By mid-September, the Northeast’s forests explode in a fury of bright reds, golds, and oranges; however, it’s hard to predict when the foliage will be at its most attractive height. The last week of September through the first weeks of October is generally marked as the primetime peak for Maine to Vermont and the middle weeks of October are designed as the premier vibrancy from Massachusetts to New York, but any number of factors can darken the leaves. So if you’re planning to head up to New England this year, don’t go just to see the leaves (which, by the way, do nothing but just hang around), journey to the fall festivals with hot cider, apple-picking, and flickering jack-o-lanterns.
Fryburg Fair
Husbands beware of the Skillet Toss at the Fryeburg Fair! (Photo by Dick Pollock)
If you have a craving for warm clam chowder, you won’t be able to pass up Maine’s Fryeburg Fair. This “Blue Ribbon Classic” is a celebration of the season and is always held in early October. With more than 3000 animals, food vendors, concerts, 4WD truck pulls, harness racing, parades, rides, and skillet throwing (which will make its Olympic debut in 2018), a weekend might not be enough time to enjoy this show, and you won’t want to miss the first Monday of the fair. That’s when the incredible Woodmen’s Field Day takes place, showcasing 27 wood-related contests like bucksaw, standing block, axe throwing, tree felling, and crosscutting. It’s just like the competitions you’ve seen on ESPN but up close. There’s also camping on site, so if you don’t want to relax at a cozy B & B (why wouldn’t you?!), then you can rough it close to the fair.
King Richard’s Faire
You can’t miss King Richard’s Faire, New England’s largest Renaissance festival, since it runs from August 30 through October 19 this year! The fair boasts 56 shops, including body and face painting, glass-blowing, handmade pottery, “dragon pets,” and hair braids, and children and adults alike will enjoy close encounter with lions, wolves, Bengal tigers, snow leopards, White Siberian tigers, and other beasts at the Royal Zoo. Also, show off that Tom Selleck facial hair at the annual beard and moustache contest, and over one weekend, an ordained minister even performs a vow renewal ceremony. (Dost thou take thee?) The fair is only 50 minutes from Boston and 45 minutes from Providence, putting it in the thick of the lovely forests of New England.
Apple Harvest Festival
Caramel apples abound at the Apple Harvest Festival in Southington, Connecticut!
Fall’s apple season, so of course you’ll want to dive face-first into apple pie. The 46th Annual Apple Harvest Festival in Southington, Connecticut, is held over two weekends in October with arts and crafts, parades (around the theme “A Deep Seeded Tradition”), a carnival, and of course, the apple pie eating and apple fritter eating contests. Don’t miss the fireworks on the first Saturday night or activities for the little ones, including balloon sculptures, face painting, glitter tattoos, and more.
Keene Pumpkin Festival
Admission is free at the the Keene Pumpkin Festival. Just bring a pumpkin! (Photo by Mickey Pullen)
The Keene Pumpkin Festival in Keene, New Hampshire, will brighten up the night sky with more than 30,000 pumpkins for its 24th celebration on Oct. 18, 2014. Last year’s grand total of 30,581 pumpkins was a new world record (I’m sure it’s not a fire hazard), but every year, the events draw 50,000 to 80,000 onlookers. The Food and Craft Court serves delectable apple crisps, hot cider, maple-flavored cotton candy, and other autumn offerings. A suggested donation of $5.00 plus a carved pumpkin is all Keene requests when you come to enjoy the festival.
If you can’t make it to New England, then New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey have apple-picking farms with corn mazes, hot cider, tractor rides, and other fall-themed events to experience. If all else fails, your local supermarkets and coffee shops offer pumpkin coffee and hot cider for you to consume, but nothing beats the real deal.
