By Whitney Farrell
In Amherst there is so much to think about doing during the fall. With leaves changing, temperatures dropping, and holiday excitement in the air, fall is an exciting time for many, with looking forward to time off work and school during the week of Thanksgiving or for the delicious pumpkin flavored treats that come out only for this season. Everybody has something they look forward to during this season!
In every town there is something for everyone, especially during the fall season, and Amherst is no exception. Firstly, we have started the football and hockey season for the UMass Minutemen. On Saturday's home games you can go to the tailgates before the football games and enjoy grilling out with friends or just wandering around meeting new people. And once you are fed and happy from filling up on snacks you can head on down to McGuirk Alumni Stadium to watch the Minutemen kick off. And if football isn't your thing, hockey might be! Hockey season for the Minutemen has just begun. Grab some grub at the Mullins Center concession stand and go back to watch the remainder of the game to watch the team crush their opponents.
While fall sports are a highlight for many, some are just not a fan of watching them. Instead, non-sports fans can enjoy other things, like going to the local farmers market that is held on Amherst Town Common. Multiple vendors come every Saturday from 8am-1:30pm to showcase their businesses. if you are a student and don't want to go into town for a farmers market, then you're in luck! There is a student farmers market held campus on Goodell Lawn every Friday 12pm-4pm. At the student farmers market, you can see hand crafted art, local produce, and more.
And lastly, what a lot of us love is Halloween! You can bring out your inner child and dress up in whatever you want. Halloween is the one day of the year that you can be anything and everything. The families of Amherst take their kids out trick or treating and then late at night the college kids come out. Most people get together with big groups of their friends all dressed up and go to a party. You can see many people all decked out in costumes at the local bars, fraternities, and even just hanging out in apartment complexes with their buddies. There is music, laughter, and good times!
Now with everything that there is to do there are also risks. Safety is a key thing to be aware of while exploring these fall activities. Being aware of your surroundings goes a long way. Another tip is to usually always go with one or two more people. While going alone somewhere can be fun, going alone to a place you're not too sure about can be dangerous, but bringing a friend can make it a bit more comfortable. Having one other person with you can keep you safer than you may think.
And lastly, this tip is for the people that are 21+: if during the fall season you may be drinking it is always a good idea to know where your drink has come from. Don’t take a drink from someone you don’t know, and if you put your drink down out of your sight get a new one. These small choices can help keep you safe from potentially dangerous situations. With all the fall excitement happening this season I hope you all have fun and stay safe!