Vermont Fall Festivals

09/27/2008 - The sunny, crisp days of September in Vermont are an ideal time to get outside and visit a community fair, sample local food at an autumn festival, check out beautiful locally-made artwork and handcrafted furniture, and take in some spectacular fall foliage. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening in mid-September. For a comprehensive listing of events, visit www.VermontVacation.com. Plymouth Cheese & Harvest Festival Plymouth Notch – September 20, 2008 Celebrate the bounties of the harvest and the award-winning world of Vermont-made cheese! The festival features a sampling of cheese supplied by members of the Vermont Cheese Council, wagon rides, historic farm & craft demonstrations, old-time fiddling, guided tours of the Plymouth Cheese Factory, and activities for the entire family. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.HistoricVermont.org/Coolidge. Festival of Traditional Crafts St. Johnsbury –September 20, 2008 Celebrate rural creativity at this colorful festival that fills Main Street with interesting sounds and fascinating traditions that shaped northern New England. Artisans demonstrate their unique skills, passed from one generation to the next. From butter churning to wood turning, candles to soap, cider to barrels, dolls to toys, and so much more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.fairbanksmuseum.org. Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival Wilmington – September 26-28, 2008 The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Life Magazine present a premiere culinary festival that will be an annual event in southern Vermont. This new outdoor event will take place in the Mount Snow Valley in Wilmington, with additional events occurring in the nearby towns of Dover and Whitingham. The festival will celebrate the best of wine, food and the good life and highlight the rich uniqueness, quality and ingenuity of Vermont producers and artisans. Friday 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.TheVermontFestival.com. Peru Fair Peru – September 27, 2008 Join more than 100 vendors at the 27th annual Peru Fair. The event includes the fair’s famous pig roast, as well as local artisans, farmers, crafters, music and food. Parking available at Bromley Mountain. The fair will be held in Peru Village, located off Route 11. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details, e-mail perufaircommittee@earthlink.net. Bristol Harvest Festival Bristol – September 27, 2008 Enjoy crafts, music, horse and wagon rides, children’s activities, farmers’ market, food, apple pie contest and more. The event will be held on the Bristol Town Green, West Street (Routes 116/17). 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.bristolharvestfest.com. Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival Woodstock – September 27-28, 2008 Vermont’s Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival showcases Vermont artists-in-wood and their commitment to keeping traditional skills and crafts alive. Guests mingling and shopping see that the exhibitors live their lives with tools of the craft in hand. World-class creativity and craftsmanship are unparalleled in the exquisite array of Vermont-made furniture and wood products. Browse the displays, make purchases, chat with woodworkers, or see them at work carving, turning, and crafting their wares. Live music, food, and forest tours make this a must do! 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.vermontwoodfestival.org. West River Whitewater Release Jamaica – September 27, 2008 Grab your canoe, kayak or raft and join paddlers from around the Northeast to ride class II to class IV rapids as the water is released from Bald Mountain Dam. The event will include vendors, including food. Jamaica State Park. For more information, visit www.vtstateparks.com. Chili Cook Off Poultney – September 27, 2008 Poultney’s annual chili cook off features more than 25 chili cookers competing for the best tasting chili. Come and sample some of the best chili around. Cooking starts around 7:30 a.m., and tasting is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 802-287-2016. Fall Foliage Ride at Mad River Glen Fayston – September 27-28, 2008 Enjoy spectacular fall foliage in the Mad River Valley by taking a Fall Foliage Ride on the quiet of Mad River Glen’s Single Chair. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event happens again on Oct. 4-5. For more information, visit www.madriverglen.com. The Old Fashioned Harvest Market Underhill – September 27-28, 2008 The Old Fashioned Harvest Market, started in 1975, is a family community event that attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year. The event features crafts, hay rides, flea market, a silent auction, parade, cider, baked goods, jams, pizza, cotton candy and much more. Route 15. For more information, visit www.unitedchurchofunderhill.com/Activities/HarvestMarket. 12th Annual Stowe Oktoberfest Stowe – September 26-28, 2008 Stowe's Jackson Ice Arena will be transformed into a Bavarian village for this annual celebration of harvests and fall foliage. From oompah bands to authentic German foods to freshly brewed Vermont beers to pumpkin and face painting – there's something for every "villager" – young and old. Friday 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www.stoweoktoberfest.com. Fall Foliage Festival Northeast Kingdom – September 29-October 5, 2008 Seven Vermont villages invite visitors to celebrate rural life against a spectacular backdrop of orange, red and yellow leaves. The towns of Walden, Cabot, Plainfield, Peacham, Barnet, Groton and St. Johnsbury each host the festival for a day, in that order. For more information, visit www.nekchamber.com.