Frozen Tea Party, Tomato, Peach, and Balloon Festivals, Fairyborough, and more! Our Top Events for August 19-25, 2015

Happy almost-end-of-summer fellow New Englanders!

  

Heirloom Tomatoes at Verrill Farm

Don't be sad, we're not kicking summer out the door yet but it's exciting that the signs of fall poking up around us!

There are so many festivals going on over the next few weekends leading up to Labor Day that we couldn't resist highlighting some wonderful, off-beat, under-the-radar activities you'll want to check out.

We have our Top Picks recommended at the end as we will continue to offer every week this fall. These are just a small handful of the 1000+ events going on this fall across New England.

You'll be thrilled to know that New England Fall Events has expanded its writing staff this season to make sure we are reporting to you on as many fall events and festivals as possible!

Fairyborough fun at Discovery Museums

New England Fall Events recently visited the Discovery Museums of Acton, MA to experience their Fairyborough activity first-hand. It was a joyful afternoon spent creating a tiny house of organic materials--leaves, petals, twigs, flowers, and more. Read about our visit to Fairyborough at The Discovery Museums.

We also stuffed our bellies on the incredible Salem Food Tour hosted by Karen Scalia. We reveled at the chance to dig a little deeper into the local food scene and unique stops on the tour. We can't recommend this food adventure enough! Read about our experience on the Salem Food Tour.

New England Berry, Tomato, Peach, and Apple Harvest Update

Peach Harvest at Carlson Orchards

In mid-August, peaches, raspberries, and tomatoes are front and center so keep your eyes peeled for local festivals such as the Peach Festival at NH's Apple Crest Orchards or Blackberry Festival at CT's White Silo Winery. New England Fall Events will be visiting the Tomato Festival this weekend at Red Fire Farm - stay tuned to read about our visit!

It's been exciting to see the early season apple harvest making an appearance at the local farmers' markets.  If Paula Reds, Ginger Golds, and Zestar are calling your name, you'll enjoy the handful of New England farms already offering pick-your-own-apples. Early season apples are usually crispy, a bit tart (yum!), and great for eating fresh.

Read about New England Fall Events' early apple picking experience last year at NH's DeMeritt Hill Farm. 

Early Apple Picking Starts in August

Many farms are still picking blueberries and raspberries have made their PYO debut for the season. Visit MA's Lanni Orchards and Kimball Fruit Farm   CT's Bishop's Orchards, or Maine's Doles Orchard to stock up on your raspberries!

Clarkdale Farms is picking apples and peaches right now as is VT's Champlain Orchards! These are just a handful of the many PYO orchards that are ready to welcome you so check out the New England Fall Events apple picking guides for every state in our region to help you make your plans. You can track farm locations on our interactive state maps too!

Here are quick links to the Apple Picking Guides for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

And while we're at it, here are your shortcuts to the maps for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Here are our recommended activities for August 19th-25th, 2015:

Hudson Balloon Fest 2015

Great Falls Balloon Festival - FREE
Lewiston and Auburn, ME   Click for details
Friday through Sunday, August 21st-23rd, 2015

Free Fun Friday! at the Discovery Museums - FREE
Acton, MA  Click for details
Friday, August 21st, 2015

Mahrajan Middle Eastern Festival
Manchester, NH  Click for details
Friday through Sunday, August 21st-23rd, 2015

Star Party at the Northern Skies Observatory
Peacham, VT  Click for details
Friday, August 21st, 2015

Mushroom Foraging in Mystic, CT

Dog Days at LL Bean Discovery Park - FREE
Freeport, ME  Click for details
Saturday, August 22nd, 2015

Tomato Festival at Red Fire Farm
Granby, MA  Click for details
Saturday, August 22nd, 2015

Taking the Mystery Out of Mushrooming
Smithfield, RI   Click for details
Saturday, August 22nd, 2015

Blackberry Festival at White Silo Winery - FREE
Sherman CT  Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, August 22nd & 23rd, 2015

PYO Raspberries across New England

Peach Festival at Applecrest Farm Orchards - FREE
Hampton Falls, NH  Click for details
Sunday, August 23rd 2015

Frozen Tea Party at the Ice Loft
Boston, MA Click for details
Sunday, August 23rd 2015

Kiddies Carnival - Boston Carnival Village
Boston, MA   Click for details
Sunday, August 23rd, 2015

BBQ Pulled Pork Competition at Alyson's Orchard
Walpole, NH    Click for details
Sunday, August 23rd 2015

Remember, always call ahead before heading out to PYO as some farms will adjust their hours for weather or they close to allow more time for fruit to ripen.