Leaf peeping, jack-o'-lanterns and other fall fun in Appalachia and the Mid

After months of sticky summertime heat, fall is finally descending upon parts of Appalachia and the Mid-South. It marks a time of celebration in the region, including harvest festivals, Halloween attractions and the simple joys of comfortable weather and nature’s striking colors.

To commemorate the season, reporters from Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia explored their neck of the woods to share some of the region’s unique fall activities for the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom.

Jack-o’-lanterns in Kentucky

Every year, one of Louisville’s oldest parks glows with thousands of elaborately carved pumpkins. The Jack O’Lantern Spectacular is back at Iroquois Park for its 13th annual show, and organizers say it’s better than ever.

These jack-o’-lanterns go above and beyond what you typic