Good morning, Medina County! 👋
October is in full swing, and things are getting a little spooky around here.
Zombies are taking over downtown Wadsworth, Medina's Public Square is getting a Halloween twist, and there's plenty of fall fun happening across the county.
We found the good stuff so you don’t have to.
IN TODAY’S SCOOP
🧟 Wadsworth's famous Thriller dance takes over downtown
🎃 Free trunk-or-treat fun on Medina's Public Square
🍂 A free fall adventure for the whole family
🍻 Oktoberfest fun worth the short drive
AROUND THE COUNTY
Wadsworth's Thriller Takes Over Downtown
Scare on the Square & Wadsworth Thriller
Something spooky is taking over downtown Wadsworth this Saturday... and it involves a whole lot of dancing zombies!
Scare on the Square & Wadsworth Thriller is back, transforming downtown into a Halloween street party packed with trick-or-treating, circus performers, food trucks, a petting zoo, and plenty of creepy costumes.
But the BIG attraction? A street full of zombies breaking into Michael Jackson's iconic Thriller dance! 🧟♀️🎶
My wife and kids were dancing zombies two years ago. It is a very cool experience!
NOTE: Streets downtown will be closed to traffic from 3:30–7:45 PM.
THE SCOOP: For families with younger kids, go early for candy and activities. For the real spectacle, arrive before 7 PM and grab a viewing spot for the zombie dance.
EAT & DRINK
Fall's Best Duo? Apple Cider & Doughnuts!
Pumpkin spice gets all the attention, but there's something about fresh apple cider and a warm doughnut that just tastes like October.
If you're looking for a little fall flavor (see what I did there), check out Hillside Orchard & Farm Market in Hinckley.
This family-run orchard and market is known for its apple cider doughnuts, fresh cider, homemade pies, and seasonal produce. It's the kind of stop where you go in for one thing and somehow leave with a bag full of goodies.
📍 2397 Center Road, Hinckley
THE SCOOP: Skip the big fall-festival crowds and make a simple cider-and-doughnut run. Grab a few treats, take a scenic drive, and enjoy one of the best parts of autumn in Northeast Ohio.
Team apple cider doughnuts or team pumpkin everything? 🍩🎃
NEW-ish AROUND HERE
🥓 Have You Tried Medina's Newest Biscuit Spot?👀
Forget your ordinary breakfast sandwich. There's a Southern-inspired brunch spot in Medina that's all about biscuits!
Vicious Biscuit, which opened earlier this summer at 4136 Pearl Road, brings a menu built around hearty biscuit sandwiches and creative breakfast favorites.
If you haven't checked it out yet, here's your excuse to plan a weekend breakfast run.
THE SCOOP: It's not a brand-new opening this week, but it's still a relatively new addition to Medina's food scene. And we're curious: have you tried it yet?
Team biscuits or team pancakes? 🥞
Know Something New?
Restaurant opening? New shop? Something coming to your neighborhood?
💰 FAMILY BUDGET PICK
🎃 Cars, Candy & Coffee on Medina Square!
Looking for a fun family outing that won't cost a fortune?
Cars & Coffee: Trunk-or-Treat Edition is rolling into Medina's Public Square this Sunday, October 18, from 8 AM to noon.
Expect classic and specialty cars, Halloween-themed fun, music, and a chance for the kids to collect some treats while checking out the vehicles.
Weather is looking to be sunny and in the 60s! Gonna be a great day to be outside!
📍 Where: Medina Public Square
📅 When: Sunday, October 18 | 8 AM–Noon
💰 Cost: FREE admission
THE SCOOP: Bring the kids in costume, grab a coffee from a downtown shop (support those local businesses), and enjoy a Sunday morning on the Square. You can make it a completely free outing or splurge on breakfast afterward.
🚗 WORTH THE DRIVE
🍂 Oktoberfest at The Chalet - Fall Fun Without the Big Price Tag!
Looking for a little fall adventure outside Medina County? Head to The Chalet at Cleveland Metroparks' Mill Stream Run Reservation for an afternoon of Oktoberfest fun!
This family-friendly celebration features live polka music, dancing, lawn games, face painting, balloon art, German food, and tractor-drawn hayrides through the fall scenery.
Best of all? Admission to Oktoberfest is FREE!
📍 Where: The Chalet, Strongsville area
📅 When: Saturday, October 17 | 3–7 PM
💰 Cost: FREE admission; optional hayrides are $12 for ages 12+ and $10 for ages 3–11. Children 2 and under ride free on an adult's lap.
THE SCOOP: You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a fall festival. Come for the music and activities, or add a hayride for the full autumn experience. It's an easy afternoon getaway without going far from home.
📅 THE WEEKEND SCOOP
The best things happening around Medina County this weekend.
👨👩👧 Family Friendly • 💰 FREE • ❤️ Date Night • 🎟️ Book Ahead
🎃 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
Fun Friday at Mapleside Pumpkin Village
📍 Mapleside Farms, Brunswick | 4–9 PM
Kick off the weekend with corn mazes, giant slides, pig races, and more than 20 fall attractions. Friday admission is discounted compared with the themed weekend festival.
🎟️ Ticketed event | Details
🧟 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Scare on the Square & Wadsworth Thriller
📍 Downtown Wadsworth | 3:30–9:30 PM
Downtown trick-or-treating, circus performances, food trucks, and a street full of dancing zombies! The famous Thriller performance starts around 7 PM.
💰 FREE admission | Details.
Pumpkin Paddle Kayaking
📍 Hinckley Lake Boathouse, Hinckley
Enjoy a fall kayaking adventure on Hinckley Lake with a fun pumpkin-themed twist! Four sessions are listed throughout the day, starting at 9:30 AM. Ages 8 and over.
🎟️ Ticketed event | Details.
Spring Grove Arboretum Walk
📍 Spring Grove Cemetery, Medina | 2–4 PM
Enjoy a guided walk among more than 600 trees, a family scavenger hunt, and free saplings. The guided tour starts at 2 PM, with self-guided walks available throughout the event.
💰❤️ FREE | Details.
The Great Pumpkin Fest
📍 Mapleside Farms, Brunswick | 11 AM–9 PM
See Mapleside's famous wall of more than 200 pumpkins, explore the farm attractions, and enjoy a full day of fall fun.
🎟️ Ticketed event | Details.
🚗 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
Cars & Coffee: Trunk-or-Treat Edition
📍 Medina Public Square | 8 AM–Noon
More than 150 show cars, music, lawn games, and Halloween treats for the kids. Grab a coffee and enjoy a relaxed morning downtown.
💰 FREE admission | Details.
The Great Pumpkin Fest - Day Two
📍 Mapleside Farms, Brunswick | 11 AM–6 PM
One more chance to enjoy the pumpkin displays, corn mazes, slides, and other fall attractions before the weekend wraps up.
🎟️ Ticketed event | Details.
🎵 MUSIC
FRIDAY
A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation
📍 Medina Performing Arts Center, 851 Weymouth Road, Medina, OH
🕢 7:30 PM
Experience an evening of live Irish music, energetic dancing, and Celtic favorites in this touring stage production.
🎟️❤️ Tickets approximately $52–$86 | Event Details & Tickets.
SATURDAY
October Skies - Brass Band of the Western Reserve
📍 Medina Performing Arts Center, 851 Weymouth Road, Medina, OH
🕖 7 PM
Enjoy an autumn-inspired concert featuring beautiful brass arrangements, from peaceful melodies to soaring musical performances.
🎟️❤️ Ticketed event | Event Details.
⚡ QUICK HITS
A little more scoop to keep on your radar!
🎃 Last Call for the Pumpkin Salute!
Saturday, October 17 is the registration deadline for Medina's Great America 250 Pumpkin Salute on October 24. Want your carved pumpkin to be part of the display? Sign up here.
🧙 Witches Night Out Is Coming!
Thursday, October 22 | Downtown Medina
Grab your witch hat for an evening of shopping, specials, giveaways, and Halloween fun. The Witches Dance is scheduled for 8 PM. Details.
🚂 A Little Local History!
Sunday, October 25 | 1–4 PM
The Liverpool Depot Museum in Valley City is hosting an open house. Stop by to explore the historic railroad depot and learn a little about the area's past. Details.
📣 SPREAD THE SCOOP
Know someone who always asks, “What are we doing this weekend?”
Send them Medina County Scoop. The more locals who join us, the better the Scoop gets for everyone..
THAT’S THE SCOOP!
Thanks for hanging out with us. We’ll be back next Thursday with more of what’s good around Medina County.
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Have a great weekend,
Ryan
Medina County Scoop