From small-town festivals to family activities and seasonal traditions, fall in Whiteside County offers no shortage of ways to get out and enjoy the community.

Whether you’re looking for live entertainment, outdoor fun or family-friendly gatherings, here are some of the events and activities happening across the county this season.

Sept. 18

Prophetstown Proud’s Fourth Fridays – downtown Prophetstown; featuring live music, food and discounts from local shops; 5 to 7 p.m.; prophetstownproud.com and Facebook

Sept. 20

Harvest Hammer Duathlon – Morrison High School, 643 Genesee St., Morrison; races include a fun run for children, a color run, and a duathlon including a 3.1-mile run and 21-mile bike ride through the countryside; events start at 8 a.m.; see website to register and for times; harvesthammer.org

Paint the Town – downtown Morrison; register to paint your own 5-by-5-foot square on the street; view outdoor art, entertainment, food and more; noon; capamorrisonil.org and Facebook

Sept. 25

Sip into Fall – downtown Sterling; wine walk with sips, shopping and more; limited advance tickets available; sterlingmainstreet.org

Sept. 26

Taco Throwdown – RB&W District Park, 301 E. Second St., Rock Falls; featuring tacos to buy, a taco-eating contest, Zowa wrestling and music; free admission; 3 to 10 p.m.; visitrockfalls.com and Facebook

Haunted Haven haunted barn – Route 40 and Grennan Road, Rock Falls; opens Sept. 26; 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and on Halloween; hauntedhaven.org and Facebook

Oct. 3

Mad About Plaid – downtown Rock Falls; wear your plaid and join the community to celebrate the style; visitrockfalls.com and Facebook

Oct. 4

Lumberjack Show & Beard Contest – Selmi’s Greenhouse & Farm Market, 1206 Dixon Ave., Rock Falls; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; lumberjack shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; beard contest at 2 p.m. (advance registration required); activities for all ages and food available, including Cliff’s doughnuts; visitrockfalls.com and Facebook

Fulton Fall Fest – downtown and Heritage Canyon; celebrate all things fall with pumpkin-painting, apple pie, scarecrow walk and more; Fulton Fun Crew on Facebook

Oct. 11

Sauk Valley Apple Cider Run – race starts and ends at Selmi’s Greenhouse and Farm Market, 1206 Dixon Ave., Rock Falls; options include half-marathon, 10K and 5K; finish-line treats include apple cider doughnut and apple cider; advance registration recommended; raceroster.com

Hops on the Rock – Sterling Marketplace, 111 W. Second St., Sterling; craft beer festival; must be 21 and older to attend; advance tickets available; 3 to 6 p.m.; sterlingmainstreet.org

Halloween Town – downtown Sterling; trick-or-treat stations, costume contests and fun for all ages; free; 5 to 9 p.m.; exploredowntownsterling.com

Oct. 18

Spooktacular Halloween Golf Cart/UTV Parade – downtown Rock Falls; fun and festive lights and vehicles parade; 6:30 p.m.; visitrockfalls.com

Oct. 24

Biz Boo Trick-or-Treat – downtown Rock Falls; trick-or-treating at businesses, children’s activities and more; 4 to 6 p.m.; rockfallschamber.com or 815-625-4500 and Facebook

Oct. 25

Fall Fest and Halloween parade – downtown Morrison; children in costume parade down Main Street; 1:30 p.m., line up at 12:45 p.m.; morrisonil.org or morrisonchamber.com

Nov. 13

Ugly Sweater Sip N’ Shop – downtown Fulton; visit downtown businesses for special offers and delicious sips while wearing your best ugly sweater; 5 to 7 p.m.; Fulton Fun Crew on Facebook

Nov. 29

Christmas in Prophetstown and lighted parade – downtown; Small Business Saturday, visits with Santa, soup supper, lighting of the Love Light Tree at 5:30 p.m. and parade at 6:30 p.m.; prophetstownil.org or 815-537-5139

Nov. 20-22

Hometown Holiday – Rock Falls; activities for the family to enjoy; rockfallschamber.com and Facebook

Weekends from Nov. 28 to Dec. 21

Holiday light display – Centennial Park, 568 E. 11th St., Rock Falls; Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings; Facebook and visitrockfalls.com.

Dec. 5

Seasonal sights and sounds of Sterling downtown Christmas Walk – holiday shopping, children’s activities, lighting of the Library Plaza Christmas tree, live entertainment, Santa, music and fireworks at 8 p.m. on the riverfront; 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; sterlingmainstreet.org

Dec. 6

Hometown Christmas – downtown Morrison; lighted parade, decorations and holiday entertainment; morrisonchamber.com