VERMONT STATE CALENDAR OF EVENTS: OCTOBER FOLIAGE CELEBRATIONS ABOUND

MONTPELIER, Vt., 2012-09-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — The month of October marks peak foliage and harvest festivals honor this dynamic change of seasons statewide. Here’s a sampler of the 250 events on VermontVacation.com this month:

SculptFest 2012
Now – October 21
West Rutland
The 25th anniversary exhibition features sculptural installations by regional and national artists on the theme “Keep on Keepin’ on.” www.carvingstudio.org

Vermont Symphony Orchestra Made in Vermont Music Festival
October 1
Castleton, Vt.
This foliage program includes Michael Haydn’s Symphony No.25 and High Water, a world premiere by UVM composer David Feurzeig, plus a piece for string orchestra by Shostakovich, and Schubert’s richly melodic Symphony No. 5; Anthony Princiotti conducting. www.vso.org

Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival
October 1-6
The Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival brings a piece of “Old Vermont” to life for visitors with local crafts, hymn sings, band concerts, church suppers and more. www.NEKchamber.com

Abbey Meaker Photo Exhibit: The Unseen
October 5-30
Vintage Inspired Lifestyle Marketplace is host to an exhibition entitled The Unseen,featuring Black and White and Color photography by Burlington artist Abbey Meaker. www.vintageinspired.net

Dead Creek Wildlife Day
October 6
Addison, Vt.
Count on a day with loads of family fun like bird banding, live critter displays, fishing instruction, handling hunting dogs, building bird boxes, decoy carving and much more. www.Vt.fishandwildlife.com

Merck Forest & Farmland Exhibit Opening
October 6
Plein air artist, George Van Hook has been painting through the seasons at Merck Forest.  His American Impressionist style is well-known regionally and nationally, and this series is particularly stunning. merckforest.org

36th Annual Jay Peak Arts & Craft Fair
October 6 -7
Westfield, Vt.
The Jay Arts & Craft Fest features 40 artisans selling basketry, candles, carvings, fibers, fine art, furniture, jewelry, glass crafts, photograph, quilting, woodworking and more. www.jayVt.com Also, on the menu is Jay Peak Resort’s Bean and Brew Festival on Saturday!

Weston Antiques Show
October 5-7
Weston, Vt.
This show brings 35 outstanding dealers to one of Vermont’s prettiest villages at the start of foliage season. From furniture to artwork, Oriental rugs to antique silver, you can find it all at the Weston Antiques Show. www.westonantiquesshow.org

Stowe Foliage Arts Festival
October 5-7
200 juried artisans exhibit and sell a wide range of contemporary and traditional craft work as well as original art, photography and sculpture. Enjoy a wide range of localvore items: wood-fired pizza, grass fed burgers, lobster rolls, sweet potato fries, local apple cider and more. www.craftproducers.com

51st Annual Foliage Art in the Park Festival
October 6-7
Rutland, Vt.
Explore the superior work of over 60 fine artists and crafts people. Handcrafted woodenware, clothing, pottery, jewelry, glass and more! Enjoy food and music while you shop! www.rutlandvermont.com

Harvest Weekend at Billings Farm & Museum
October 6-7
Woodstock, Vt.
Experience Vermont history at a traditional husking bee and lively barn dance. There’ll be hands-on activities too, including cider pressing, shelling corn, threshing grain and historic games. Spiced cider & homemade doughnuts. www.billingsfarm.org

42nd Annual Newfane Heritage Festival
October 6-7
Newfane, Vt.
Enjoy 90 juried arts, crafts, & specialty products under tents on the village green, plus homemade apple pies and apple crisp, outdoor food tent, flea market, children’s activities, and live music – with Vermont’s fall foliage all around. www.newfaneheritagefestival.blogspot.com

Open Studio Weekend
October 6-7
Statewide
Artistic creativity and the brilliant colors of Vermont autumn go hand-in-hand as a statewide network of nearly 120 craftspeople and artists open their studios to the public for Vermont’s Fall Open Studio Weekend. The Crafts Council publishes a free map booklet available at Vermont welcome centers and galleries that offers an easy way to plan your tour. www.vermontcrafts.com

Vermont Antique Festival
October 6-7
Quechee, Vt.
A 350-dealer outdoor antique show featuring furniture, sterling silver, civil war, estate jewelry, paintings, civil war, tools, ephemera, fine glass, primitives and more.  www.quecheegorge.com

30th Vermont Apple Festival & Craft Fair
October 6
Springfield, Vt.
The Vermont Apple Festival & Craft Show is a celebration of the fall harvest, with over 50 crafters, live entertainment, agriculture and activities for the whole family, and, of course, apples! www.springfieldVt.com

Stratton Mountain Harvest Fest, Brewfest and Chili Cookoff
October 6-7
Highlights include a free live show by Twiddle, guided hikes, wildlife exhibit, pumpkin painting, caricaturist, and an art class at the summit. Plus, enjoy golf and gondola rides. www.Stratton.com

15th Annual Mount Zion Hike
October 7
Hubbardton
Hike up Mount Zion with site interpreter Carl Fuller to enjoy the fall colors and aerial view of the Hubbardton battlefield and surrounding mountains.  Meet at the Visitor Center.  2:00 – 5:00 p.m. historicsites.vermont.gov

Dummerston Apple Pie Festival
October 7
Amid the smell of fresh apples, baked apples and hot cider in the air, enjoy some of Vermont’s best homemade apple pies.  Try with cheese or ice-cream, but by all means, try some.  Pies go on sale at 10:30 a.m. Call 802-257-0544 for more information.

Autumn on the Green
October 7
Danville, Vt.
With the feel of an old-fashioned exhibition, visitors roam among the plethora of wares and displays while musicians play from the bandstand.  100 vendors offer whimsical to practical items and feature Vermont specialty products and foods. Chicken and biscuit lunch too. www.travelthekingdom.com

Pumpkin Festival
October 7
Thetford, Vt.
Celebrate pumpkin season with horse-drawn wagon rides to and from the pumpkin patch, kid’s activities, face painting, live music, educational displays and self-guided farm tour, cooking demonstrations, and farm-fresh food.  www.cedarcirclefarm.org

19th Century Apple and Harvest Festival
October 7
Press cider in an antique press, sample cider, taste heirloom apple varieties, play period games, hike the lookout trail, play Valley Quest at the Justin Morrill Homestead. historicsites.vermont.gov

Docking of the Lois McClure
October 12
Vergennes
Celebrate Vermont’s history and the 1862-class sailing canal boat, the Lois McClure as it makes its way home from a successful summer journey educating and entertaining our friends in New York and Canada. www.lcmm.org

Jake Armerding at Chandler Music Hall
Randolph
October 13
The Boston Globe calls singer-violinist Jake Armerding “the most gifted and promising songwriter to emerge from the Boston folk scene in years.” A Community Potluck Supper is offered at 6 p.m. Free with dish contributed to the dinner. www.chandler-arts.org

2012 Community Center Jericho Barn Tour
October 13, 2012
Jericho, Vt.
Take a self-guided tour of more than 10 historic barns. Educational programs and presentations will also be offered throughout the day. Historic Antique tractors will be on the Jericho Town Green as well. http://communitycenterinjericho.com/Upcoming-Events.html

Green Mountain Marathon and Half Marathon
October 14, 2012
South Hero, Vt.
Run a gorgeous, gentle course along the colorful shores of the Champlain Islands. www.gmaa.net

Haunted Forest
October 20-21, 27-28
Williston, Vt.
The Haunted Forest combines outdoor theater, special effects and the spirit of Halloween to delight audiences of all ages. Mysterious guides lead guests through paths lit by more than 1,000 flickering Jack-O’-Lanterns as visitors encounter strange and fascinating characters. www.thehauntedforest.org

Ying Quartet Performs Beethoven
October 24
Burlington
The Ying Quartet performs Beethoven’s Opus 18, No. 4; Opus 59, No. 2; and Opus 132. The Ying Quartet occupies a position of prominence in the classical music world; their performances regularly take place in many of the world’s most important concert halls. www.burlingtonensemble.com.

Haunted Happenings
October 28
Shelburne, Vt.
Don your favorite costume from science fiction classics as Star Wars and The Jetsons to Start Trek and the Transformers, trick or treat at Museum buildings, and participate in activities for aliens of all ages. www.shelburnemuseum.org

More events across Vermont are listed in the Travel Planner of VermontVacation.com; please note event organizers can post events to this listing as well.  If your publication prefers more advance notice of events or has specific requests, please email jen.butson@state.Vt.us.

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