The leaves are changing and the breeze is becoming more crisp, which can only mean one thing: Fall is here.
And with fall comes a breadth of festivals featuring Maine-grown and Maine-made products, all at their peaks. This weekend, several fairs will highlight the state’s autumn offerings, including Harvest Daze in Sanford, the Shaker Hill Apple Festival in Alfred and Punkinfiddle at Wells Reserve.
Next weekend will feature the Acton Apple Festival, marking its 25th year. After that, the Maine Cheese Guild’s annual Open Creamery Day will feature local cheeses on Sunday, Oct. 7. Locally, the Flying Goat Farm, also in Acton, will participate.
Fall in Maine is a beautiful time with many activities: Festivals and fairs, haunted hayrides, and pumpkin and apple picking at local farms. All of these events are great opportunities for families to get outdoors, taste Maine-grown produce and support local farms and businesses. Those who prefer the cityscape can even find a festival to their liking, as Chalk on the Walk will take place in Biddeford on Saturday, featuring a number of children’s activities and artwork, too.
At Harvest Daze, people can watch members of the Red Star Pilots Association do their best to strike a target with a pumpkin on Number One Pond Saturday. Later in the day, teams will paddle giant, hollowed-out pumpkins on Number One Pond during the Giant Pumpkin Regatta. There will also be children’s activities and entertainment throughout the day.
In Wells, the 10th annual Punkinfiddle festival will be held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm on Saturday. The festival features old-time games, traditional arts, music, activities, food and farm animals. Wells Reserve is a national estuarine research reserve, which protects 2,250 acres along the Maine coast. Punkinfiddle is one of many events for families held at the site throughout the year.
The Shaker Hill Apple Festival in Alfred showcases the town’s farming and Shaker history through many demonstrations and exhibits at the Friends of Alfred Shaker Museum on Saturday and Sunday. From basket weaving to broom making, the Shaker’s historic crafts will be on display, teaching generations about the way life used to be. At Giles Family Farm at Notre Dame Orchards, people can pick apples and pumpkins and visit the farm store for other locally grown specialties.
Events are also held on the grounds of York County Shelter Programs.
Beyond the festivals, fall in Maine is a great time to get out and walk a trail with views of the famed, multi-hued foliage. We hope area residents and visitors will take the time to stop and enjoy the view.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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