David Frerichs of Frerichs Farm slides a massive pumpkin onto its pedestal before the final weigh-in at last year’s Annual Rhode Island & Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers’ Contest at the Warren farm. This year’s contest is Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event includes music, food, activities and demonstrations.

The Providence Journal / Bob Thayer

If you like festivals, then fall is your season.

Oh, sure, summer has its music fests, its carnivals and fairs. But the arrival of the first crisp air of fall seems to bring on a superabundance of such outdoor events — perhaps because we want to make the most of weather that we know won’t last. Plus, it’s harvest time, a traditional time for celebrating.

Around here, fall harvest means pumpkins: Pumpkins, pumpkins, and pumpkins. And along with pumpkins comes Halloween — another reason for celebrating, with haunted houses for kids, pumpkin-patch hayrides, pumpkin-carving contests, costume parties and more.

Then there’s the phenomenon called Oktoberfest — a German festival that’s actually celebrated from now to the first Sunday in October. What is it? you may ask. According to Answers.com: “An autumn festival that usually emphasizes merrymaking and the consumption of beer.”

Herewith we offer a compendium of fall things to do, including Oktoberfests, fairs, festivals, Halloween events and more.

Need more reasons to get outside and enjoy the weather while it lasts?