If your idea of celebrating fall is a drive-thru pumpkin spice latte, you need to step up your game. Enter the seasonal spectacle of Blue Lake Harvest Days.

On Friday, Oct. 24 at 6:45 p.m. in the Blue Lake Business Park, join Four on the Floor Theatre's Elemental pageant with its gorgeous paper lanterns, stilt walkers and giant puppets traveling along the Mad River (free). If you're chilly, the Redwood Ramblers will be burning it up at the Mad River Tap Room from 6 to 8:30 p.m. (free). Afterward, laugh long and loud at the silent short films of Charlie Chaplin under Dell'Arte's Big Top tent at 8:30 p.m. (free). Wind down at the Logger Bar with Jenny and David & the Sweet Soul Band at 9 p.m. (free).

On Saturday, Oct. 25, get in on fun and games at the Mad River Grange from 3 to 6 p.m. (free). That means face painting, pumpkin carving and a pumpkin pie. At the same time, back at the Blue Lake Business Park, you can stroll artist booths and saddle up for pony rides. At 7 p.m., grown-ups can kick up their heels at the barn dance back in the tent, spinning and stomping to the tunes of the Striped Pig Stringband. Don't spill your latte.

— Jennifer Fumiko Cahill