WHATCOM FARM TOUR

People can learn about Whatcom County farms during a free, self-guided tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 8. It's a chance for families to meet local farmers, explore the farms and taste the bounty our region has to offer.

There are educational and interactive activities at each tour stop, and products for sale at farm stands. For a map with suggested bicycle and driving routes, visit sustainableconnections.org.

MUD TO SUDS

There was no Mud Run at Taylor Shellfish Farms this summer, but you can still get down and dirty at Whatcom County's own Muds to Suds Mud Race Sept. 23 at Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale. It's open to anyone 8 and older.

The three-mile course will feature such obstacles as mud pits, rope-webbing in trees, climbing walls, snake tubes, hay bale stairs with slide, hanging tires, cargo-netting climb, balance beam and fire pits - and the finale, a slippery sudsy soap pit.

There will be a variety of divisions in the event, and families are encouraged to participate. Dressing up is encouraged, with prizes for the most creative ideas.

There will be a firetruck to hose off finishers, and a bonfire to warm up. The finish line will feature live music, a beer garden and local food vendors.

Advance registration is $10 kids, $20 students and $30 adults; day-of-race registration costs $10 extra. Details and registration: 360-746-8861, mudrace@skitosea.com, MudstoSuds.com.

FALL FRUIT FESTIVAL

An annual event the past 23 years, Cloud Mountain Farm Center's festival at 6906 Goodwin Road, near Everson, offers more than 200 varieties of fruit and fruit products for sampling Oct. 6-7. There's also live music, and Julia's Pumpkin Patch is open for u-pick.

Carpooling is encouraged. Details: 360-966-5859, cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

FERNDALE HARVEST FESTIVAL

Ferndale's Harvest Festival, Oct. 15 at Centennial Riverwalk Park, on Front Avenue, features a pumpkin growing contest and a carved pumpkin contest at 10 a.m., scarecrow designing at 11 a.m., food vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., chalk art at noon, a pumpkin dessert contest at 1 p.m. and a pumpkin catapult at 3 p.m. (for pumpkins less than 10 pounds, bring your own!).

Details: Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, 360-384-3042, Ferndale-chamber.com.

'TALE OF THE DRAGON'

Guy Caron and Yan Yan Zhao of Cirque du Soleil's "Ka" and "Dralion" present "Chi of Shaolin: The Tale of the Dragon" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St.

It's a riveting account of a thief left for dead after a foiled attempt to steal a prized relic. He's found by a Shaolin monk, who brings him back to the temple to heal, beginning a quest that can only lead to an ultimate and timeless transformation.

The journey encompasses acrobatics, traditional and modern dance, and displays of the monks' legendary skills in gung fu and wushu martial arts.

For tickets, $20 to $42, call 360-734-6080 or see mountbakertheatre.com.