FRENCH LICK, Ind. September 2024 - With cooler temperatures and vibrant Autumn colors, fall is a perfect time to plan a weekend family getaway or romantic couple's escape to the resort community of French Lick West Baden and neighboring towns of Paoli and Orleans. This season travelers can enjoy a variety of fall-inspired events, home-town festivals and more in Southern Indiana. From dazzling safari light displays and fall foliage wine cruises to traditional pumpkin festivals and outdoor concerts, there's something for all ages to enjoy throughout the season.
Below are a few of the upcoming events taking place this fall. For a complete listing of events, visit, www.VisitFrenchLickWestBaden.com.
CASTLE KNOLL INAUGURAL CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES
Castle Knoll Amphitheater Unveils September Concert Series
Castle Knoll Amphitheater is continuing its inaugural season with two upcoming September shows, Steve Earle - Home Again Solo & Acoustic Tour and Hairball with Super Bee.
Steve Earle - Alone Again Solo & Acoustic Tour
Saturday, September 7, 7 p.m. show starts (5:30 p.m. doors open)
Steve Earle, one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation, will treat fans to a solo and acoustic performance. A protege of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, Earle has become a master storyteller in his own right, with songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and others. His 1986 record, Guitar Town, topped the country charts and is now regarded as a classic of the Americana genre. Subsequent releases like The Revolution Starts...Now (2004), Washington Square Serenade (2007), and TOWNES (2009) earned him consecutive GRAMMY® Awards. Earle was recently inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Tickets start at $29.50. For tickets and more information, visit, https://www.castleknollfarms.com/shows.
Hairball with Super Bee
Friday, September 27, 7 p.m. show start (5:30 p.m. doors open)
Hairball is a Rock & Roll concertgoers won't soon forget. With lights, sound, smoke, fire, bombs, and screaming fans, calling it a concert is an understatement. The band members, HBK on the electric bass, Billy on the drums, and Happy on the lead guitar, pride themselves on nailing some of the most memorable licks and chops of all time while adding their own style and flare. Celebrating their 24th year, Hairball continues to wow audiences with more characters, pyrotechnics, lights, sounds and surprises. Tickets start at $24.50. To purchase or for more information, visit, https://www.castleknollfarms.com/shows.
The Amphitheater is located at 4809 US Hwy 150 in Paoli. To stay up to date on upcoming Castle Knoll concerts and shows, visit, ckamp.com.
FRENCH LICK RESORT NEWS
French Lick Resort Hosts Korn Ferry Tour Championship
Sunday, September 29 through Sunday, October 6
The Korn Ferry Tour Championship is coming to the Pete Dye course at French Lick Resort for the first time, with tour week running September 29 through October 6. Korn Ferry's annual season-ending tournament and the PGA Tour Card Ceremony will be hosted at the course through 2028 as part of a five-year partnership. Founded in 1990 and owned and operated by the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry is the developmental circuit of the PGA Tour. It awards 30 PGA Tour cards based off its points list in 2023, with the No. 1 player earning exemptions into the following year’s Players Championship and U.S. Open. The Pete Dye course at French Lick was named Jemsek National Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association in 2009 and 2017. The course was also No. 19 on the most recent edition of Golf Digest’s ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.
For more information on what's happening at French Lick Resort or to book a stay, visit, https://www.frenchlick.com.
UPCOMING FALL EVENTS
Fall Foliage Wine Cruises
Patoka Lake Marina
Saturdays, September 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturdays, October 5,12 and 19, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Couples in search of a fun afternoon outing can enjoy tasting fine wine while taking in the beautiful fall foliage on Lake Patoka this fall. Spend the afternoon cruising on the custom 60' tour boat sampling wines paired with hors d'oeuvres and desserts from a different local Indiana winery each weekend. Cost: $75 per person, which includes food pairings with 5-7 tastings of wine, 2 full glasses of your favorite and a souvenir wine glass. Reservation required. Call (812) 685-2203. Must be 21 or older with a valid ID to participate. For more information, visit, https://www.patokalakemarina.com/wine-cruises.
Bledsoe Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze
Bledsoe Farms, French Lick
Saturdays and Sundays, September 21 through October 27
Families can get into the spirit of the fall season and make lasting memories at Bledsoe Farms. Located seven miles south of French Lick Resort, the Pumpkin Patch offers a range of activities for the entire family. Start the day with a visit to the extensive home-grown pumpkin patch to select the perfect Jack-o-lantern, soak in the scenic countryside on a hayride, and then navigate your way through the corn maze, for a memorable fall family outing. Additional activities include bounce houses, a jumper pillow, gem mining, mechanical bull rides, horse swings, mega slides, and more. Concessions are available. Cost: $12.99 per person. For more information, visit, https://www.bledsoefarmsin.com.
56th Annual Orange County Pumpkin Festival
Wednesday, October 2 through Sunday, October 6
Town of French Lick
Pumpkin lovers looking for a traditional home-town festival will enjoy Orange County Pumpkin Festival. The five-day festival features, crafts, food, music, amusement rides and even Great Pumpkin parade.
Wilstem Twilight Wagon Tour & Fall Light Show
Friday, October 4 through Saturday, November 2
Experience Wilstem's Twilight Wagon Safari and Fall Light Show. Spend the day aboard the guided wagon tour and experience over 40 different animal species, then pay a special visit to the elephant habitat. Ticket price also includes admission to the Roos and Crew building. At the end of the tour, participants will also view the Fall and Halloween-themed light show, including the new Dinos after Dark feature. See life-sized animated dinosaurs lit up with dazzling colors, fog and sounds, designed to get the adrenaline pumping. Cost: Adults $57, Children (ages 3-12) $51. Families can also opt to drive their own vehicle. To view all ticket and attraction options visit, https://www.wilstem.com/lightshow.
Wilstem Fall Light Show & Dinos After Dark
Friday, October 4 through Saturday, November 2, 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Experience Wilstem's festive fall light show and Dinos after Dark feature from the comfort of your own vehicle. Families can enjoy the fall and Halloween-themed light show and see, life-size animated dinosaurs lit up with dazzling colors, fog and sounds, designed to get the adrenaline pumping. The light show starts at dusk, typically around 8 p.m. and closes at 9:30 p.m. Cost: $39 per vehicle includes light show and dinosaur feature (no animals). For tickets, visit https://www.wilstem.com/lightshow.
Art On the Green
Friday, October 11 through October 13
Town Green French Lick
Grab your gal pals and head to the Town Green in beautiful French Lick for a day of shopping. Find amazing hand-made items from artists and vendors including pottery, fiber arts, jewelry, lapidary, painting, photography, textiles, woodwork and more. For more information, contact (812) 272-1739.
16th Annual Orleans Fall Fun Festival
Saturday, October 12
Orleans Town Square
Enjoy a day surrounded by the beautiful fall colors in historic Congress Square. The Fall Fun Fest includes a 5K run/walk, chili cook-off, car show, children's activities, live entertainment, food and more.
About French Lick, West Baden
Visit French Lick West Baden is The Official Tourism Association for French Lick West Baden, Indiana. Nestled in Orange County within Southern Indiana, the beautiful resort community of French Lick West Baden and neighboring towns of Orleans and Paoli have been welcoming guests on unforgettable Indiana getaways for over 100 years. The destination is home to French Lick Resort, which is comprised of two historic hotels, the West Baden Spring Hotel built in 1902 and French Lick Spring Hotel build in 1901. The resort has recently been named "Best Historic Resort" by Historic Hotels of America. It is the perfect destination for guests searching for gracious hospitality, ultimate luxury, and a multitude of opportunities for an indulging vacation experience.
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For additional vacation ideas or more information on French Lick West Baden, please visit visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com or follow @visitfrenchlickwestbaden on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and events.
