The fall is the best time of year in Arizona, and nowhere is that more evident than in Glendale this October. Whether you’re a shopaholic, a foodie, an outdoors enthusiast, or all of the above, you’ll find great fall activities in Glendale. Downtown Glendale will host the 21st Annual Front Porch Festival on Oct 21, showcasing the craftsman-style-bungalows-turned shops in Historic Catlin Court with shopping, dining and activities on the front porches and lawns. Visitors will find special deals, demonstrations, crafts and more. This free, family-friendly event is an opportunity to explore locally-owned shops, boutiques and critically-acclaimed restaurants. Allow yourself hours to visit the fun stops along the way, while strolling and enjoying the weather. The event will also feature a scarecrow-decorating contest, in which visitors can vote for their favorite and enter to win a prize. [gallery ids="1545,1546,1547,1548,1549" type="rectangular"] Take it a step farther, and include a stop to Tolmachoff Farms on your visit to Glendale. This fourth-generation farm founded by Russian immigrants is a plethora of fall activities, from pumpkin patches to corn mazes and petting zoos. The farm originally grew cotton, wheat and corn in the first part of this century. They started selling plums in the early 1970's from a roadside stand and the pick-your-own farm fresh produce stand has continued to grow ever since. Growing a large variety of fruits and vegetables and striving to provide the community with the ultimate in fresh produce straight from the field to your table is the farm's goal. Pumpkin Days, between Sept. 30 and Nov. 5 will delight all ages, with a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, corn mazes, petting zoo, train rides and much more. Did you know that Downtown Glendale is home to two restaurants that have been featured on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” on the Food Network? The area has become known for its ethnic eateries, which include Polish, Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese and German. In fact, October is the perfect time to visit a little piece of Germany right in downtown Glendale. For several weekends during October, Haus Murphy’s celebrates Oktoberfest. In addition to German delicacies like wiener schnitzel and sauerbraten, visitors will enjoy myriad beer selections and live entertainment that will make you feel like you’re in Munich. The best way to explore all of the local businesses and seasonal activities going on in Glendale is to start at the Glendale Visitor Center. Designated by the state as an official tourist information center, we offer travel information and resources from across the state. We can provide more information on any of these events and businesses, help plan your itinerary, locate accommodations, give restaurant recommendations and more, whether you want to go on a jeep adventure, catch a fall league baseball game, or visit local hole-in-the-wall restaurants, we’ve got you covered. Contact us at www.visitglendale.com or 623-930-4500. Written by guest blogger: Kim Larson