Vermont Calendar of Events for October 2009

Press Release source: Vermont Vacation.com

VermontVacation.com just created a press release, tailor-made for Vermont travelers and natives interested in events going on in October. With fall foliage, arts and crafts festivals, town common events, parades and Halloween-related events, to name a few, we think you're sure to find an event of interest. If you have any Vermont events you'd like to have covered at The Weekly New England Travel and Vacation gazette, drop us a line, and we'll consider your idea for publication.

Here is the VermontVacation.com press release for Vermont October events:

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- October is a busy time for fall festivals, and every weekend offers a variety of fun activities ranging from pumpkin carving contests to craft fairs. For a comprehensive, searchable listing of events, visit our Vermont Travel Planner. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening in October.

Fall Foliage Festival
Northeast Kingdom– October 1-3, 2009
Vermont villages invite visitors to celebrate rural life against a spectacular backdrop of orange, red and yellow leaves. The towns of Peacham, Barnet and Groton each host the festival for a day, in that order. For more information and an event schedule, visit www.nekchamber.com.

17th Annual Hildene Fall Arts Festival
Manchester – October 2-4, 2009
The 17th Annual Hildene Fall Art & Craft Festival features 200 booths showcasing art, crafts and specialty foods at scenic Hildene’s Meadow. Enjoy fresh food and live entertainment, and a Vermont Beer, Cheese and Sausage Tent. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. River Road. For more information, visit www.craftproducers.com.

Brattleboro Literary Festival
Brattleboro – October 2-4, 2009
The 8th Annual Brattleboro Literary Festival is an annual three-day celebration of the literary arts. The festival will feature readings, panel discussions and special events that showcase emerging and established authors, including Julia Glass, David Hackett-Fischer and Elinor Lipman. Held at various locations in downtown Brattleboro. All events are free. For more information and an event schedule, visit www.brattleboroliteraryfestival.org.
Weston Antiques Show

Weston – October 2-3, 2009
This event features renowned dealers from across the United States. Items include American and English furniture, accessories, Americana, folk art, silver, samplers, paintings, oriental rugs, jewelry and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weston Playhouse, Route 100. For more information, visit www.westonantiquesshow.org.

Brandon’s Harvestfest
Brandon – October 3, 2009
Enjoy making “Harvest People” (scarecrows, stick figures, leaf people) at this fun event, which also includes hay rides, pumpkins, a church bazaar and apple pie. Organizers supply you with all materials, accessories and instruction on how to make your own “Harvest Person.” 10 a.m. Central Park. For more information, visit www.brandon.org.

Southern Vermont Home Brew Festival
Bennington – October 3, 2009
The third annual Home Brew Festival includes tastings, food, demonstrations, vendors and live music. Homebrews judged by expert panel. Hosted by the Bennington Museum and sponsored by Madison Brewing Co. Noon to 4 p.m. Old Bennington Brush Building, South Street. For more information, visit www.benningtonmuseum.org.

Dead Creek Wildlife Day
Addison – October 3, 2009
Dead Creek Wildlife Day offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and other activities such as nature walks, soap carving and atlatl. Enjoy Native American hunting artifacts and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area, Route 17 west. For more information, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

Annual Mount Zion Hike
Hubbardton – October 4, 2009
Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Hubbardton Battlefield and the colors of autumn. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and bring water. Meet at the Visitor Center. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site, Hubbardton. For more information, visit www.historicvermont.org.

Autumn on the Green
Danville – October 4, 2009
Held on the first Sunday in October, Autumn on the Green is an award-winning showcase of more than 100 artisans, crafters and cottage industries amidst the spectacular views and color of autumn. The event includes demonstrations, live music, food and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Held at the Village Green and Town Hall. For more information, visit www.autumnonthegreen.com.

Stowe Foliage Arts Festival
Stowe – October 9-11, 2009
This annual event is widely known as a festive marketplace. In addition to the juried Fine Art and Craft exhibitors, the ambiance is fueled by diverse and delicious food fare, live entertainment, and an amazing array of kids’ activities. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.craftproducers.com.

Oktoberfest/Annual Harvest Art & Craft Show
West Dover – October 10-11, 2009
Enjoy Mount Snow’s annual Oktoberfest celebration, complete with authentic German music, German food and beer, fun games and activities for all ages. Inside the Main Base Lodge, artisans and crafters from across New England showcase fine watercolor paintings, woodwork, fleece, photography, fudge, salsa, kids’ crafts and more at the Annual Harvest Art & Craft Show. For more information, visit www.mountsnow.com.

Ludlow Annual Harvest Craft Fair
Ludlow – October 10, 2009
More than 40 juried crafters provide an early start for holiday gift shopping. Enjoy a variety of folk art, homemade jams and jellies, jewelry, children’s games and pumpkin painting. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Black River High School Gymnasium, Main Street. For more information, visit www.okemovalleyvt.org.

Annual Harvest Weekend
Woodstock – October 10-11, 2009
The Annual Harvest Weekend is a two-day event featuring a husking bee and barn dance each day plus a variety of 19th century harvest activities and programs for the entire family. Named a Top Ten 2009 Fall Event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Billings Farm & Museum, Route 12, Woodstock. For more information, visit www.billingsfarm.org.

South Hero Applefest & Craft Show
South Hero – October 10-11, 2009
Vermont’s largest apple festival includes free entertainment, music, flea market, cider pressing contest, crafts, petting zoo and plenty of apples. South Street. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.celebratechamplain.org.

Art in the Park Fall Foliage Festival
Rutland – October 10-11, 2009
Vermont’s oldest continuing arts tradition offers something for everyone with free children’s activities, musical entertainment, daily door prizes and grand prize drawings, food concessions, demonstrations, and high quality arts and crafts. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 Sunday. Main Street Park. For more information, visit www.chaffeeartcenter.org.
Annual Vermont Apple Festival & Craft Show

Springfield – October 10-11, 2009
The Vermont Apple Festival & Craft Show is a celebration of the fall harvest, with more than 50 crafters, live entertainment, agriculture and activities for the whole family, and, of course, apples. Wellwood Orchards is once again the official Vermont Apple Festival Orchard. They'll have bushels of red, juicy, ripe apples plus plump pumpkins, sweet cider and other delectable items of the harvest. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Riverside Middle School, Route 11. For more information, visit www.vtapplefestival.com.

Annual Tractor Parade
Charlotte – October 11, 2009
Enjoy antique and modern tractors make their way down Spear Street in East Charlotte. The event includes children’s games, hay rides, farmers’ market, food and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., parade starts at 1 p.m. For more information, visit http://tractorparade.com.
Dummerston Apple Pie Festival

Dummerston – October 11, 2009
For more than 40 years, the Dummerston Apple Pie Festival has been held on the Sunday of Columbus Day Weekend, the peak of colorful autumn foliage in southern Vermont. About 1,500 apple pies are made by many church members and friends, and people from all over the United States travel to Dummerston to take part in the festivities. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.dummerston.com.

Giant Pumpkin Regatta and Festival
Burlington – October 11, 2009
The annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta and Festival features local business leaders, students, and others racing in giant hollowed-out gourds on Lake Champlain in a competition of size and speed. The event includes food vendors, activities and entertainment on the Burlington Waterfront. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details, visit www.vermont.org/pumpkin.

Pumpkin Carving Festival
Manchester – October 17, 2009
Enjoy an afternoon of fun celebrating the fall harvest and pumpkin season. The event includes a corn maize, wagon rides, cider, donuts and a pumpkin carving competition. Noon to 8 p.m. Equinox Valley Nursery, Route 7A. For more information, visit www.manchestervermont.net.

Cabot Apple Pie Festival
Cabot – October 17, 2009
This annual event will feature pie judging, music, crafts, pumpkin carving, children’s activities, silent auction, food and pies for sale. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cabot School Gym, Main Street and Common Road (Route 215). For details, visit http://nek4u.net/cabothistory/ApplePie.html.

19th Century Apple and Harvest Festival
Strafford – October 18, 2009
Press cider in an antique press, taste heirloom apple varieties, meet John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed), make a scarecrow, sample cider, play period games, and more. Enjoy Vermont grown apples, apple treats and pumpkins from the garden, heirloom flower bulbs, and fresh pressed cider. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Justin Morrill State Historic Site. For more information, visit www.historicvermont.org.

Gilfeather Turnip Festival
Wardsboro – October 24, 2009
The Annual Gilfeather Turnip Festival celebrates the Gilfeather turnip, first propagated in Wardsboro in the early 1900s by John Gilfeather. The festival features live music, entertainment, Gilfeather turnip soup, turnip tastings, Gilfeather turnip cookbooks, crafts and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wardsboro Town Hall and vicinity. For more information, visit www.friendsofwardsborolibrary.org.

Haunted Forest
Williston – October 22-24, 29-31, 2009
The Haunted Forest features outdoor community theater set amidst the magic and enchantment of a dark forest. A pair of mysterious guides will lead guests through the Haunted Forest, and the flickering faces of more than 1,000 jack-o’lanterns light the dark trails. Visitors encounter strange and hilarious characters in a variety of Halloween-theme scenes. For details and an event schedule, visit www.thehauntedforest.org.

Haunted Happenings
Shelburne – October 25, 2009
Celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating, a costume contest, games and more at Shelburne Museum’s annual Halloween extravaganza. Enjoy nonstop activities at 20 buildings on the museum grounds. Haunted house and scary obstacle course, too. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.shelburnemuseum.org.

To find more great events happening in Vermont, search the Vermont Travel Planner at VermontVacation.com

Editor's note: To find Vermont lodging, compare rates, check availability and book a room at discount rates, please check out the VisitingNewEngland.com Vermont Hotels guide. If interested in reading a comprehensive, well-written book on Vermont travel, we recommend Vermont: An Explorer's Guide (Explorer's Guides)written by Diane E. Foulds