Here at New England Fall Events we've noticed that it really does feel like fall is in full swing--at long last! Even though we continue to have as few warm days, the evenings have turned cool and crisp--just the way we like it! Even the leaves are ever so slightly starting to show more autumn color.
This Saturday, September 16th is the very special American Girl Train Ride in Woonsocket, RI!
New England Fall Events had the pleasure of tagging along last year for this super sweet family event. The event kicks off 1 hour before train departure with the American Girl Red Carpet, photo opportunities and more. The hour-long train ride is packed with games, interactive entertainment, tasty treats, gift bags, special visits and you'll even receive an exclusive invitation for a private shopping event at the American Girl Store (Natick, MA) at a future date!
We wrote a big feature about our own train ride - Read "Our American Girl Train Ride Experience".
Although we already notified our winners for the American Girl Train Ride contest, a limited supply of tickets are still available for this Saturday so act fast so you won't miss the boat--er, train! Click for full details about this event.
Hidden Gem: Hartford's EnvisionFest is Delightful, Interesting and Family-friendly!
One of the most enjoyable fall festivals we attended last year was EnvisionFest which takes place right in Hartford, CT. Spread over a number of very walk-able blocks and a park in the downtown area, EnvisionFest is a lovely showcase of the arts and culture in the Hartford community. There is a full day of fun, family-friendly activities for you to enjoy. We saw everything from hands-on silkscreening lessons, puppet crafts, a lego area, art exhibits, live music, a street full of food trucks and much more. The "human foosball" game was riotous fun as was the giant Jenga and giant Chess games going on all day (and kudos to the organizers to have volunteers at these events to draw people in and even jump in to help them play).
We toured through the newly renovated Hartford Athenaeum and soaked up the vibrant and breathtaking foyer mural--just stunning!--and took time to browse the excellent art exhibits inside.
Families could take a ride on the antique carousel or step inside an inflated hot air balloon for an unusual photo. You could join an open air yoga class, try hula hooping, or kids could make their own giant Calder sculpture. Booths showcasing local artists and cultural events were truly terrific and so much thought and originality went into each one.Night Fall Hartford's fish-bicycle and giant puppets roaming the park were some of the highlights for us and it certainly inspired us to attend Night Fall's October 8th event.With events spread across the lovely park and inside of local buildings, everything was easy to access, well-marked, and offered something new. This was an under-the-radar event for us last year and we were beyond thrilled that we were able to check it out first-hand. It's well organized, jam-packed with something for everyone, and the festival shows the amount of heart that was put into planning something special for all. Click for event details.
Full Moon this Week--We'll help you find under-the-moonlight and stargazing events!
September is known as the Harvest Moon and those of us with CSA memberships can attest to nature's glorious bounty these past few weeks! As we're always encouraging folks to enjoy the beautiful fall weather while you can, jump at the chance to bask in the moon glow while enjoying special full moon events going on this fall.
Wednesday, September 14th
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA) Details
Thursday, September 15th
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA) Details
Full Moon Hike: Avondale Preserve (CT) Details
Full Moon Canoe Tour at Scarborough Marsh (ME) Details
Friday, September 16th
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA) Details
Full Moon Canoe Tour at Scarborough Marsh (ME) Details
"Harvest Moon" Full Moon Dinner at Sunday River (ME) - all ages Details
Saturday, September 17th
Evening Canoe for Adults at Wachusett Meadow (MA) Details
Apples! Apples! MORE Apples!
Kimball Fruit Farm in Pepperell, MA is picking Honey Crisp, McIntosh, Gala and they just added Cortland this week.
Carlson Orchards in Harvard, MA is picking raspberries as well as McIntosh and Gala apple varieties.
Doles Orchard in Maine is picking Paula Red, Sansa, Gingergold, Mollies Delicious, and McIntosh as well as PYO raspberries--they still need a few weeks for their Honey Crisp to be ready.
March Farm in Bethlehem, CT is picking Honey Crisps, McIntosh, Gala and Cortlands.
Lyman Orchards in CT is picking McIntosh, Honey Crisp, Cortland, Jonamacs, Gingergold, and Gala varieties. Even better, they've got PYO pears too (Asian Pears, Red Bartlett, and Bosc).
Of course, these are only 5 of the hundreds of New England PYO apple orchards of every size and shape so to make it super easy, New England Fall Events has your complete guides, features, maps, and contact details for your local or destination-area New England PYO apple orchards. Here are your quick links to our apple picking guides:Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
We've got one last chance to win a family pass to the Portsmouth Fairy House Tour but enter soon because this contests ends Friday! Click to find all contests can be found at our website New England Fall Events.
New England Fall Events' Top Recommendations for this Weekend's Fall Fun
With so many fun and charming events and festivals going every weekend it's tricky to whittle down our Top Picks to just a handful! Thankfully, you can find the complete list of terrific fall events listed for each New England state’s Fall & Activities and Food & Harvest Festival Guides on our website.
New England Fall Events' Top Recommendations for September 14th-20th, 2016
Mystic, CT Click for details
Thursday, September 15th, 2016
Click for more Moonlight, Stargazing, and Sunset Fall Events
21st Annual Taste of Jamaica Plain
Boston, MA Click for details
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Full Moon Canoe
Barnstable, MA Click for details
Friday, September 16th, 2016
Click for more Moonlight, Stargazing, and Sunset Fall Events
Bristol, RI Click for details
Friday, September 16th, 2016
British Invasion - A Three Day Celebration of All Things British
Stowe, VT Click for details
Friday through Sunday, September 16th-18th, 2016
Autism-Friendly Weekend at Edaville USA
Carver, MA Click for details
Friday through Sunday, September 16th-18th, 2016
West Springfield, MA Click for details
Friday, September 16th - Sunday, October 2nd, 2016
Plan ahead! Read New England Fall Events' "Complete Guide to The Big E"
Full Moon Foray at Ravenswood Park
Gloucester, MA Click for details
Friday, September 16th, 2016
Click for more Moonlight, Stargazing, and Sunset Fall Events
Full Moon Walk
Edgartown, MA Click for details
Greater Danbury Irish Festival
Danbury, CT Click for details
Friday through Sunday, September 16, 17 & 18th, 2016
NH Highland Games
Lincoln, NH Click for details
Friday through Sunday, September 16, 17 & 18th, 2016
Harry Potter Day at Escobar Farm
Portsmouth, RI Click for details
Saturday, September 16th (rain date: Sunday 9/17)
Woonsocket, RI Click for details
Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Read about our memorable experience in our article "Our American Girl Train Ride Adventure"
Envisionfest Hartford
Hartford, CT Click for details
Saturday, September 17, 2016
The Great Mark Twain Look-Alike Contest
Hartford, CT Click for details
Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Brattleboro Baconfest - Bacon, Brews, and Blues
Guilford, VT Click for details
Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Newington Waterfall Festival
Newington, CT Click for details
Saturday, September 17th 2016 (rain date is Sept 24)
Raspberry Festival at White Silo Winery
Sherman CT Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th, 2016
Bristol, RI Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 17th & 18th, 2016
Granite State ComiCon
Manchester NH Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 17th & 18th, 2016
Vermont Mac and Cheese Festival
Barre, VT Click for details
Saturday, September 17, 2016
13th Annual Revels RiverSing
Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Boxer Bash
Hopkinton, MA Click for details
Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Click for more dog-friendly Fall Events.
Housatonic Heritage Walk with Hilltop Orchards, home of Furnace Brook Winery
Richmond, MA Click for details
Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Heading out for some fall fun this weekend?
Need ideas for where to go? New England Fall Events’ state page maps are handy for scrolling and easily spotting farms near home or near your road-trip destination.
Orchard and fall attraction maps for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
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.
