Signs of fall: September foodie events include harvest fests and cider pressings

Fall is trickling in, with cooler temps, the first major rainfall in months and the promise of apple orchards, cozy festivals and a few chili cook-offs. 

Here is Lookout’s September foodie lineup — events that will keep you busy all month long. Be warned: Several events listed here fall on the same day (we’re looking at you, Sept. 12), so plan accordingly. 

Whiteaker Golden Hour Night Market 
4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 
Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza, 85 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene

It’s the last Golden Hour Night Market of the year. The lively evening marketplace boasts live music, food vendors, free indoor skating with Eugene Roller Village and artists and other small businesses.

Fiesta Cultural
5:30 to 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4
Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza, 85 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene

Fiesta Cultural kicks off its 12th year during the First Friday ArtWalk, held at the Farmers Market Pavilion. The event celebrates cultures and heritages from across Latin America. Enjoy live music, dance performances, a multicultural artisan marketplace, a family zone with kid-friendly activities, local food carts and craft beer by Xicha Brewing. 

Rally in the Alley (ahead of Ducks football games)
5:30 p.m. Sept. 4 and Sept. 17
5th Street Market Alley, 296 E. Fifth Ave, Eugene

Rally for your favorite team (the Ducks, duh) this month at 5th Street Market Alley. The night before University of Oregon home games, the downtown Eugene shopping hub will feature Duck specials, a highlights screening and craft beverages.

Cider Pressing and Community Harvest Day
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
Parker Learning Gardens, 31239 Lanes Turn Road, Eugene

Peak apple season is just around the corner, and Parker Learning Gardens is hosting a community harvest and cider pressing day to celebrate. The free, family-friendly event takes you through the full cider pressing process right on a working farm: Grab a bag, pick your fruit, feed the apple grinder, work the press and sample the fresh cider you just made. 

Participants can take home a half-gallon of cider for $8, or add a half-bag of freshly picked fruit for $20. Go on a farm tour ($5 per person or $15 per family) to learn about regenerative agriculture and feed some of the animals.

You must register for this event, including for the free option. Close-toed shoes, long sleeves and ear protection are recommended.

Youth Farm Fest
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
Youth Farm, 34596 Seavey Loop Rd., Eugene

The Youth Farm Fest is celebrating its first season at its new, permanent location just below Mount Pisgah, with an open produce stand, fruit and veggie tastings, farm tours, live music, cider pressing (with free samples), free pick-your-own flower bouquets and kids arts and crafts (who doesn’t love a face painting and making veggie critters and seed mosaics?)

Veneta Harvest Festival
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
Broadway Avenue, downtown Veneta

Veneta is kicking off autumn with its annual Harvest Festival. Enjoy live music, check out the classic car show and quilt show, grab some grub from participating food trucks, and watch the chili cook-off. Get there early for breakfast, which will be held at 8 a.m. at the Fern Ridge Service Center.

The street fair is also a fundraiser for Mid Lane Cares, a nonprofit community center that offers a food pantry, showers, senior meals and other social service programs.

Broadway Avenue in downtown Veneta will be closed to traffic for the festival. The event is free for spectators and $35 to register a vehicle for the cruise.

Down to Earth’s Annual Garlic Fest
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
Down to Earth, 532 Olive St., Eugene

Get ready for one of the most powerful-smelling events of the year. Down to Earth’s Garlic Fest is returning for its 18th year. Choose from 20 garlic seed varieties, taste fresh garlic and garlic blue cheese dip and meet the garlic farmers themselves (they’ll be at the shop from 10 a.m. to noon). Wild Coast Brew will also be sampling its Oregon teas from noon to 2 p.m.

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck returns
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
Valley River Center (near Regal Theaters entrance), 293 Valley River Center, Eugene

Look for the bright pink truck with the red-bowed white cat: The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will stop in Eugene this month during its cross-country tour. The pop-up shop promises “supercute treats and merch, while supplies last.” Get there early: This popular mobile event is known for long lines.

Springfield Block Party
4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
Main Street, downtown Springfield

Walk, shop and eat your way down 12 blocks of downtown Main Street during Springfield’s annual block party. The free event features live music and karaoke, local food trucks, craft beverages, a mechanical bull, face painting and more family-friendly activities.

Organizers expect the annual event, now in its seventh year, to be bigger than ever. Be sure to stop by the Lookout Eugene-Springfield booth. We have a lot of cool things to give away.

Mapleton Fall Festival
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
10650 Highway 126, Mapleton

With a name like Mapleton, a fall festival is a must. This year, enjoy a classic car show, live music, food, face painting, a chili cook-off and vendor goods. Let’s not forget the foam machine inside the kid zone. Mapleton is located along the winding Siuslaw River and surrounded by bigleaf maple trees, the perfect backdrop for fall festivities.

Breakfast at the Bike Bridges
7 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24
Dave and Lynn Frohnmayer Bridge, Eugene

Cyclists and walkers: Enjoy one last free breakfast on your morning commute, as part of the city of Eugene’s monthly Breakfast at the Bike Bridges series. Eugene Transportation will offer a quick bite and coffee while giving path users and commuters the opportunity to meet city staff, learn more about local transportation and receive a bicycle safety check, as well as bike maps, bells and other resources. Breakfast includes bagels, cream cheese, spread, and coffee from Bagel Sphere, Nancy’s Yogurt, Toby’s Family Foods and Palace Coffee.