Saw this meme yesterday and it reminded me that even though we’re better than half-way through September it still feels like August.

Besides the weather feeling more summer than fall, it may also seem like we’re in a bit of a  seasonal dead zone right now. Summer is over, and except for a few impatient people who love to decorate, Halloween season is still a couple of weeks away.  Well, guess what? This weekend just so happens to be the unofficial kickoff of fall festival season!

Maybe it’s our way of welcoming cooler temperatures and pumpkin spice everything, but North Texans absolutely love to kick up their heels at outdoor festivals during the fall months and because of that there will literally be boatloads of opportunities to celebrate the autumnal season in the coming weeks.

Take a peek at a few of the events happening in this inaugural weekend of fall festival season.

Photo: Therese Powell

There’s nothing like Autumn at the Arboretum to put you in an autumnal state of mind. The event at the Dallas Arboretum has been called one of “America’s Best Pumpkin Festivals” by Fodor’s Travel and this year is no exception. There will be over 90,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash on display that are used together to create a village made out of pumpkin houses. Be sure to stop by Cinderella’s carriage where thousands of pumpkins, hay bales and cornstalks are artfully arranged to give you the perfect photo op. There are multiple events for kids during the two-month run of the festival.

Photo: Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation

Celebrate fall and the annual migration of the monarch butterfly this Saturday at the annual Flight of the Monarch Celebration at Grand Central in Grand Prairie. You and the kids can take part in butterfly releases, get your photo snapped with Mater and Lightning McQueen, enjoy live music, or just have fun on the bounce houses in the KidZone. This free event happens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes three Monarch butterfly releases at 12, 2 & 4 p.m.

Photo: Greek Food Festival of Dallas

It’s fall, so that means it’s time again for the Greek Food Festival of Dallas at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. The annual Greek mega-party is celebrating over 60 years of sharing hospitality, culture, and, most importantly, glorious Greek cuisine with North Texas. Everything from gyros to spanakopita will be on the menu so be sure to come hungry. Besides all the good grub, there’s also a children’s area for the kiddos with sand art & crafts, caricature artists, and face painting. But the best part of the Greek Festival is the music and dancing. I highly encourage you to get in touch with your inner Zorba and let loose on the dance floor. The Big Fat Greek Party opens for its three-day run this Friday at lunch, so grab a co-worker or two for a mid-day break.

Photo: Women in Aviation, International, North Texas Chapter

Besides the beginning of fall, you can also help Frontiers of Flight Museum and Women in Aviation (WAI) celebrate Girls in Aviation Day this Saturday. The free program introduces girls 8 to 16 to the possibilities available in a career in aviation. WAI will present a variety of interactive experiences for visitors, including cutout helicopters, the phonetic alphabet, an aviation scavenger hunt, “build and fly” foam gliders, and a photo station where you can dress like an aviator and post your picture. If that’s not enough, the museum will open its doors to everyone free of charge for Museum Day Live! Just download a ticket here that’s good for admission for two on Saturday.

Photo: Dallas Firefighters Museum

Head to the Dallas Firefighter’s Museum this Saturday for FireFest 2017. The annual family-friendly event features live music, face painting, bounce houses, and games. Kids can also take a climb on one museum’s fire engines and meet Sparky the Fire Dog. While you’re there root for your favorite team in the hose cart races. In case you haven’t heard of hose cart races, they are timed races with two historically replicated hose carts, carrying an actual fire hose, pulled by 5-person teams along the race course.

Photo Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Party on the Porch at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art is back for another year of art, music, and fun. You and the kiddos can listen to live music out on the plaza from country artist, Summer Dean, followed by music blends of classic rock, blues and modern folk from the Matt Tedder Trio. While you’re out there, be sure to check out the lighting effects on the building and try out lawn games or two. If you’re hungry there will be food trucks galore, or you can pre-order a picnic basket from Central Market. Best of all, the museum will be open until 9 p.m. so you can take a docent lead tour of the permanent collection and exhibitions.