment, local craft vendors and treats. The event page also lists food trucks, bounce houses and kids’ games as part of the available offerings.
2. Trunk-or-Treats
After COVID-19 momentarily changed the way people enjoyed Halloween, found trunk-or-treat have retained their popularity. The Westside Family YMCA and the Northwest Family branches of the YMCA of Greater Rochester are running this offering on October 17. Attendees are asked to wear their favorite costumes while enjoying a safe and festive trunk-or-treat, Halloween-themed games and the chance to capture memories in the Y’s festive photo area. This not-so-scary event is ideal for all ages and is a great way to celebrate Halloween together in a welcoming environment.
3. Sukkot Celebrations
Many JCCs are embracing Sukkot — the week-long Jewish festival held during autumn each year — and are providing fun activities for the community. JCC Chicago Early Childhood hosted “Pizza in the Hut” on September 29 and September 30, allowing families to shake the lulav, smell the etrog, eat pizza and do arts and crafts for $25. Mandel JCC in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has previously hosted a New England-style fall festival with field games, a scavenger hunt, hayrides, horseback riding and stories in the Sukkah.
4. Halloween-Themed Fun Runs
The Bear-Glasgow YMCA in Newark, Delaware, held a Pumpkin Dash 5K on October 3. Runners received a race shirt and pumpkin crafts, and there was also a free 1K for kids. Elsewhere in Florida, the YMCA of Collier County’s 5K on October 24 will be held on Marco Island. Following the race is the Y’s annual Open House and Boo-tacular, featuring a new costume contest for runners.
5. Floating Pumpkin Patch
In a very creative spin on the popular fall activity, the Northwest Family YMCA branch of the Greater Austin YMCA in Austin, Texas, will have a floating pumpkin patch in the Y’s pool. Scheduled for October 9, the annual fundraiser sends pumpkins floating on the pool and participants swim out, choose one and decorate it afterward. Registration includes one pumpkin, open swim time and decorating supplies, with proceeds supporting the Greater Austin YMCA.
6. Getaway Weekends
Take advantage of the beautiful fall scenery of the changing leaves and create getaway weekends into nature for your community. For example, the Gateway Region YMCA is offering two weekends in October for the Y’s annual Pumpkin Fest at the YMCA Trout Lodge. Participants can plan a getaway filled with pumpkin-themed fun and plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks. As part of the event, they can visit the pumpkin patch, sip apple cider, race pumpkins, get creative with fall crafts, gather around the campfire and more.
7. Fall Theater
JCC of Greater Columbus in Ohio is hosting a production of “Little Shop of Horrors” in its Roth/Resler Theater. The play runs from October 10 to 25, with tickets being $35. This provides a more mature entertainment Halloween option for older members of the community.
8. Turkey Trots
As fall nears a close, many rec centers take advantage of Thanksgiving by offering Turkey Trots the morning of the holiday. In recent years, Thanksgiving has grown to be one of the biggest running days of the year in the U.S. While reasons vary, many participants run in preparation for the food they’ll consume later that day, while others do it to raise money for charities.
The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, the Tuscarawas County YMCA and the YMCA of Forth Worth are just a few centers who will be hosting such races for their communities on the holiday.
