We’re going to steal an idea from the organizers of the two-day Harvest on the Canal celebration to help get you thinking about the upcoming season: “Fall isn’t officially fall until ... “
And you fill in the blank.
Obviously, they’d like you to plug in the Harvest on the Canal, and we’ve included some details below of what’s happening when the event kicks off Sept. 12 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Palmyra.
Here are 12 ideas of how you can fill in the blanks on your autumn to-do list.
Fall Fest at Pick’n Patch
Pick’n Patch at 2205 state Route, Stanley, will showcase the fall season through Saturday, Oct. 31. That means lots of pumpkins, a corn maze, cider doughnuts, farm animals, kid attractions and more.
Explore Victor Fest
The fifth annual Explore Victor Fest features more than 100 exhibits
and vendors and includes the opportunity to see a bunch of big trucks up close. The event is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in the village of Victor. Admission is free.
Harvest on the Canal Festival
This fall celebration of community will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Palmyra. A car show starts the fun at 9 a.m. Sept. 12, followed by live music, artisan vendors, food trucks and family activities throughout the weekend. For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/p/Harvest-on-the-Canal-61562981848237/ or https://waynecountyfair.org/harvest-on-the-canal/.
Tractors and more at Ionia Fall Festival
The 28th anniversary Ionia Fall Festival will be held all day long Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Ionia United Methodist Church grounds, 2120 Elton Road, just off Route 64 and north of Routes 5 and 20 in the West Bloomfield hamlet of Ionia. Tractors from all over western New York will participate in the 22nd annual parade, which begins at 1 p.m. Visitors will also have lots of activities, food and drinks to enjoy. For more information, visit www.ioniaumc.org.
Naples Grape Festival
The annual Naples Grape Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27, rain or shine, in the village. Visitors will be able to enjoy tastings and bottle sales from the producers of wines, craft beers, cider and distilleries. The main attraction on Saturday is the Naples Greatest Grape Pie Contest. There’s also plenty of live music and other activities throughout the weekend. For more details, visit https://naplesgrapefest.org/.
Fun on the Farm
Experience a working farm and meet the folks who provide their food to your table with all sorts of activities, including wagon tours, food tastings and more. The annual event is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Lawnhurst Farms, 4124 County Road 5, Stanley.
Devil Dash 5K in Victor
The annual Devil Dash 5K run and family and dog walk will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, starting at 91 Maple Ave., Victor. Registration fees go to the Victor Central Schools Educational Foundation, which supports the Field Trips Forever Fund, Technology for Today and Tomorrow Fund, The Art of Teaching Fund and the General Grant Fund. To register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Victor/VictorDevilDash5K.
Volksmarsch at the Shortsville Reindeer Farm
The volksmarsch traditionally is an organized, non-competitive walk through fields and forests with food, drink, and music the reward. That's what's planned at the Shortsville Reindeer Farm. A 5K and one-mile fun walk starts at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. Music, brats and beer follow. Registration is required. The event is a fundraiser for the Red Jacket Community Library.
Wayne County Apple Tasting Tour
Various businesses in Wayne County will be hosting the annual Wayne Apple Tasting Tour from Friday, Oct. 9, to Monday, Oct. 12. Participants will be able to taste and sample different apple varieties, foods and drinks along this self-guided tour. For details, visit https://www.appletastingtour.com/.
Leaf peeping from above at Bristol Mountain
The season’s spectacular fall colors will be at their peak at the Bristol Mountain Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 10. The family-friendly festival offers a variety of activities, entertainment, food and the star event of the day, sky rides. Bristol Mountain is at 5662 state Route 64, Canandaigua.
Fall Into Canandaigua
Family-friendly fall and Halloween festivities will take place throughout Downtown Canandaigua on Saturday, Oct. 24. In addition to exploring downtown shops and restaurants and bars, visitors will be able to learn more about community nonprofits that will be set up along Main Street.
Oktoberfest at the Lake House on Canandaigua
The third annual Oktoberfest celebration at the Lake House on Canandaigua will be held 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. This year’s event will include event partner Frequentem Brewing Co. as well as more participating breweries, live music, food, lawn games, and other German-inspired activities. Each ticket includes a commemorative Oktoberfest mug. For tickets, visit https://bit.ly/TLH_oktoberfest.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Celebrate the season at these 12 local fall events
