The last days of summer are slowly fading away, but that doesn’t mean that the fun has to end! New Englanders know how to do fall, and they welcoming the season by offering you a variety of exciting festivals and events that offer everything from food and music to games and parades!
Mark your calendar for these events!
Get a taste of fall during Nantucket Restaurant Week when more than 30 of the island’s finest restaurants offer unique three-course meals at excellent prices. It all kicks off on Sunday, September 27 with the Gala, the annual fundraiser that benefits the Nantucket Culinary Arts Foundation for island students. Other highlights include the Nantucket Junior Chef Competition on October 4 when students create three-course meals in hopes of being crowned Junior Chef 2009. The annual Chowder Fest is on October 17 when you can taste and vote for your favorite chowder! Nantucket Restaurant Week takes place Monday, September 28 through Sunday, October 4. For more information, visit www.nantucketrestaurantweek.com.
You don't have to travel far to be a part of Deutschland’s most famous fall festival! Newport, Rhode Island’s International Oktoberfest offers you authentic German folk dancing and music plus the best in German brews at the International Biergarten. The International Oktoberfest is Saturday, October 10 through Monday, October 12 at the Newport Yachting Center on America’s Cup Avenue, Newport. For more information, visit www.newportwaterfrontevents.com/international-oktoberfest/overview-newport-rhode-island-oktoberfest.htm.
Experience “Old Vermont” at the Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival. What is unique about this festival is that it’s comprised of seven individual festivals in seven different communities over seven days, from Sunday, September 27 through Saturday, October 4. Each community has a special history and background, giving you a good taste of what Vermont life is like. It starts off Sunday in St. Johnsbury with historic walking and cemetery tours,
a parade and a pancake/ham brunch. Monday, September 28 is Walden’s day to shine with tours, a soup and chili lunch, craft demonstrations and a ham supper. Head to Cabot on Tuesday for tours, hayrides, a turkey dinner and musical performances. Wednesday is Plainfield’s day with tours, hikes, entertainment and a chicken barbeque and baked bean supper. The remaining communities, Peacham (Thursday), Barnet (Friday) and Groton (Saturday) all offer fun, too, with tours, delicious foods, parades and special performances. For more information, visit http://www.nekchamber.com/pages/3952/EVENT:_Northeast_Kingdom_Fall_Foliage_Festival_2009.htm.
No, New Hampshire’s Sandwich Fair doesn’t involve actual sandwiches, but it piles high the fun. The fair began as an agricultural event in 1886, but has grown into an all around, family-friendly event. Activities include the donkey and mule driving obstacle course, children’s pedal tractor pull, antique tractor pull, pig handling contest and antique auto parade. There’s plenty of entertainment including performances by Annie and the Orphans and the Lisa Young Band while BJ Hickman brings magic to the stage. The Sandwich Fair takes place Saturday, October 10 through Monday, October 12 at 7 Wentworth Hill Road in Sandwich. For more information, visit www.thesandwichfair.com.
New England: it’s what fall is all about!
