Best Country Fairs & Fall Festivals 2018

admin Posted OnAugust 9, 2018

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Yorktown Grange Fair

Best Country Fairs & Fall Festivals 2018: Here’s the skinny on local country fairs and fall festivals. The best 21 fall themed events we can find key worded for country fair, harvest, farms, barns, pigs, apples, pumpkins, cider, donuts, craft beer and even a few that just claim to be festivals!

September

Renaissance Faire, Tuxedo Park, Sat-Sun & Labor Day, 8/4-9/30: 10am-7pm: A romp through Elizabethan England complete with 16th Century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music and dance in Tuxedo Park. There’s renaissance faire Tuxedo NY jousting Best Kids Events August This Weekend's Best Events mime, magic, music, comedy and storytellers, pirates, fairies, pole dancing, piping, acrobats, aerialists, a fire circus, birds of prey, sword fighting, knife throwing and the big one … jousting. Check for theme weekends & special events. (600 Rt. 17A, Tuxedo Park; www.renfair.com)

Lime Rock Park Historic Festival, Lakeville, CT – Thurs-Mon: 8/30-/9-3: check times: The east coast’s premier vintage racing and concours event presents three days of on-track racing. Including more than 250 cars and drivers, parading and racing everything from pre-WWI racers to the best competition machines from the 1920s to the 1970s. (60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville CT: www.limerock.com)

CORNucopia at Philipsburg Manor – Sat-Mon, 9/1-3: 10am-5pm: This novel corn festival offers an inspired bounty of corn-centric delicacies (corn bread, salsa, chips, chili, ice cream and popcorn) demonstrations (corn grinding & cooking) games and crafts (Konk-a-Crow, Ring-a Cob) corn-shucking races and a mini maize-maze. Plus house tours, bluegrass and folk music and English country dancing in the barn. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Apple Picking – 9/8-10/28: Apple picking season is here. Check out our Fall Survival Checklist to find out where to pick apples and when. Apple Picking.

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard Festival Weekends – Sat-Sun, 9/8-10/28: They’re picking apples (and pumpkins) and rocking’ at Harvest Moon in North Salem. Harvest Moon’s Apple Picking Festival weekends feature hayrides, pony rides, face painting, farm animals, bounce house, and great live music. Plus the best apple cider donuts, lemonade, funnel cakes, smoked turkey legs, kettle corn, gourmet pizza, pumpkin cheesecake, Italian cheeses and sausages, French cakes and more! (130 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem; www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard)

Yorktown Grange Fair, Fri-Sun, 9/7-9: till 11 pm, 7p on Sunday: Westchester’s only true country fair showcasing home grown vegetables, flowers, baked goods, livestock, poultry, needlework and photography since 1923. There’s an antique tractor parade, livestock exhibits, horse competitions, hay rides, jugglers, magic shows, pie eating, balloon blowing, nail driving and rubber chicken throwing competitions – the stuff memories are made of. Plus carnival rides, food and music. (Yorktown Grange Fair Grounds, 99 Moseman Avenue, Yorktown Heights; www.yorktowngrangefair.org)

Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival, Fri-Sun: 9/7-9: Three days of entertainment, carnival rides and games and OYSTERS, OYSTERS, OYSTERS. Featuring a 65 foot Ferris Wheel, an Arts & Crafts Show with 100 vendors, New England Seaport Village, Kids’ Cove with games, rides & activities under a circus tent, International Food Court, headline musical acts, harbor tour cruises, vessel tours and a Celebrity Oyster Slurp-off. (Norwalk Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Ave., Norwalk; www.seaport.org)

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Sat-Sun, 9/8-9: Sample wine and food from over 100 Hudson Valley vendors, wineries, craft beer, cider and spirits brewers and distillers.There’s a Gourmet Food Truck Corral, wine seminars, cooking demos, music and 50 crafts vendors. Take home some Hudson Valley gourmet specialty foods from goat cheese to cheesecake, maple syrup to olive oil and beef jerky too! (6550 Spring Brook Ave, Rhinebeck; www.hudsonvalleywinefest.com)

Local! Mount Kisco Septemberfest, Downtown Kisco, Fri-Sun, 9/14-16: This Sidewalk Sale, Carnival and Food Court from the Mt. Kisco Chamber of Commerce features a carnival from Big Top Entertainment, a Beer Garden and food court, equine rescue horses, WCPD K-9 unit, demonstrations and more. The Sidewalk Sale goes from 10am-8pm on Fri & 10am-6pm on Sat. The Carnival goes from 5-10pm Fri, 11am-10pm on Sat & 11am-6pm on Sun. (www.mtkiscochamber.com)

Local! Greenwich Audubon Fall Festival and Hawk Watch, Sat-Sun, 9/15-16: 11am-5pm: Live raptor shows, rehabilitated hawk releases, petting zoo with a bearded dragon, kangaroo, goats and baby animals, rock climbing wall, hayrides, guided hikes, games & crafts, local exhibitors and food. The Greenwich Audubon has some of the best hiking trails in the area. If you’re a hiker pick up a copy of Walking Trails in Greenwich and the Surrounding Area in their gift shop. (613 Riversville Rd., Greenwich; www.greenwich.audubon.org)

Local Celeb Alert! John Jay Barn Dance, John Jay Homestead, Sat, 9/15: 5-10pm: It’s the event of the season in Bedford. The annual John Jay Barn Dance serves up a country BBQ, a pizza truck, a campfire and PIG RACING IS BACK! But the highlight of the evening is the music by local bands including Bedford’s School of Rock House Band. PS Son #2 of WTD will perform with SOR! So we’ll see you there! (John Jay Homestead, 400 Jay St., Katonah; www.johnjayhomestead.org)

Local! Puttin’ on the Dog Adoptions and Pet Festival, Sun, 9/16: 10am-4:30pm: Armonk’s Adopt-A-Dog’s signature event drew 5,000 people to Roger Sherman Park last year. This annual event is highlighted by an “adoptable dog parade” all available for adoption from Adopt-A-Dog Armonk. Plus competition classes for your dog, food, entertainment, vendors, a scavenger hunt and a silent auction. CATS TOO! (Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, Arch St., Greenwich, CT; www.adoptadog.org)

Local! Bedford Tri-Festa, Bedford Hills Memorial Park, Sat, 9/22: 4-8pm: Celebrate Bedford, Bedford Hills & Katonah at this new free event featuring music and kids entertainment with food trucks and a beer garden from Captain Lawrence Brewery. With music from School of Rock, Blonde Ambition and Jake & The Mountain Men. Plus kids’ entertainment from Annie & Safari Bob, Mario the Magician, face painting, inflatables and Safari Rides. No pets please. (60 Haines Rd., Bedford Hills; www.bedfordrecreation)

Local! Muscoot Hoe Down, Muscoot Farm, Sat, 9/22: 6-9pm: Hoe Down under the big tent at this Muscoot Farm BBQ dinner and Square Dance called by CJ Lawler. Check out their auction for Muscoot Farm/County Park Experiences and Local Business Gift Certificates including your own Family Movie Night in Muscoot’s Upper Dairy Barn and a gift certificate from Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish.(51 NY Rt. 100, Katonah; www.muscootfarm.org)

Local! 6th Annual Armonk Cider and Donut Festival & Byram Hills Pre-School Assn. Fall Carnival – with Jamie’s 5k Run for Love, Sun, 9/23: 9:15am-2pm: This Armonk Chamber of Commerce celebration starts with kids races and then the 5K race. Then the country shindig begins with donuts from Beascakes, apple cider, local fare and dancing to live music, Plus carnival rides, a bouncy house, Face painting, Kids crafts, a pie eating contest and donut fishing games (pictured here). Races start at 9:15am. (Wampus Park, Maple Ave., Armonk; www.armonkchamberofcommerce.org)

Blues, Brews & Botany, New York Botanical Garden, Sat, 9/22: 12-4pm: Garden scientists help you discover the connections between beer and botany with tastings and a botanically inspired Brews Clues Scavenger Hunt. Buy a commemorative mug and enjoy unlimited tastings of a variety of New York State brews and chill out to the sounds of blues bands. Plus lawn games including Giant Chess and Giant Jenga. Check out NYBG’s current exhibit Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawai’i in its final weeks. (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

The American Gold Cup & Family Fun Fest, North Salem, Wed-Sun, 9/26-30: With a half million dollars in prize money, The American Gold Cup held is one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in the world of International Show Jumping. Held over five days at the lavish Old Salem Farm, it attracts the best competitors in the world. Sat & Sunday’s competitions offer the big prize $$’s and a Family Fun Fest with entertainers, pony rides, face painting, food trucks and more. (190 June Road, North Salem; www.theamericangoldcup.com)

Local! 6th Annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, Bell Middle School, Sat, 9/29: 10am-4pm: Our What To Do With the Kids Bucket List starts with the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. It’s been written up in the New York Times and The Huffington Post and regularly draws over 4,000 visitors. The kids’ book fest showcases over 84 popular children’s book authors including co-author and illustrator of the Pinkaliciousseries, Victoria Kann. Most of them will be onsite, doing signings and book readings for the kids. The show also features authors of books for young adults, children’s entertainment and of course the Great Chappaqua Bake Sale that raises funds for No Kid Hungry. (50 Senter Place, Chappaqua; www.ccbfestival.org)

Local! The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry, Bell Middle School – Sat, 9/29: 10am-4pm:The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale manages the snacks at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Fair offering baked goods and raffle prizes donated by families and businesses in the Chappaqua area. It has raised over $100,000 for No Kid Hungry in the past seven years. Both events run in conjunction at the Bell Middle School. (50 Senter St., Chappaqua; like them on Facebook.)

October

Local! Fall Festival & Halloween Train Show, Lasdon Park – Sat- Mon: 10/6-8 & Sat-Sun, 10/13-10/28: 10am-4pm: At this Fall Festival cum Halloween Train Show, Lasdon’s Main House is spooked out with decorations. There’s music, face painting, an animal embassy, Louie the T-Rex, a Halloween Crazy Maze, beer tastings, food trucks and, of course the Model Train display. Check out the Color of Summer exhibit in the Conservatory’s Glass House while you are there.(2810 Amawalk Rd., Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Hot Ticket Alert! Annual Stone Barns Harvest Fest – Sat, 10/6: 10am-3pm: Their 15th annual celebration and fundraiser will be a hot ticket so sign up early. THIS EVENT ALWAYS SELLS OUT! Live music, hay rides and educational tours throughout the farm. There’s farm demonstrations and a close up look at the farm’s animals. There’s a seasonal Food Market featuring local purveyors and delicious fare. (630 Bedford Rd., Pocantico Hills; www.stonebarnscenter.org)

Fall Fest, Hilltop Hanover Farm – Sat-Sun, 10/6-7: 10am-4pm: A weekend of farm activities including hay rides, pumpkin picking, hikes on 3.5 miles of marked trails, farm animals, farm stand and u-pick veggies and more. (1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights; www.hilltophanoverfarm.org)

Bacon 88 different ways! Hudson Valley Bacon Bash, Sat, 10/6: 1-6pm: The ultimate fete for bacon lovers! This family friendly event features bacon themed food and craft vendors, a bacon competition, live bands and bacon themed games. Sounds like a total pig-out to us. And we mean that in a good way. Plus honey making, beer garden, tractor tour and pumpkin eating contest, (Orange County Farmer’s Museum, 850 Rt. 17K, Montgomery, NY; www.baconbashny.com)

New & Local! New Castle Fall Festival, Gedney Park, Sat, 10/13: 12-5pm: New Castle Recreation’s new Fall Festival will feature music, hayrides, a kid’s zone, food trucks, a beer garden and vendors at the back lot and fields of Gedney Park. (155 Millwood Rd., Chappaqua)

Local! The Pound Ridge Harvest Festival ROCKS, Pound Ridge Town Park – Sat, 10/13: 1-6pm: Come on Armonk, Bedford & Chappaqua, you’re not trying hard enough! The Pound Ridge Harvest Festival features activities for kids, a craft beer garden for adults, and a root beer garden for kids, wine tastings, a Scarecrow Content and BBQ for all. Best of all they always get a music house quality hit-making band to perform at the fest. Last year it was Rusted Root. This years band will be announced soon. (Pound Ridge Town Park, 179 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; www.poundridgeharvestfestival.com)

Local! Tastes of Northern Westchester, Mt. Kisco Country Club: TBA: This event from the Mount Kisco Rotary Club usually is set for the final Thursday in October. Sample fine food from the area’s finest restaurants, wine and music to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester and other Mount Kisco Rotary club philanthropic organizations. (10 Taylor Rd., Chappaqua; www.mountkiscorotary.org)

Where To Celebrate Halloween, The Dead, The Undead & The Grateful Dead: You didn’t think we’d forget the biggest fall events of all? Our Annual Halloween Events Calendar will be out soon. We’ll have everything from all the major boo-fests to the local kids parades and celebrations. Last year we listed over thirty Halloween events in eluding Horseman’s Hallow at Philipsburg Manor (pictured here). Plus, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Old Dutch Church, Spooky Tales at Caramoor and The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Multiple venues. Check back soon or sign up for the What To Do Email Newsletter to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

November

Fall Forest Weekend, New York Botanical Garden, TBA: NYBG offers live word demonstrations and guided tours of the Thain Family forest, the largest remaining tract of old-growth forest in New York City, during prime foliage season the first and second weekends in November. You can even see the Forest from a different perspective with a scenic canoe trip down the Bronx River and spot birds that call this woodland home. Check back for updates. (2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx www.nybg.org)

UBS Parade Spectacular, Downtown Stamford, Sun, 11/18: 12pm: Skip the Macy’s Day Parade and stay local with one of the largest helium balloon parades in the country. When we were there we saw the Pink Panther, Popeye, Underdog (our fave), Nemo, Mighty Mouse, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Miss Piggy, Spiderman and Kermit the Frog. Plus marching bands, floats and street food. Or check out the Giant Balloon Inflation Party with live entertainment, holiday characters and Santa on Sat, 11/17: 3-6pm at Hoyt and Summer St. (Stamford Downtown)