Fall Fantastic:: Burlington’s Top Fall Activities!

It’s here, and none too soon!  It was a great summer but truth be told I’m ready to say goodbye to the humidity and pack away the bathing suits.  It’s time to shake out the jeans, pull out the light sweaters from the cedar chest and dust off the crockpot for some cool air cooking.

Fall is here and all the loveliness that goes with it.  Pumpkins, apples, and cider…oh my!  There’s a lot to do this season and we don’t want you to miss any of it.  So here is a brief list of some of the more popular and obscure happenings in and around the Burlington area.

[typography font=”Satisfy” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]FESTIVALS & EVENTS[/typography]

Sam Mazza’s Harvest Festival (Colchester)- Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6^th, 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.

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:  October 24^th @ 7,8,9pm  ::  October 25^th @ 7,8,9,10pm  ::  October 26^th @ 6,7,8,9,10pm
• Matinee Shows:  October 26^th @ 11am, 12 & 1pm (for children)

Halloween Costume Parade and Festival on Church St. (Burlington)- Saturday, October 26th, 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.

Charlotte Tractor Parade – Sunday, October 13^th, 11 – 5pm

The first East Charlotte Tractor Parade was held in 2001.  Since it’s humble beginnings it has grown into an annual Fall Festival that signals the end of the harvest season, celebrates the farming tradition, and provides the community to share in their love of tractors.  The event includes a pie eating contest, local music, a farmer’s market, pony rides, and, of course, the parade!  If your little one loves anything that goes vroom, then this is the event to go to.

Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In @ Sam Mazza’s  – Saturday, October 12^th

Watch 2 dozen pumpkins roll in for the heavy weight title.  Talk about a ton of fun!  Visitors can also enjoy a mug of spiced  VT Apple Cider, hay rides, and a maze for the kids.

Stowe Oktoberfest, October 4 th –  6th

Yes, Oktoberfest!  This annual Bavarian festival is held in Stowe’s Jackson area and is fun for the whole family.  It’s got a little something for everyone; brews, oompah bands, german foods, face and pumpkin painting and a parade.

Vermont Pumpkin Chunckin Festival, (Stowe) – Sunday, September 29, 11am – 4pm

This festival has been going on for 5 years already and yet I’ve not heard of it before.  It takes place at the Stoweflake Resort and Spa and is a one day event where contestants create devices to launch pumpkins.  Are you a DIY mechanical guru?  Do you love pumpkins?  What an incredible combo!  Along with flying pumpkins there will be a chili cookoff, music, and mini-olympics.

[typography font=”Satisfy” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]CORN MAZES[/typography]

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!

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.

Great Vermont Maze (Danville) – If you’re looking for a good maze to get lost in, how about one of the Top 10 Maze Attractions in America?  Located on a dairy farm in North Danville (think almost to St.Johnsbury), the maze is completely new every year and this is their 15^th year!  Along with the maze you can enjoy the barnyard animals, their haunted attraction, and yummy fall food.  Check out their website for more details, they even have a coupon for admission.

[typography font=”Satisfy” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]APPLE PICKING[/typography]

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!

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.

Allenholm Farm (South Hero) – Looking for a nice drive on a fall day?  Then drive over to the Islands and stop by Allenholm Farm, pick some apples (they have over 20 different varieties) and maybe visit the petting zoo.

Hacketts Orchard (South Hero) – Also located in the Islands, Hacketts has 47 varieties of apples, fresh cider and cider donuts, vegetables, pumpkins, and VT maple syrup.  Enjoy the picnic and play area, wagon rides, and orchard tours.

So there you have it.  Our top picks for fantastic fall fun!  What have I missed?  Where do you and your families like to go during the fall to celebrate?