Life at Hope College

Playing Favorites: Fall Fun

Erin Hoolahan

There are eighteen days until Halloween. Therefore, I am sure you are looking for some autumnal activities to make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside as the temperature gets chilly outside. In no particular order, here are five of my favorite things to do in the fall as a Hope student.

1. Apple Picking

My friend Ashley’s family just takes me in and lets me join them on family apple picking adventures and has us pose for pictures.
Honestly, goats are just adorably hilarious and October makes me happy because I get to see my favorite animal twice.
Me in my happy place

Going apple picking is a thing in my hometown, but not nearly on the level that it is here. Especially at this really cool place called Lewis Farm Market that not only has apple picking, but a dog show, pig races, live music, and a petting zoo complete with a camel named Jeffrey!

2. ArtPrize

Emoh -Loren Naji The artist lived in his sphere during ArtPrize to generate conversation about homelessness.
Birth of a Dream -Robin Protz
Wounded Warrior Dogs -James Mellick
This entry was one of the winners!
The Smoke -Mher Khachatryan Within the smoke are the images of seven struggling women
I apologize for not being able to find the title and artist of this one because it is one of my favorites. The artist actually added onto it based on stories people would tell her during ArtPrize
Restoring the Art of Breastfeeding -Miriel Smith
Embrace -Marc Sijan This one was so realistic it seemed like they could open their eyes at any moment
1 / 8

I will admit that this year was actually the first year I went to see ArtPrize, a huge annual art competition in Grand Rapids. It truly is amazing what people can create with their artistic gifts. The pictures include a few of my favorites of the small portion of the 1,453 total entries that I saw.

3. The Beach

Ashley climbing on some washed up drift wood.
Puffy white clouds and a bright blue sky over lake Michigan.
The waves in Pentwater were huge over fall break!

There is really never a bad time to go for a walk on the beach in Michigan. In the summer you can soak up some sun and go for a swim, in the fall you can add few layers and go for a walk, and in the winter/spring you can bundle up and go check out the frozen waves of Lake Michigan. Good things never get old.

4. Homecoming Hoedown

This is one of my favorite SAC events because you get to pet animals (including my favorite – goats!), go on a hay ride, and drink apple cider with your friends. Plus, you don’t have to dress up for a fancy homecoming dance – jeans and flannels are the attire of the night. There really is no better combination of all things fall.

5. Decorating

Putting up the cobweb stuff was fun until I disturbed an actual, pretty big spider in its web.

My housemates and I love decorating. So putting up cobwebs, caution tape, and a little ghost in the widow was the perfect study break the other day.

I hope you can take the time to enjoy a few of your favorite fall activities until the inevitable winter settles in.

Thanks for reading,
Erin

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