The Fall Season

by Liz Zarikyan

     Did you know catching a falling leaf is said to be good luck? Fall is a season full of comforting traditions and overall nostalgic feelings. In the Northern Hemisphere, fall occurs during the months of September, October, and November. The start of the fall season is officially declared on the Autumnal Equinox, when the sun’s position is directly over the Earth’s equator, creating equal amounts of daylight and nighttime hours. This date falls on September 22nd or September 23rd. Fall continues until the Winter Solstice, which occurs annually on December 21 or 22. 

   

   Fall is also known as autumn and the harvest season. Fall is often called the harvest season as this is when many crops became ripe and farmers found that it more beneficial to harvest these crops in the cooler months after summer ended. The word autumn comes from the Latin word “autumnus”, which means “the passing of the year” and describes the position of the season in the annual calendar. Finally, the word fall is short for “fall of the leaf” since deciduous trees tend to lose their leaves in September and October, which allows trees to expend less energy through the harsh winter months and conserve moisture within the trunk.

     

 

 

    There many popular themed events that occur during this time. These include amusement parks with dedicated displays for the spooky Halloween season. Six Flags has an event known as Fright Fest, where you can enjoy the thrill of rides during the day before experiencing their frightening night attractions, which includes scare zones, live entertainment, roller coasters, and more. If you’re looking for something more family related, they offer family-friendly events and food during the day. Knotts Scary Farm and Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights offer similar experiences, so you can pick and choose from your favorite amusement park.

     If you’re looking for something slower-paced, try the Electric Dusk Drive-In in Glendale, where you can experience horror-themed movies in the comfort of your own car. Info: https://www.electricduskdrivein.com/ If you’re a fan of artifacts from the San Fernando Valley, visit the Valley Relics Museum where they offer a Halloween open air museum every Saturday and Sunday: https://valleyrelicsmuseum.org/. Or maybe you’d prefer an outdoor area with stunning scenery. This is exactly what Lavender Nights offers. 123 Farm in Cherry Valley transforms into a lit-up lavender farm containing over 30,000 lights. Experience the romance of the night while you stroll through their gardens, enjoy food and live music, and much more now through October 29th, Thursday – Monday from 5-10pm. https://www.123farm.com/lavendernights 

However you celebrate, have a Happy Fall!