MONROE UNFILTERED: THE DAILY BUZZ | Sept. 18
5 Best Monroe Farms and Fall(ish) Fun
Friday, September 18, 2026
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WEEKEND WEATHER
Friday's the pick of the weekend (okay, I know Friday isn't technically the weekend): sunny and warm, a high near 80°F, dropping into the upper 40s to low 50s overnight.
It's going to start feeling more like Fall when the actual weekend hits, even though fall doesn't officially arrive until next Tuesday. Saturday will be mostly sunny but cooler with a high near 71°F, prime weather for apple picking or a farm visit (see Five Best Of below). If you have been thinking about planting or patching your grass, it is probably a good day to do it given the rain in the forecast next week. Sunday's the one to plan around: rain moves in and sticks most of the day, with a high somewhere in the upper 60s to low 70s.
Next week is going to be even cooler and wetter. Monday clears out fast, just a chance of showers before 8 a.m., high near 68°F, before the sun's back for the workweek. Then we are looking at highs in the high-50s with a likelihood of rain every single day.
FIVE BEST OF MONROE: FARMS TO VISIT
Fall harvest is nearly here, so we went looking for five real, working Monroe County farms worth a visit this fall, not just a produce stand or a farm to table dinner (we've already covered both of those). Ranked highest to lowest by Google rating, with review count breaking any ties:
Mazezilla at Klingel Farms: Best Season (4.7 ★, 906 reviews). An 11-acre corn maze, a wagon-ride pumpkin patch, a pumpkin launcher, and barnyard animals, open now through Nov. 8.
415 Route 115, Saylorsburg, PA 18353
Heckman Orchards: Best Overall (4.7 ★, 727 reviews). Real pick-your-own, not just a stand: U-pick apples and pumpkins run Oct. 1 to 2 and Oct. 7 to 9 this year, plus a full farm market with cider and jarred goods. Note that spring frost wiped out this year's U-pick strawberries and sour cherries, so it's apples and pumpkins only for 2026.
3009 PA-115, Effort, PA 18330
Gould's Produce and Farm Market: Best Farm Market (4.7 ★, 208 reviews). U-pick apples and peaches in season, weather and harvest dependent, alongside a full farm-market store. Worth a call ahead to confirm what's currently pickable.
829 Frable Rd, Brodheadsville, PA 18322
Josie Porter Farm: Best for a Walk (4.7 ★, 31 reviews). Nearly 50 acres in Cherry Valley with a CSA (that's Community Supported Agriculture: you buy a share up front and get a regular haul of the farm's produce all season), plus native plant sales, public walking trails, and biweekly open mic nights.
6514 Cherry Valley Rd, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm: Best Living-History Experience (4.6 ★, 216 reviews). A working living-history farm museum that TripAdvisor ranks the number one thing to do in Stroudsburg. Later in the season, they do an amazing Harvest Fest. You can even see our Controller, Erik Dimer, and his family (owners of Pocono Soap) demonstrating historic cooking methods.
347 Quiet Valley Rd, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
THE DAILY RUNDOWN
Taking the Weekend Off From Bad News. We're not pretending this was a quiet week on the crime front. A domestic assault arrest at a Pocono Township hotel, a rape charge out of an East Stroudsburg University dorm, and new child sex charges in Ohio against a man who spent over a decade as a Salvation Army major right here in East Stroudsburg all crossed our desk this week. Friday's supposed to feel good, though, so we're holding all three for Monday rather than closing out the week on a hard note. See you then.
GET OUT: THE WEEKEND ITINERARY
Thank you to the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau for sourcing our weekend lineups. Their events calendar did the legwork so you don't have to. Here are our picks, and yes, they're all Saturday this week:
Mount Pocono HarvestFest at Route 611 and Fairview Ave. A family-friendly craft festival with artisans, vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment. Sat. 9/19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.
Festival de la Mariposa at Dansbury Park, East Stroudsburg. A Latin-culture community festival with performances, vendors, and food, plus a ribbon-cutting for the new Stroud Rec Memory Garden. Sat. 9/19, noon to 4 p.m., free.
Harvest Festival at Mountain View Vineyard Winery. A family harvest celebration with food trucks, craft vendors, seasonal specials, and ticketed pumpkin painting and hayrides. Sat. 9/19, noon to 5 p.m., free to attend.
The Rascals at Sherman Theater. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act The Rascals, founders Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish, play downtown Stroudsburg. Sat. 9/19, doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m., $40 to $91.15.
Night Lights at Pocono Raceway. A weekly lantern release with live music and campfires, wrapping its run this Saturday. Gates open 3 p.m., lanterns after dark, price varies by ticket tier.
Masquerade Cabaret with The Steel Stilettos at Sherman Theater's Showcase Room. A burlesque and variety cabaret with a mask contest, 18 and up. Sat. 9/19, doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m., $20 to $27.75.
Sadly, I am going to miss all these great events as I am visiting family in Boston. But I hope you all have a great weekend, Monroe County.