By Brenna Locklear
There is absolutely nothing like fall in Auburn. In a town that celebrates orange all year long, it is extra special when the season starts to reflect our favorite color, too. The change of season from summer to fall in Auburn brings new tastes, smells, sights, and weather, all while keeping the color orange at the center of our attention. Here is a list of my personal favorite Auburn, orange and fall things:
- Samford Hall. Some would argue this is the most iconic building on campus, and I couldn’t agree more. And while Samford is always there, standing at attention, catching the eye of every passer-by, it seems to look even more stunning in the fall. The building, with its orange-reddish brick, combined with the backdrop of autumn foliage seems to say “Welcome to fall” like nothing else on campus.
2. Chewacla State Park. Located on the outskirts of town, this is the place to be to see fall foliage in all its glory. Nothing could be more “fall” in Auburn than packing a yummy picnic, hiking one of Chewacla’s 10-plus trails, and observing even the forest showing off a little bit of that Auburn Spirit.
3. Auburn Sunsets. If you know, you know. Sunsets in Auburn on any given day are over-the-top beautiful, but especially in the fall. It’s as if God himself lights up the sky with an ode to our favorite combo of colors, orange and blue.
4. Weather. It’s not a secret that in Auburn many months of the year are rather, shall we say…hot. But come mid-October we are finally afforded some sweet relief from the heat. As you step outside in the early morning, the crisp fall air greets you and reminds you that fall really is the best season in Auburn, Alabama. As an Auburn student, you start and end the day in a light sweater and spend as much time as possible soaking in every moment of the much-anticipated change of temperature.
5. Football Season. Yes, we can’t really talk about fall and the celebration of our favorite color without mentioning one of the most popular sports on Auburn’s campus. Starting on Thursday, Auburn fans from across the state begin to trickle into the area, sporting their favorite Auburn t-shirts and jerseys, and decorating the town in that iconic burnt orange. If you haven’t felt the spirit of fall yet, I promise that will change the closer we get to gameday.
6. Coffee. I know, coffee is not orange, but hang with me. At a local coffee shop downtown called Coffee Cat, they feature a specialty drink that does tip the hat to our most beloved fall color. Their bourbon caramel syrup reflects that cozy orange color and gives you all the fall tastes in one yummy drink. Ask for that added to your standard ole latte and your fall experience can officially be complete. It’s tasty, it’s orange-ish and it’s oh so fall.
If you haven’t experienced a fall day in Auburn, I venture to say you haven’t really experienced all this season has to offer. Make a day of it – drink the coffee, take in the weather, see Samford Hall with orange leaves all around. Come see what fall is really like in a town that loves orange.