My Favorite Time of Year

Anyone who knows me well knows that fall is my favorite time of year. There is something about the crispness in the air and the beautiful changing leaves that is truly invigorating to me. I love making sure that our family gets to experience all that fall has to offer, so you can find our calendar chock full of local events and fall traditions. Here are a list of some of those events and traditions…

[typography font=”Delius Swash Caps” size=”20″ size_format=”px”]Corn Mazes[/typography]

There are some great corn mazes and farms across VT that all promise great family fun! A few to check out are:

*Sam Mazza’s corn maze and pick your own pumpkins (Colchester)- This is a must visit for fall! They have a great 3.2 mile corn maze that will thoroughly entertain the kiddos. You can pick up some yummy baked goods before you begin the maze to increase your stamina and endurance 🙂 They also have wagons that take you out to their pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkins. These are both great annual fall activities that the family will love!

You can find more information at www.sammazzafarms.com/

*Percy’s corn maze (Stowe)- This is a great corn maze for older children, as the corn is very high and the maze can be somewhat complex. It takes an average of 45 minutes to complete and there are 2 options; easy and challenging. It is open daily from 11-5pm.

*Hathaway Farm and corn maze (Rutland)- This wonderful farm has the largest corn maze in VT! On Saturdays they keep the maze open until 9pm so you can try and find your way under the stars. There is also an opportunity to pick your own pumpkins in their pumpkin patch, and visit their livestock barn. This farm is closed on Tuesdays.

You can find more information at hathawayfarm.com

[typography font=”Delius Swash Caps” size=”20″ size_format=”px”]Apple Picking [/typography]

Check out these orchards for some great apple picking fun!

*Shelburne Orchards (Shelburne)- You can pick your own apples along the shores of Lake Champlain at this orchard in Shelburne. There is a great rope swing with some hay bales and a slide built into a hill for the kiddos. Make sure to visit their shop for some amazing cider donuts!

You can find more information at www.shelburneorchards.com

*Chapin Orchard (Essex)- This great orchard offers pick your own apples, a store of delicious goodies, wagon rides on the weekends, farm animals, and more! Open 7 days a week.

You can find more information at www.chapinorchard.com

*Adams Apple Orchard (Williston)- You can ride on tractors, pick apples, and watch cider being pressed. This orchard is open 7 days a week.

You can find more information at www.upickvermont.com

*Champlain Orchard (Shoreham)- At this orchard you can pick your apples with stunning lake views! I’ve also heard that at the end of apple season (late October) they have a fill your truck event where you can fill the back bed of your truck with apples for $50. Now that is a deal!

You can find more information at www.champlainorchards.com/

[typography font=”Delius Swash Caps” size=”20″ size_format=”px”]Festivals and Events[/typography]

Below are some great, local events that need to find a way to make it onto your calendars!

*Sam Mazza’s Harvest Festival- Saturday, September 29th and Sunday, September 30th, 11-4pm.

Mazza’s celebrates fall by holding their annual Fall Festival. There is lots of family friendly entertainment such as hay rides to the fields to pick your own pumpkins, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, fall games & their famous Corn Maze  You can also enjoy their yummy treats like pumpkin pie, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin fudge,and their own apple pies & cider.

You can visit their website for more information. www.sammazzafarms.com/

*The Giant Pumpkin Regatta (Burlington)- Sunday, October 7th, 10-3pm.

This event features a giant pumpkin regatta with community members racing giant hollowed out pumpkins on Lake Champlain. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before! There is also a family friendly festival that includes local food vendors providing yummy fall food, craft vendors, kids’ activities, pie eating contests, and a fall inspired pet costume contest!

You can find more information at www.LLLvt.org/pumpkin

*Haunted Forest (Williston)- This great event takes place every October on the grounds of the Catamount Outdoor Family Center. The Haunted Forest combines outdoor theater, special effects, the magic of the night forest, and the spirit of Halloween to delight audiences of all ages.  Mysterious guides lead guests through the dark forest, where paths are lit by over 1,000 flickering Jack-O’-Lanterns. Throughout their journey, visitors encounter strange and fascinating characters in a variety of scenes befitting the Halloween season. The show dates are below:

Evening Shows:

• Friday, Oct. 19th
  7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm
• Saturday, Oct. 20th
  6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm
• Thursday, Oct. 25th
  7pm, 8pm, 9pm
• Friday, Oct. 26th
  7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm
• Saturday, Oct. 27th
  6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm
• Sunday, Oct. 28th
  6pm, 7pm, 8pm
• Evening Shows: $12.50

Children’s Matinee Shows:

• Saturday, Oct. 27th
  11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm
• Children’s Matinee Shows: $8.50

You can find more information at http://www.thehauntedforest.org/

*Halloween Costume Parade and Festival on Church St. (Burlington)- Saturday, October 27th, 10:30-1pm

This is a great event that the kids will love! They can dress up in their favorite costume and trick-or-treat at local stores in the mall and on Church St. The event ends with the costume parade at noon.

*Haunted Happenings at Shelburne Museum- Sunday, October 28th, 10-1pm

Don your favorite costume from such science fiction classics as Star Wars and The Jetsons to Star Trek and the Transformers. Trick-or-treat at Museum buildings and participate in activities for aliens of all ages.

*Moonlit Wagon Rides at Shelburne Farms- Saturday, November 3rd

A moonlit evening is a great time to get outside and enjoy Shelburne Farms by horse drawn wagon ride! Celebrate this magical time of year with light snacks and activities back at the education center before or after your ride.

Times: 5:15 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:45 pm, 7:30 pm

Fee: $10/adults $7/children under 12

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 802-985-8686

[typography font=”Delius Swash Caps” size=”20″ size_format=”px”] So what are some of your fall traditions or must attend events that are not on my list?[/typography]