These fall festivals are a wonderful way to experience the cool autumn air, fall foliage and natural beauty of Pennsylvania. Spread across the region, one of these six festivals is probably close to you. I’ve had great experiences at all of them.
Steamtown’s Railfest and fall excursions, Scranton
September 1-2, 2012 9am-5pm
View visiting railroad equipment, displays, and exhibits in addition to the permanent railroad museum found at Steamtown. For an additional fee, take a train ride to Moscow and back, enjoying the beautiful fall scenery of the Nay Aug Gorge. Feeling hungry, hop on a free trolley to Lackawanna County Courthouse Square for Le Festa Italiana. If you can’t make it to Steamtown for railfest, you can still buy tickets for one of their other weekend train excursions to Moscow. Entry fee required. Visit Steamtown’s website for more information.
Lycoming County Rotary Club Festival, Lycoming County Fairgrounds, Hughesville
September 15, 2012 10am-9pm
Catch a ride on a tethered hot air balloon and see Lycoming County in a whole new way. Kids and adults love the air show and BMX stunt show. Food and craft vendors are set up for your eating and shopping enjoyment. Don’t miss the hot air balloon launch at 6 pm (weather permitting) and the beauty of glowing hot air balloons around 8pm. There is a small admission fee. Visit the Rotary Club’s website for more information.
Bloomsburg Fair, Bloomsburg
September 22-29, 2012 7am-9pm
Attend the largest agricultural fair in Pennsylvania. New for 2012, you can view the fairgrounds and lovely fall foliage from a permanent chair lift ride crossing the fairgrounds. Enjoy entertainment on the free stage, purchase tickets for a Grand Stand show, walk through barns full of farm animals, and stroll through the exhibits. Find your favorite food stalls and eat your way across the grounds. Try to win that giant prize at one of the game stands. Shop at hundreds of craft stalls. There is a fee for parking and admission. Additional fee for rides. Visit the Bloomsburg Fair website for more information.
Pumpkin Fall Festival, Rohrbach’s Farm Market, Catawissa
September 29, October 5,6,8,12,12,19,20,26,27 2012 11am-7pm
This family friendly festival centers around Rohrbach’s working farm. Enjoy a hayride, pick your own pumpkin, and explore a corn maze. Various crafters and vendors on site, as well as many children’s activities and small carnival rides. Take home a delicious homemade pie or apple cider. There is a fee for some activities. Visit Rohrbach’s website for more information.
Covered Bridge Festival, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg
October 4-7, 2012 10-6pm
With free parking, free admission, and free entertainment, you’ll have plenty of money left to spend at over three hundred and fifty craft, artist, and food stands. Bring the whole family, as Knoebels’ rides operate all four days. New for 2012 are live animals, including donkeys, ducks, red deer, and alpaca. For a fee, you can take a bus tour of the local covered bridges. Visit the Columbia-Montour website for more information.
Fall Foliage Weekends, Jim Thorpe
October 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 2012
Enjoy free live music and special events as you walk through historic downtown Jim Thorpe. Many crafters, artists, and food vendors set up along the streets. As the name suggests, the colorful leaves on the mountains surrounding Jim Thorpe provide an elegant backdrop. For a fee, you can also take an hour train ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. Visit Jim Thorpe’s website for more information.
