6 New England towns to visit in September
Looking for fun ways to usher in autumn? Here are a few.
As summer comes to an end, many towns across the region are celebrating fall with outdoor fairs and festivals.
Ahead, discover six local towns worth visiting in September.
Rub elbows with animals in New Boston, N.H.
You can get up close to alpacas, sheep, and goats, or watch horse and owl shows at the 62nd annual Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair, taking place Sept. 6-8 at the Hillsborough County Youth Center Fairgrounds. Other highlights of the weekend include carnival rides, live music, tractor and oxen pulls, carnival treats, baking contests, and locally made products. Stick around for exhibits full of vegetables, woodworking, and local photography. You can also take photos with N.H. Miss Agriculture USA. On Saturday, fireworks will light up the night sky.
View classic cars in East Haven, Conn.
If you like classic cars, you’re in for a treat at the 28th annual East Haven Fall Festival, taking place Sept. 6-8 on the East Haven Town Green. A classic car show is just one of the many attractions this year. Visitors will enjoy rides, food vendors, a craft fair, and live music that includes The Grass Roots, Men of Soul, and the award-winning East Haven High School Co-op Marching Band. There will also be a special area full of activities, just for teens.
Taste plenty of beer in Portland, Maine
At Oktoberfest Portland (Sept. 7 at Thompsons Point), you’ll find more than 40 local, regional, and German brewers pouring over 100 different beers. Your ticket includes a tasting glass and an unlimited amount of 4-ounce pours. Guests will listen to German-inspired music, eat German-inspired food (sausage and brats, anyone?), and take part in various games and competitions. This is a rain or shine event. Vsitors must be 21 to attend.
The Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair in New Boston, N.H.
Celebrate fall at the beach in Westerly, R.I.
Enjoy seaside views as you celebrate fall at Misquamicut FallFest, taking place at Misquamicut State Beach Sept. 13-15. Bring your appetite to the “food truck rodeo,” which will serve up everything from clam cakes and chowder to gyros and fried dough. You can hop on a carnival ride before shopping through more than 50 crafters and vendors, who’ll sell candles, jewelry, and bamboo clothes. Not convinced? Maybe a classic car show will be more your speed. Kids’ entertainment will include magicians and princesses. You can also meet Tom Wopat of “Dukes of Hazzard” fame, set to play music and greet fans.
Eat apples in Boxford
You won’t be disappointed by the apple-oriented treats at the Boxford Apple Festival, taking place Sept. 21 on Elm Street and Topsfield Road. You can bite into apple pie, apple cider doughnuts, candied apples, apple crisp, and more. The day will include kids’ activities, local crafters, live music, community displays, and tours of the 1760 Holyoke-French House.
Attend seven days of fall festivals in Vermont
If you love fall festivals, here’s your chance to attend seven in a row. During the final week of September in Vermont, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5, the Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival will feature a diffferent fall festival for every day of the week, in seven local towns. Fests offer live music, arts and crafts, historical tours, horse and wagon rides, church suppers, children’s activities, fall foods, and – of course – leaf peeping. Here’s where to find the fun: in Marshfield on Sept. 29; Walden on Sept. 30; Cabot on Oct. 1; Plainfield on Oct. 2; Peacham on Oct. 3; Barnet on Oct. 4; and Groton on Oct. 5.
