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The sights, sounds and tastes of fall

The leaves have finally started to change colors in the Upper Ohio Valley, and we’ve even had a few “jacket” days in the last week.

The pumpkins are coming out and the autumnal decorations are being put up in front of houses and businesses.

There are various celebrations in our area this time of year, and it’s always a great opportunity to get out into our communities before the weather gets too cold.

The New Cumberland Fall River Fest was last weekend. This weekend is the 40th annual Wellsburg Applefest.

In one week, crowds will gather in Follansbee for Christmas in the Park. There also will be the Red Hot in Hancock Chili Cookoff set for the Weirton Event Center.

Then, on Oct. 20, the inaugural Gate 5 Industrial Arts Festival will take place in Weirton.

All of our events have something special, making them unique. They celebrate our communities, our history, our culture.

The Wellsburg Apple Festival has been going strong for 40 years, noting the community’s connection to the Grimes Golden apple and the traveling folk figure of Johnny Appleseed.

Christmas in the Park gives us a little bit of an early holiday celebration, while raising money for area charitable organizations and one special individual.

There will be Christmas music playing throughout Follansbee Park, vendors, food and even a visit from Santa Claus.

Red Hot in Hancock has been growing over the last few years, attracting competitors from the Ohio Valley and beyond.

It’s interesting to walk through the event grounds, looking at the decorated tables and smelling the various types of chili as they cook.

The Gate 5 Industrial Arts Festival is something new for our area. Imagined as a celebration of our area’s manufacturing base, there are plans to connect with the valley’s history with steel, pottery, glass and other industries.

There are many activities planned, with everything from the Tin Man 5K, to a live metal sculpting, to crafters using various industrial materials, to a puzzle hunt, a fashion show and more.

It should be an interesting experience, and I hope our residents take time to check it out.

In the meantime, before the temperatures start to drop too much, we should all take an opportunity to go for a drive or a walk, check out the fall colors and enjoy the outdoors while we can.

Spend some time with our families and friends, grab something pumpkin flavored, or made with apples and take a trip through our local communities.

There are many ways for each of us to enjoy this time of year.

We probably all have some activity we enjoy as the air becomes crisp and the leaves begin to fall to the ground.

Take some time to go for a walk in a local park. Enjoy the scenery.

Break out the sweaters and jackets.

Whatever you enjoy doing, just take the moments you have to do them.

Most importantly, enjoy that time with your friends and family as you check out those amazing sights, sounds and tastes of fall in the Upper Ohio Valley.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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