It’s Harvest Time: Here Are 8 Ways To Enjoy It
No matter what you call it — fall, autumn or decorative gourd season — it’s the time of year when harvest festivals are popping up in seemingly every town. Here are eight of them, from all four Rural Intelligence counties, where you can revel in hot apple cider, freshly baked pies, craft brews and fun harvest-time activities. If the savory side of fall is more your style, head to Bethlehem, Conn. where they focus their harvest fest on all things garlic. Fiber arts lovers should not miss the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, where the shopping is abundant and the workshops fill up fast. Whatever you choose, the colors of fall in the Northeast will make any of these event all the more enchanting.
Saturday, Oct. 5, Rhinebeck, NY | Tour of Historic Barns and Working Farms Winnakee Land Trust’s 2019 fundraiser allows guests to travel by car, motorcycle or bicycle on a self-guided tour that provides a unique perspective on several area barns and farms. An after-party, held at Rhine Valley Farm in Rhinebeck, N.Y., will offer locally produced food and beverages, live music and other festive activities. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 5, Litchfield, CT | Apple Harvest Festival The Tapping Reeve Meadow — the historically inspired gardens at the Tapping Reeve House in Litchfield — will be the backdrop for Litchfield Historical Society's 2nd annual Apple Harvest Festival. The lineup includes live music, Colonial craftsmanship demonstrations, food, games and the popular apple pie contest. 1-5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6, Williamstown, MA | Fall Festival at Hopkins Forest Local residents are invited to celebrate the changing of the landscape and the bounty of the season with music, refreshments including apple cider, an active honey bee hive, a live beam hewing demonstration, a canopy walkway, contra dancing, guided hikes and children’s activities. Try your hand at traditional shake-splitting or enter the cross-cut saw competition. Bring your hiking boots, because the 2,600-acre Hopkins Forest offers an array of hiking trails. 12-3 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 11 – Sunday, Oct. 13, Salisbury, CT | Salisbury Fall Festival Columbus Day weekend is one of the best times to visit Salisbury and Lakeville, Conn. You’ll be able to take advantage of special sales, gallery exhibits and homemade baked goods (including Greek pastries). The fest’s jam-packed, three-day event schedule includes a 5K race along the rail trail, live music, a scarecrow contest, the second annual pet parade, activities for kids and a beer fest for adults. See website for the full lineup.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – Sunday, Oct. 13, Stockbridge, MA | Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival This popular annual event has something to keep everyone entertained. More than 100 regional artisan food and craft vendors will be on site; kids will enjoy the hay maze, pony rides, puppet shows and a haunted house; and adults can drop in on a workshop on garlic-growing, cheese-making or beekeeping. Don’t miss the tag sale or the plant and bulb sale as the BBG celebrates 85 years of fall fun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – Sunday, Oct. 13, Bethlehem, CT | Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival Let your nose lead you to the 15th annual garlic fest, held at the Bethlehem Fairgrounds. You'll be able to sample a wide assortment of garlic dips, spreads, cheeses and oils. Watch a cooking demonstration, learn how to grow garlic at a lecture, and stay for a live band performance. The food court will offer homemade roasted garlic sausage with peppers and onions, wood-fired garlic pizzas, garlic roasted pork sandwiches, deep fried garlic, and garlic ice cream. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. each day.
Sunday, Oct. 13, Ghent, NY | Hawthorne Valley Fall Festival The annual fest is a free public celebration featuring local artisans and vendors, live music, local food, children’s crafts and activities, hay and horse rides, cider pressing, a pie-baking contest and more. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19 — Sunday, Oct. 20, Rhinebeck, NY | NYS Sheep & Wool Festival Expect plenty of shopping opportunities, fiber and shearing demonstrations, competitions, book signings, kids' activities, more than 80 workshops and more at this popular two-day festival for all things fiber. Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Saturdy 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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