Fall Family Fun Days begin Saturday, Sept. 22, at The Rock Ranch, and will continue through Saturday, Nov. 10. The Rock Ranch will be open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sept. 22 – Fall Season Grand Opening

Did you know that over 41 million kids participate in youth sports? This year’s corn maze theme is “sports.” The Rock Ranch is proud to partner with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to present an educational, entertaining and interactive corn maze experience designed to teach guests how to strengthen their character and values through sports. There will be games, sports activities and multimedia surprises for those with smart phones. Families will also enjoy family friendly tailgate parties in Truett’s Barn where they’ll watch games on big screens and pull for their favorite college football teams. This date also features The Run, Bike for Bethany charity children’s bicycle ride and adult 25, 50 and 100 mile (on-road) rides. There will also be a 5k run with proceeds benefiting Bethany Christian Services, an organization that specializes in foster and adoptive services.

Sept. 29 - “Lumberjack Day”

Collegiate timber sports teams from University of Georgia, University of Florida and Clemson will compete in exciting events such as the pole chop, pole climb, 2 man cross-cut saw, log chopping, log rolling, log burling in the pond and ax throwing. Guests will enjoy a Chainsaw carving competition with professional carvers. Archery lessons will be provided for the kids and attendees will love tree-top flights down the Cow-A-Bunga zip lines (this week and every Saturday in the fall). This week also features a high school cross country competition and morning 5k run for the public (at 8 a.m.).

Oct. 6- “Georgia’s Official Day of the Cowboy”

Proclaimed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, this event is a tribute to the cowboy way. It offers a wide variety of cowboy and western themed entertainment such as shows by Los Pistoleros, a group of cowboy stunt performers who will rob the train and engage in gun fights. There will be quick draw demonstrations, a large model train display and live country music. Vendors will be selling western wear, real chuck wagons will be cooking chili and beans and a guests will enjoy an amazing wild west show featuring gun shooting and knife throwing. A Hop-A-Long Cassidy look alike will greet the crowds and guests will enjoy participating in the cowboy costume contest. Cash, prizes and trophies will be awarded to those who look the part of “cowboy” or “cowgirl.” Legendary TV Cowboy James Drury “The Virginian” (1962-1971) will be at the event to meet guests and sign autographs. This is the 50th Anniversary of “The Virginian”, televisions 3rd longest running western of all time. Drury appeared in numerous television shows and movies including “The Gambler” and Disney’s “Polyanna” and “Toby Tyler”. The pumpkin patch will be open for families to pick the perfect pumpkin.

October 13 - “Growing Up Green” with Bob and Larry of Veggie Tales

Guests will enjoy taking photos with Veggie Tales characters, Bob and Larry and the Veggie 500 Race, where guests work in teams to build and race cars made of vegetables, will provide unique family fun. Bring blankets and, after dark, enjoy the premier of a brand new Veggie Tales movie (“Larry Boy and the League of Incredible Vegetables”). In conjunction with our FCA corn maze, there will be a Celebrity Wiffle Ball game where the public will challenge World Series champions (Little League, college and MLB). Atlanta Braves legend, Sid Bream, will visit and sign autographs.

October 20 -“The Rock Ranch Hot Air Balloon Rally”

Nearly 20 hot air balloons will participate in competition flights and the Ferrell Gas “balloon glow” after dark. For an additional fee, $5 per child, $10 per adults, guests may ride with balloon pilots that choose to provide tethered rides, as wind and weather permits. The balloons provide a great photo op and with good food, live music and beautiful October weather, this event is an annual favorite.

October 27 - The Rock Ranch “Not So Spooky” Halloween Fest

At 7:30 p.m., families can trick-or-treat at ranch stations including Tiny Town, a 14-building, children’s playhouse village. Experience the corn maze with no lights - flashlights only in the maze from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event provides pumpkin carving and painting, a costume parade, and a costume contest. Pets can dress up, too. This is the only date that pets are allowed in The Rock Ranch. There will be a weird science lab, a professional DJ will provide music, emcee games and host contests and Tommy Johns, a professional magician, will amaze audiences.

November 3 - “Pumpkin Destruction Day”

This signature event allows guests to destroy pumpkins in nearly every way imaginable.Smash unsold pumpkins from The Rock Ranch or bring your own to recycle through fun methods like: The pumpkin cannon, pumpkin bowling, the hammer smash and the 40 ft. lift crane pumpkin drop. Pumpkin bombing airplanes, monster trucks crushing pumpkins (and crushing cars) and a pumpkin pie eating contest are just some of the fun activities. Rides in a professional monster truck will be available for $5 per person. The professional monster trucks participating in this event are Ballistic and Savage. Owned and operated by Mac Plecker and known as The Extreme Team, these trucks have competed with famous competitors including Big Foot and Grave Digger. Click here to view a short video of Ballistic in competition.

November 10 - “The Great Outdoor Adventure”

Meet members of the animal kingdom up close and personal. Kids can take photos with special guest, Curious George, the popular character from the PBS cartoon. There will be an insect education lab, an observational bee hive, a live cow milking demonstration, a Georgia wildlife station, and awesome reptile shows by Jason Clark of Animal Planet. Birds-of-prey programs featuring owls, falcons and more will entertain onlookers and they’ll also enjoy outdoor activities like canoe races, archery, a photo scavenger hunt and a laser-shoot hunting simulator provided by DNR

The Rock Ranch is open each Saturday from Sept. 22 to Nov. 10, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission is $15. Children 3 and under are free. Everyday is military appreciation day, as admission is half price with a military ID. On September 22nd, all public, private or home school teachers with a valid school ID or proof of home school status receive half price admission for up to 4 guests. Discount coupons are available at Chick-fil-A locations.