The blue skies of early October make an ideal background for changing leaves and outdoor events. For those who like the colors of the season, this weekend should be perfect pumpkin-picking weather. Local pumpkin patches open this weekend:
• Bi-Zi Farms, 9504 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today and Sunday. 360-574-9119 or bizifarms.com
• La Center Farms, 31215 N.E. 40th Ave., La Center; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. 360-573-8965 or lacenterfarms.com
• Pomeroy Farm, 20902 N.E. Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 360-686-3537 or pomeroyfarm.org
• Velvet Acres Gardens, 18905 N.E. 83rd St., Vancouver; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. 360-892-0434 or www.vancouverpumpkinpatch.com
• Walton Farms, 1617 N.E. 267th Ave., Camas; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday. 360-834-2810 or waltonsfarms.com
For that autumn scent, the Old Apple Tree Festival will be saturated with the smell of pressed cider from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Old Apple Tree, 112 Columbia Way, Vancouver. Bring your own apples and a container to make your own take-home cider.
The sounds of geese and banjos makes Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge the place to be, as the 15th annual Birdfest and Bluegrass celebrates with a variety of guided hikes, bird spotting and bluegrass concerts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday. It’s $3 per vehicle to enter the refuge, 1071 South Hillhurst Road; and $12 for the concerts at the Old Liberty Theater, 115 North Main Ave., Ridgefield. 360-887-4106 or ridgefieldfriends.org/birdfest
October is also ripe with fun runs, with a quick look ahead for your next weekend.
Test out your Halloween costume ideas during the Super Hero Fun Run, Oct. 11 at Wy’east Middle School, 1112 S.E. 136th Ave., Vancouver. Become your favorite superhero, from Batman to a fireman, for this fun 5K course. It’s $20, $10 for kids, free for ages 9 and younger. Call 360-487-8311 or visit cityofvancouver.us/parksrec
The Mud Factor 5K Obstacle Run will be dirty fun Oct. 11 at the Washougal MX track, 40205 N.E. Borin Road, Washougal. It even encourages muddy children with a kids’ run for ages 4 to 13. Registration is $40 to $80, $25 to $40 for children, closing Oct. 8. Visit mudfactor.com
Bring out the pink tulle and running shoes for the eighth annual Girlfriends Run for a Cure on Oct. 12. Featuring quarter- and half-marathon routes to benefit breast cancer research, starting from Northwest Personal Training, 1011 Broadway, Vancouver. Registration is $80. Call 360-574-7292 or visit nwpersonaltraining.com
For those who like extra running encouragement, the Zombie Fest Run 2 Survive 5K will pit survivors versus zombies Oct. 18, with proceeds benefiting the Evergreen School District Foundation. The event includes a “Little Zombie Run” for ages 3 to 12 at Blue Lake Park, 20500 N.E. Marine Drive, Fairview, Ore. Registration is $40 to $50; $7 to $10 for children’s run. Visit energyevents.com
