Column by Thomas Scearce
As students, it’s common to feel trapped on campus with nothing to do, a phenomenon commonly referred to as ‘The Drake Bubble.’
With fall break quickly approaching, most will find some solace from the bubble.
But since fall break is only for a few days, here are some events happening in Des Moines this fall that will keep you off campus and having fun.
Living History Farms Off-Road Race:
This event puts a whole new meaning to “getting down and dirty.”
The 35th annual Living History Farms Off-Road Race is just that: an off-road race through the vast farmland of Iowa. You will be challenged as you trek through creeks, climb to the top of gullies, run through mud and dodge farm animals with approximately 7,500 other runners for seven miles.
After the race, stick around for the “Outdoors in November” lunch with games, door prizes and an award ceremony. The race will be held at 9 a.m. on Nov. 23.
The Haunted Barn
Forget about a haunted house.
Each year, Ankeny hosts “The Haunted Barn,” and each year it gets bigger, better and bloodier.
Here, you will have to make your way through countless dark corridors and mazes while having to dodge things like blood, clowns and even real snakes with terrifying sounds in the background.
Think you can handle it? The Haunted Barn is open the weekends of Oct. 11-13 and 18-20, and the week of Oct. 25-31, as well as Nov. 1-2.
It is open Friday through Sunday 8 p.m. to midnight and on other days it is open from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. General admission is $15.
Downtown Farmer’s Market:
Every Saturday from now until Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to noon you can go support local agriculture at The Des Moines Farmer’s Market.
Nearly 300 vendors from 51 counties across Iowa offer fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers, cheese, wine, baked goods and so much more.
The Farmers Market also boasts various entertainers and special market programs. It was rated as one of the top-10 Farmer’s Markets in the U.S by The Huffington Post in 2012.
Howell’s Pumpkin Patch
Fall colors reach their full glory at Howell’s pumpkin patch, located just 25 miles south of Des Moines in Cumming, Iowa.
It truly is a magical experience amid pumpkins, decorative squash, huge corn stalks, antique farm machinery and more.
Take a ride on antique tractors out to the corn maze while enjoying the scenery and some hot apple cider, or pick some pumpkins to carve. Make your way out to the Friendly Barn Yard to see some live farm animals.
General admission is $8 and Howell’s is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Scearce is a first-year news-Internet major and can be reached at thomas.scearce@drake.edu
