Pirates, Dragons, Rubber Ducks, Pups, BBQ, Apple Pie, and Seafood: Top New England Fall Events for Sept 3-9, 2014

This is it--the moment you've been waiting for: Fall has arrived in New England!

Okay, please don't get technical on us. We know that Sept 22nd is the official day but we can all agree that once Labor Day is in the proverbial books, we all have turned the corner on summer. 

Before we know it, the leaves will start to turn--some already are--and all of New England's glory will be on full display.

Here are New England Fall Events' Top Ten Reasons to Be Happy Summer is Over in New England. And if we missed your favorite reason, go ahead and tell us your additions in the comments section!

Lost in the Wizard of Oz maze in RI.

Over the long weekend, the weather could not have been more perfect for some classic fall activities—and that’s exactly how New England Fall Events spent the time. 


We followed the yellow brick road through Escobar Farm’s charming Wizard of Oz-themed corn maze in Portsmouth, RI. 

Read about our adventure getting lost in Oz and discover what you can expect at Escobar's terrific outdoor activity here. As always, we list our family tips if your little ones are in tow.

DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee, NH

We road-tripped up to Lee, NH for a visit to DeMeritt Hill Farm where we were treated to a breathtakingly scenic hayride, carrot cake, the creamiest of chocolate confections, and picked the tastiest Zestar! apples that you ever did bite into. Take a moment to read why early-season apple picking at DeMeritt is a peaceful, crowd-free affair worth your time and attention. Dog lovers will be happy that you can bring along your furry friend!

While we're talking carrot cake, we love this New England twist on a classic carrot cake using our beloved New England resource--maple syrup!

New England Fall Events' Top Recommendations for this Weekend's Fall Fun

Hayrides are just one of many fun
fall activities at Verrill Farm Day

Fall activities and events are really kicking into high gear this weekend with many distinctive events competing for our attention. 

We’ll always list our top event picks below but we also encourage you to visit your state’s Fall and Activities guide or Food and Harvest Festival Guide for many more wonderful, worthwhile events and food festivals.

Here are our recommended activities for September 3-9th:

Eastport Pirate Festival - FREE
Eastport, ME   Click for event details.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Sept. 5^th-7^th, 2014

Rhode Island Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival - FREE
Pawtucket, RI
Saturday, Sept 6^th, 2014 Click for event details.

Farm Day, BBQ, and Apple Pie Contest at Verrill Farm- FREE
Concord, MA
Saturday, Sept 6^th, 2014 Click for event details.

Read why New England Fall Events calls Verrill Farm Day a perfect fall family event.

Hampton Beach Seafood Festival

Hampton, NH    Click for event details.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Sept 5th-7th, 2014

Brass City Brew Fest

Waterbury, CT   Click for event details.

Saturday, Sept. 6th, 2014

River Ruckus and Rubber Duck Regatta - FREE
Haverhill, MA   Click for event details.
Saturday, Sept 6^th, 2014 

Norwalk Oyster Festival

Norwalk, CT   Click forevent details.

Saturday, Sept 6^th, 2014

Harvest Festival Weekend at Pietree Orchard - FREE

Sweden, ME   Click for event details.

Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7th, 2014

Galilee Seafood Festival - FREE

Narragansett, RI   Click for event details.

Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7th, 2014

Pet Rock Festival- Pet-lover's pick of the weekend!
Sturbridge, MA   Click for event details.
Sunday, Sept. 7^th, 2014

Vermont State Fair
Rutland, VT   Click for event details.

Now through Sunday, Sept. 7^th, 2014

Apple Festival, 5K Trail Run, and Kids Fun Run at Scott's Yankee Farmer

East Lyme, CT   Click for event details.Sunday, Sept.7^th, 2014

Full Moon Hike at Niquette Bay State Park VT
Colchester, VT  Click for event details.
Monday, Sept 8th, 2014

Itching for a road trip? Circle these wonderful events coming up later this month:

Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival
Provincetown, MA  Click for festival details.
Thursday-Sunday, Sept 25-28th, 2014
New England is fortunate to host an annual festival as special and acclaimed as this one! 
We know that a trip to beloved and charming P-Town can take a little extra planning so here's your official heads up to buy your festival pass and line up your housing if you plan to stay the weekend. New England Fall Events will be there at the festival this season and we hope you will join us! If you do, seek us out and say hello!

Wild Mushroom Festival
Mystic, CT  Click for event details
Sunday, 28th, 2014

If you fancy yourself a mushroom lover, you will not want to miss this insanely delicious and educational fungi festival.
Read about this festival in our piece "Fit for Foodies - Wild Mushroom Festival" where you can learn about what to expect, see photos, and find out our festival-goer and family tips for getting the most out of your trip. 

New England Fall Events picked many
Zestar! apples in NH last weekend

Heading out apple picking this weekend? New England Fall Events has done all the research for and compiled guide, features, maps, and contact info for your local or vacation-area New England PYO apple orchards. Here are your quick links to the apple picking guides:

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

For the more visually-driven folks, New England Fall Events allows you to scroll and spot farm locations on the interactive state maps too. 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.