Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Garlic Fest, Jousting, Salmon Festival, BBQ and Brew Fest, Dragon Boats, Contests and more: New England Fall Events Top Picks for Aug 31st-Sept 6

The moment you've been waiting for: Fall has arrived in New England!

Okay, okay, we know that September 23rd is the "official" first day but New Englanders can all agree Labor Day is when we turn the corner on summer and embrace our favorite season--fall!  

NEW CONTESTS: Win Tickets to the Portsmouth Fairy House Tour and Boston Indie Game Festival
In case you missed it, we've posted TWO new contests for this week!
The Boston Festival of Indie Games on Sept 10th is a day-long indoor event showcasing local tabletop and digital game designers from the New England area. Test out prototypes, offer your feedback about gameplay, get a sneak peak on soon-to-be-released games, meet game designers, graphic artists, and learn about the thriving local game industry! New England Fall Events visited this event last year (avid tabletop game players ourselves) and came away inspired by the inventiveness and creativity our fellow New Englanders are contributing to the game world. It's a family-friendly event but we think it's suitable for teens and older. Enter to WIN to tickets to the event in Cambridge, MA. (Contest ends 9/6).

Who doesn't love the magic of fairy houses? We've learned through the years that our New England Fall Events fans are as into these miniature, nature-inspired, fantastic little homes as much as we are!

The Portsmouth NH Fairy House Tour (Sept 24th & 25th) sets the bar very high with their 200+ fairy houses on display on the picture-perfect Starwberry Banke woods and gardens--and it's all right in our backyard! We're giving away a FAMILY Pass (4 people) to the this year's Fairy House Tour and we'll pick two winners! No limit entry! Click here to enter.


It's Garlic Weekend in Southern Vermont!
If you are a garlic-lover and an adventurous eater, the Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival is a super place to visit this Saturday and Sunday! This family-friendly annual festival is packed with interesting garlic treats - garlic ice cream and garlic margaritas!--and also plenty of non-garlic food, bouncy houses, local foods, entertainment, pizza, jams, pepper jellies, hot sauces, maple syrup, jugglers, and more.
New England Fall Events' Deb Wojcicki ventured to this delicious event last year and shared her experience with us all at "Celebrating the 'Stinky Rose' at Vermont's Garlic and Herb Festival."

Pawtucket Dragon Boat Race and Taiwan Day Festival coming up this Saturday, Sept. 3rd
One of our favorite fall events in New England is coming up this Saturday--The RI Dragon Boat Race and Taiwan Day Festival. It's a free festival full of family-friendly activities and performances. 
The Boston Chinese Folk Art Workshop showcases traditional dances, demonstrations, and other folks arts (video left) which are a feast for the eyes and ears. Anyone can sign up to participate in the hilarious dumpling eating contest (our video here

If you'd like to see even more wonderful performance clips from the festival, visit the New England Fall Events You Tube Channel. We have videos of the Dragon Boat Race, the Joyful Celebrations Dance, the Peacock DanceSpears and Sleeves, and The Beating of the Drums

The dragon boat races take place at scheduled intervals during the morning and afternoon alongside other festivities taking place on the stage under the tent. If you're headed out to this joyful event, read about our visit to this memorable festival complete with insider tips for you to help you get the most from the experience.

"Pawtucket Comes Alive with Dragon Boats and Chinese Folk Art at Rhode Island's Taiwan Day Festival."

King Richards' Faire Opening Weekend! New England Fall Events has you covered
If you've never been to King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA then you're missing out on a a rite of passage for this annual New England fall festivals. Even if you're not exactly sure what you are getting into, we insist give it a try at least once and we're certain you'll have a great time. This festival is large (80 acres) in scale yet manages to maintain it's charm through the heartfelt community of performers and longtime Faire devotees that bring so much energy, enthusiasm, and joy to the day.

With plenty of shade beneath the tall pines, a variety of food options (beyond the requisite turkey leg), dozens of theatrical performances and jousting displays all day long, it's a relaxing way to spend a fall day. Wherever we went we heard music, singing, dancing, and laughter - what could be better than that? It's a big event and we recommend a little planning ahead to know what kind of a day to plan for. Check out our article "King Richard's Renaissance Faire Offers Costumed Charm and Good Cheer" for festival tips, planning for a family-friendly outing, and more.

What has New England Fall Events been up to lately?
Last week New England Fall Events headed out to lovely Verrill Farm in Concord, MA to feast our eyes and bellies at their late-summer Field to Fork Harvest Dinner - oh what a treat it was!
Here are just some of the highlights: Lobster and Corn Cakes with Remoulade Sauce, Grilled Flank Steak with Thai Vegetable Slaw, Corn and Tomato Risotto, Gazpacho, Corn Spoonbread, and Grilled Rosemary Pound Cake with Stone Fruite Compote--and yes, there was even more than was listed here if you can imagine!

If you missed out on this sold-out event this time around, you can still buy tickets for their October 21st "Field to Fork: Candlelight Harvest Dinner". Reservations are an absolute must!

Where is New England Fall Events headed this weekend?
Circled on our calendar for this weekend is Monday's 31st Annual Bread and Roses Festival in Lowell, MA and we might be able to swing through to enjoy Powisset Farm's Pig Roast as well!

New England Fall Events' Top Recommendations for this Weekend's Fall Fun
We’ll always list our Top Picks for the weekend but you find even MORE listed under your state’s Fall and Activities Guide or Food and Harvest Festival Guides on our website.

Here are our recommended activities for August 31 - September 6, 2016

Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
Edgartown, MA     Click for details
Wednesday, August 31st, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events

Explore the Night Sky
Martha's Vineyard, MA    Click for details
Thursday, September 1st, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Stargazing Fall Events

Rhythm & Roots Festival
Charlestown, RI      Click for details
Friday through Sunday, September 2nd-4th, 2016

Stargazing Night At Frosty Drew Observatory
Charlestown, RI       Click for details
Friday, September 2nd 2016
Click for more Moonlight, Stargazing, and Sunset Fall Events

King Richard's Renaissance Faire
Carver, MA    Click for details
Saturdays and Sundays, September 3rd-October 23rd, 2016
Find everything you want to know about the KRF experience in our  article "King Richard's Renaissance Faire Offers Costumed Charm and Good Cheer"

RI Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival
Pawtucket, RI       Click for details
Saturday, September 3rd, 2016
Read about New England Fall Events' memorable visit to the Dragon Boat Festival

Bow Wow Bark in the Park
Bristol, CT     Click for details
Saturday, September 3rd, 2016
Click for more dog-friendly Fall Events.

Apple Days at the Onion River Campground
Plainfield, VT     Click for details
Saturday, September 3rd, 2016

Eastport Salmon and Seafood Festival
Eastport, ME     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd & 4th, 2016

Blues, Views, and BBQ Festival
Westport, CT      Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd & 4th, 2016

Mount Snow Brewers Festival
Dover, VT     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd & 4th, 2016

Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival
Bennington, VT    Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd & 4th, 2016

Powisset Pig Roast
Dover, MA   Click for details
Monday, September 5th, 2016

Annual Bread and Roses Heritage Festival 
Lawrence, MA     Click for details
Monday, September 5th, 2016

Heading out apple picking this weekend? New England Fall Events has researched and confirmed 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:

Looking for PYO farms in your neck of the woods? New England Fall Events' state maps allow you to scroll to find farm locations on the interactive maps-so easy! Find orchard, farm and attraction maps for ConnecticutMaineMassachusettsNew HampshireRhode 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.

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