Fall Festivities: 7 Grand Forks Fall Events to Put on Your Calendar

Leaves changing colors, a cool breeze in the air, it’s about to be my favorite season of the year – fall! Some of my favorite things about the fall season happen to be the array of festivities and things to do in the Grand Forks area. Get out your calendar and inking up some plans in August and September!

Blocks and blocks of live entertainment, vendors, and food trucks! Every year this festival offers up fun for the whole family. Downtown Forks’ Town Square is transformed into a putt-putt mini golf course. Or stop by Pillsbury park for drone demos and virtual reality games. When you’re done having fun, check out the vendors who come from near and far.

I don’t know about everyone else, but I am ready for some live music and Happy Harry’s Rockin’ Up North Fest delivers the jams. This is the perfect date night to get out of the house and enjoy some country music, do some beer tasting, check out vendor booths, and maybe even enter in a cornhole tournament.

No. This is not a Tina Turner singalong even if it IS the same weekend as Rockin’ Up North Fest. Did you know that Grand Forks is home to an inline skate and cycle marathon? It started 11 years ago as just an inline skate marathon and expanded to add a cycling marathon a couple years ago. Gradually the marathon gained attention from around the nation and now people from all over the U.S. and surrounding countries are traveling to Grand Forks for this race. One of the reasons it is successful is because of the beautiful and smooth Greenway which makes a perfect inline skate and cycle surface. Whether you want to participate in the marathon or ½ marathon, come cheer on the racers or volunteer!

Concerts, beautiful views, and many food and drink options are just what you will find at the Greenway Takeover Fest this September 9-12. The organizers of this event decided to host live music and entertainment along the banks of the Red River, spanning the Greenway in the heart of downtown. It really captures the essence of Grand Forks. Be sure to put this event on the calendar and pack up the crew because this event is family AND pet-friendly!

“Beautiful, Crazy…” I can’t help but let you know that Luke Combs is coming to the Alerus Center September 17th. This is not a drill, I repeat THEE Luke Combs is coming to the Alerus Center. This concert is definitely going to blow the roof off the Alerus Center, for any country fans out there you won’t want to miss this event! Get those cowboy hats and daisy dukes ready!

Did you know that the World’s LARGEST french fry feed is held right in Grand Forks? Every year to kick off the Potato Bowl Celebration, Grand Forks douses a few hundred thousand pounds of french fries in oil and hands them out for free at the French Fry Feed in University Park. And the only way to follow free french fries is by lighting off some fireworks, of course. Heading into the weekend, on Saturday, September 18th head to University Avenue for a parade, followed by tailgating and the actual Potato Bowl. This year you’ll see the UND football team take on Drake University but if you want a history of how it all started, watch this video.

Pumpkin pie spiced everything, leaves changing colors, and sweater weather means my ultimate favorite time of the year is here. It is not too hot and not too cold, the perfect time for a trip to the pumpkin patch. A couple of my favorites happen to be Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch located just north of the Air Force Base, and Patch on the Point which is located just south of East Grand Forks. At both pumpkin patches they have events going on throughout the fall season and day-to-day they have activities such as pumpkins to pick, a corn maze, toys and games, and many photo opportunities.