It’s official.

Sadly, with Labor Day just around the bend, we Homorites can no longer pretend our summer days will continue to stretch on before us. Fall (or autumn, as the more sophisticated among us may call it) is upon us once again.

But mourn not! With it, the season brings a host of exciting new changes and exciting activities that can’t be enjoyed at any other time.

While our seaside town can’t participate in a few of the conventions that take place between summer and winter — cider mill touring, watching the hills turn bright red and orange as the leaves change — there are still plenty of fall-time things to get excited about.

Get ready to switch to the later season beers (which, if we’re all being honest, are much better anyway, right?). Pull out those chunky sweaters, and dust off your candied apple-making supplies. If these traditions aren’t enough to convince you that we are entering a superior season, maybe these Best Bets will:

BEST BARNYARD BET: Everyone knows orchards, farms and cider mills are a staple of the fall season. Those who want a taste of fall can join the Dean Family Farm and Art Studios for live animal drawing. The drawing sessions include a variety of animal breeds including donkeys, goats, pigs, chickens, and yow (yak/cow cross). The drawing sessions take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings, rain or shine, and cost $12 per person. All proceeds go to help support the animals. Bring your own supplies and R.S.V.P. by calling 299-5175 40374.

BEST BIOPIC BET: As the weather cools, many of us may be looking for more indoor activities to occupy our time. The Betster doesn’t often include movies in the list of must-do events, but “The Big Sick” is an exception. If you’re looking for a great way to spend a few hours our of your house but not necessarily out in the elements, check out the comedy based loosely on the real life romance of its writers, Emily Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani, who also stars in the film. It’s rated R and plays at 8:15 p.m. this Friday through next Wednesday.

BEST BUOYANT BET: There’s no clearer signal of the close of summer and start of fall than Homer’s Wooden Boat Festival. Young or old, aquatically inclined or land locked in nature, you shouldn’t miss out on part or all of this fest and still get to call yourself a Homorite. It’s being held this Friday-Sunday.

BEST TRAVEL BOUND BET: Looking for a change in scenery without actually having to go anywhere? Transport yourself across the globe with “Meandering the Middle East with Christina Whiting,” a presentation coming up at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the Homer Public Library. In 2015, Christina spent two months exploring Jordan, a country bordered by Iraq, Israel, Syria and Saudi Arabia, spanning 35,000 square miles and with a population of nearly ten million. While in Jordan, Christina studied Arabic at a language school, helped build a house for a Jordanian family, volunteered at a Syrian refugee camp and wandered the entire country alone and on foot, by bus and by car. Join her as she shares photographs and stories of her journey across Jordan.