Things to do in Tri-Cities this fall: Balloon rally, Field of Screams and more
Summer has come to a close, but fall can be just as busy in Tri-Cities.
There’s something to do locally every weekend, from live concerts to Tri-City Americans ice hockey games.
Here are nine can’t-miss festivities in store this fall — from a sunflower festival and a water lantern launch to haunted atttractions and a hot air balloon rally. Most are family-friendly activities.
This list is not exhaustive, and there are plenty of additional events to attend in the coming months.
Sunflower Festival, Fall Festival at Middleton Farms
An autumntime staple in Tri-Cities, Middleton Farms hosts the Sunflower Festival and the Fall Festival.
The farm at 1050 Pasco Kahlotus Road in Pasco kicked off the Sunflower Festival on Sept. 20. The floral celebration runs through Sunday, Sept. 28.
During the Sunflower Festival, you can take pictures in eight acres of flower fields — including sunflowers, zinnias and other flowers — or purchase fresh flowers to take home.
The festival is open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Sunflower Festival admission is $14.95 for weekdays when purchased online, or $18.95 at the gate. On weekends, the cost of admission rises to $18.95 online and $22.95 at the gate.
The Fall Festival, which is held throughout the month of October, features a corn maze, hay ride, pumpkin patch and more.
This year, the corn maze has a Lego theme, complete with giant bricks for kids to build with, according to organizers.
Lego-themed days will be held Oct. 22 through 26, with games and costume contests.
“Our goal every year is to create unforgettable memories for families,” said Mark Middleton, co-owner of Middleton Farms. “This year’s Lego theme combines imagination, hands-on fun, and creative play in a way that we think both kids and parents will absolutely love.”
The festival is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
Admission to the Fall Festival costs $16.95 on Wednesday through Friday and $19.95 on Saturday and Sunday. Seniors age 60 and older get discounted entry, as do military service members.
Heritage Days celebrates history of Snake River
A longstanding celebration, Heritage Days at the Sacajawea Historical State Park is held Thursday, Sept. 25, through Saturday, Sept. 27.
The free event celebrates the history of the Snake-Columbia River confluence and the surrounding communities.
In 2025, the event will feature education through historical reenactment, presentations and demonstrations, hands-on activities and artisans, according to organizers.
You can stop by the park at 2503 Sacajawea Park Road in Pasco between 1 and 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
A Discover Pass will be required for parking. Passes cost $11.50 for the day or $35 for yearlong access to millions of acres of state land.
Saturday’s event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park.
Saturday is National Public Lands Day, so you won’t need a Discover Pass to park on that day.
See Fido at Tri-City Cluster Dog Show
Held at Columbia Park in Kennewick, the free Tri-City Cluster Dog Show includes the Walla Walla and Richland Kennel Clubs.
You can see dogs from Tri-Cities and Walla Walla, learn about different breeds and watch them compete from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Thursday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 28.
Festivities at the park off Highway 240 include vendors, food options, health clinics for dogs and more, plus running courses for participating dogs.
High-flying fun at Great Prosser Balloon Rally
The Great Prosser Balloon Rally features hot air balloon pilots from across the northwestern United States.
Balloon launch at sunrise from the Prosser Airport at 111 Nunn Road each day from Friday, Sept. 26, to Sunday, Sept. 28, weather permitting.
Spectators are encouraged to arrive early, around 6:15 a.m., to watch pilots prepare.
Highlights of the balloon rally include a harvest festival, the Night Glow, a farmers market and a painting festival.
Parking and admission are both free.
Pumpkin patch, corn maze at Country Mercantile Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival at Country Mercantile, 232 Crestloch Road in Pasco, features a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, a carnival and many more festivities for fall.
From Saturday, Sept. 27, to Friday, Oct. 31, families can enjoy limited attractions during the week or visit on weekends for the full experience.
The festival is open 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.
Harvest Festival tickets costs $12.95 on weekdays and $13.95 on weekends. Kids age 2 and younger are free.
Tri-Cities events in October include Field of Screams
Between Oct. 3 and 31, the Red Dot Paintball field is transformed into the Field of Screams, a premier haunt experience.
Featuring more than 15,000 square feet of scares, this year’s Field of Screams features two new haunts — KarnEvil and Reoccurring Nightmares — and a new format alongside its classic zombie thrill ride and outbreak theme.
Now even those who have visited the attraction at 3430 Beardsley Road in Richland multiple times will find new thrills.
The recommended minimum age is 12, according to organizers.
While final prices will depend on the date and time your visit, admission for the full haunt experience starts at $32.95. Individual experiences including the thrill ride and new haunts start at $19.95.
For full haunt experience plus the zombie outbreak thrill ride, tickets are $44.95. VIP tickets cost $78, or $62 without the outbreak ride.
RiverFest highlights hydropower
Columbia Park hosts RiverFest on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Organized by the Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the free, educational event shows the benefits of the Columbia River Power System and the four lower Snake River dams.
RiverFest includes exhibitors, vendors and entertainment including live music from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Light up the night at Tri-Cities Water Lantern Festival
Eventgoers will light up the night with personalized, biodegradable lanterns during the Water Lantern Festival at Columbia Park.
The festival runs from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12, with lantern launches at 6:30 p.m.
Also in store are food trucks, live music, vendors and a scavenger hunt.
Early bird tickets cost $30.99 and are available through Oct. 1. After that date, prices rise to $57.99.
Admission includes festival access, a lantern kit, scavenger hunt entry and a gift pack with card games and a drawstring bag.
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.