October isn't just for pumpkin patches and haunted houses! Your family won't have time to be bored this fall with all of these October festivals and fairs popping up around the state: Take a trip through time at a heritage festival; enjoy live performances at a musical celebration; sample some of the tastiest treats in the state at the Main Street Food Truck Festival; and, of course, you can't miss the annual Arkansas State Fair!

Sept. 26-Oct. 3

Conway ArtsFest in Various Locations in Conway: A celebration of the arts includes film, literature, gallery installation and family fun. Family events include Art in the Park at Simon Park (10 a.m. Oct. 3) and Percussion Petting Zoo at Reynolds Performance Hall (7 p.m. Oct. 2). Visit the website for a complete list of events. For info: ArtsInConway.org.

Oct. 2-3

FestiVille at Dupree Park in Jacksonville: Celebrate fall with a two-day city festival featuring carnival rides, games, live entertainment, Grill in the Ville BBQ Contest, 5K walk/run, paddle boats, concessions, vendor booths, volleyball tournament, car show, K9 demos, petting zoo, kid’s area and much more. Hours: 3-7 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat. For info: (501) 982-4171, CityOfJacksonville.net. FREE!

Oct. 2-4

47th Annual Hot Springs Arts & Crafts Fair at Garland County Fairgrounds in Hot Springs: Don't miss the juried fair, 350 exhibitors, food vendors, pony rides, vendors from many states, and a children's area with a petting zoo and bounce houses! 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri. & Sat.; Noon-5 p.m. Sun. For info: (501) 623-9592, HotSpringsArtsAndCraftsFair.com. FREE!

Oct. 3

5th Annual Main Street Food Truck Festival in Downtown Little Rock: More than 40 food trucks and mobile eateries join in a festive atmosphere on Main Street between 3rd and 8th Streets. Activities include craft vendors, local musicians, street performers, beer gardens, Heifer International children's activities and more! 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For info: (501) 375-0121, MainStreetFoodTrucks.com.

39th Annual Sherwood Fest at Sherwood Forest: This one-day festival includes live music, activities, local vendors, a cutest kid contest, and a totally free Kid Zone filled with bounce houses, crafts and games. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. For info: (501) 833-0476, Facebook.com/SherwoodAR. FREE!

Big Rock Mountain Bike Festival at Cook's Landing: Presented by Subaru of Little Rock, this event includes a kids’ obstacle course, easy trail rides led by experienced mountain bike leaders, a women’s mountain biking clinic, a “bunny-hop” clinic and other games and contests. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For info: (501) 707-5989, ArkansasOutside.com. FREE!

High Cotton on the Bayou Festival at Scott Plantation Settlement: Step back into turn-of-the-century history for a day of family fun. While listening to live music, tour authentic plantation buildings and watch demonstrations of heritage skills such as sorghum making, butter churning, and blacksmithing. Participate in early period games, face painting, and crafts for children. Meet local artists, authors, and vendors of food and farm produce. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For info: (501) 351-0300, ScottConnections.org.

Oct. 7-10

The King Biscuit Blues Festival in Downtown Helena: Blues enthusiasts, as well as historians, from all over the world converge upon Historic Downtown Helena to hear stirring and uplifting performances of this American art form. For info: (870) 572-5223, KingBiscuitFestival.com.

Oct. 9-10

Oktoberfest & StoryFest at Fairfield Bay Conference Center: Fairfield Bay offers two festivals in one weekend! OktoberFest includes German food, motorcycle rally, car show and shine, and arts and crafts. Live music and dancing 7-10 p.m. Fri. & Sat. StoryFest celebrates the rich and diverse art of professional storytelling. Join the festivities 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and dive into all-day storytelling sessions, featuring the talent of Sean Buvala, Minton Sparks and guitarist John Jackson. OktoberFest hours: Noon-10 p.m. Fri. & 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.; the motorcycle rally and show and shine is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. For info: (501) 884-4202, FairfieldBayConferenceCenter.com.

Oct. 9-18

76th Annual Arkansas State Fair at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds: Visitors explore the Agricultural Education Center, gawk at animals from the livestock show, meet zebras, goats, llamas and camels in the petting zoo, watch shows Arctic Olympics High Dive Show and Wall of Death Cycle Show, and cheer during the Show Me Swine Racers. The Midway includes all of your favorite fair foods and more than 50 rides for kids and adults! A special parade to celebrate the fair will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 11 in downtown Little Rock. Grab your office buddies and have lunch at the fair during the week; free admission and parking on weekdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Advance gate ticket prices are $5.99, and $2.99 for children ages 6-12. At the gate: $10; children 6-12 are $5. All concerts are included in the admission ticket. Premium upgraded concert seats are available for $15. Opens 11 a.m. daily. For info: (501) 372-8341, ArkansasStateFair.com.

Oct. 10

7th Annual Conway EcoFest at Laurel Park: Visitors of all ages browse the marketplace of eco-friendly vendors, watch the Cardboard Car Derby, see a butterfly release, participate in interactive activities and hear live music throughout the day. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For info: ConwayEcoFest.com. FREE!

Oct. 10-11 & 17-18

Homestead Festival at Parker Homestead: Tour log buildings, watch broom making and blacksmithing demonstrations, taste the sorghum cooked over a wood fire, enjoy music and more! Festival hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 10 & 17; noon-5 p.m. Oct. 11 & 18. $7. For info: (870) 919-0425, ParkerHomestead.com.

Oct. 17

4th Annual Paws on Pinnacle at Pinnacle Mountain State Park: Celebrate “howl-o-ween” with a festival dedicated to our four-legged friends. Programs include outdoor safety with your dog and an agility course. Dress your pup for a canine costume contest at 3 p.m. All well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For info: (501) 868-5806, www.ArkansasStateParks.com/PinnacleMountain. FREE!

6th Annual Taste of T Street at Miss Selma's School: Enjoy a day of fun, complete with a petting zoo, games, live entertainment, and live and silent auctions. Sample food from one or all of the 30 food booths! Take in live entertainment from the main stage, bid on trips, art, toys and even electronics during the live or silent auctions. The Kid Zone has a petting zoo, face painting, playground and more. The games are free and every child wins candy! For extra fun, enter your dad in the Daddy Dance Off. 2-6 p.m. $15; kids 12 and under are $10. For info: (501) 225-0123, MissSelmasSchool.com.

Celebrate Fall at Garvan Woodland Gardens: At this brand-new event, children ages 12 and under can trick-or-treat in the gardens (costumes encouraged!), climb on the spooky "James the Train," and grab a small pumpkin from the pumpkin patch (free; available to the first 200 children who visit). There will also be a special Treasure Map that encourages youngsters to hunt for "Garvan Rocks" hidden in the gardens. Arrive hungry because the Chipmunk Cafe will be serving fall treats, including caramel apples, pecan cheesecake pie, cranberry apple chicken salad and more. 9 a.m.-Noon. $15, children ages 6-12 $5, children ages 0-5 free; members free. For info: GarvanGardens.org.

Chili Fights in the Heights: Take to the streets of the Heights! Cooking starts at 1:30 p.m. with awards presentation at 6:30 p.m. Come for chili, beer, music, and more. Chili tasting kits are available for purchase for $5. All proceeds benefit the Arkansas Foodbank. 1 p.m. For info: ChiliFights.com.

Fall Festival & Silent Auction at Little Rock Montessori School: Families play games, hop in a jump house, take part in a cake walk, see a clown, and bid in a silent auction (bidding ends at 1 p.m.) Non-scary costumes for children are encouraged! 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $10 per family. For info: (501) 225-2428, LRMontessori.com.

HarvestFest in Hillcrest: Head to Kavanaugh Blvd. in Hillcrest for this day-long event that includes live music, a fashion show, activities for kids (11 a.m.-4 p.m.), street festival and cheese dip contest. Don't miss the bird walk in Allsop Park at 7:30 a.m. and pancake breakfast at Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church from 9-11 a.m. Festival hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. For info: HarvestFest.us. FREE!

Pooches & Pumpkins at The Good Earth Garden Center: Snap family photos in themed areas, bring your pup for a pet costume contest, snack on free hot dogs, and enjoy balloons, face painting, and live music. Kids and pets in costume receive little pumpkins while they last. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For info: (501) 868-4666, TheGoodEarthGarden.com. FREE!

Oct. 18

3rd Annual Biketoberfest at River Market Pavilions: The Little Rock River Market and Recycle Bikes for Kids present this event featuring the Southern BMX Stunt Show, and adult trike race, the Rat Rod Build-off and more. Families can join the Family Fun Ride around downtown at 2 p.m.; those without bikes can rent a ride from Bobby's Bike Hike for a discount. Plus, soft drinks, water and Lost Forty brews will be available, with proceeds benefiting Recycle Bikes for Kids. Noon-4 p.m. For info, click here. FREE!

Oct. 24

Fall Fest at Laman Library in North Little Rock: Wear your costume and enjoy a Halloween carnival! 2 p.m. For info: (501) 758-1720, LamanLibrary.org. FREE!

Kidstock at Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library & Learning Center: Bring your blankets and chairs to this family-friendly music festival. Musical groups include Trout Fishing in America and Big Still River. The fun continues with tree painting, yoga, sack races, bubbles and Purple Cow ice cream. 2-4:30 p.m. For info: (501) 978-3870, CALS.org. FREE!

PopUp in the Rock West 9th St.: PopUp in the Rock aims to demonstrate what’s possible within neglected or car-dominated districts with underdeveloped potential. This year's PopUp will span from the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (MTCC) at Ninth and Broadway to the Dreamland Ballroom at Ninth and State and across the State Street overpass to the campus of Philander Smith. The project will feature a meandering street with the intention of slowing traffic creating a more pedestrian friendly environment, a children’s corner, street musicians and performers, Dreamland Ballroom tours and a PopUp Goodfellas barber shop. Enjoy shopping, local food trucks and treats from Solfood Catering and Brown Sugar Bake Shop, and a Lost Forty beer garden. Local musicians such as Lucious Spiller and the Arkansas Baptist Choir will perform throughout the day. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For info: Facebook.com/PopUpInTheRock. FREE!

Oct. 25

Fall Carnival at St. James United Methodist Church: Kids wear costumes, jump on inflatables and play carnival-style games! 5-7 p.m. For info: (501) 217-6700, StJames-UMC.org. FREE!

Oct. 28

Trunk or Treat and Fall Fest at Chenal Valley Church: Come for a reasonably priced dinner, trunk-or-treating for candy and treats, lots of fun carnival-style games with prizes, face painting, photo booth, and more. Fun for all ages but geared for toddlers through grade 6. Hours: 6-6:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat; 6:30-8 p.m. Fall Fest. For info: (501) 868-9808, ChenalValleyChurch.org.

For more events in central Arkansas this fall, visit our full online calendar here.