Heirloom apple tasting
DUMMERSTON- Scott Farm orchard manager Zeke Goodband will open to the public the farm's packing barn on Sunday, Oct. 13 for Heirloom Apple Day, the farm's annual heirloom-apple-tasting celebration.
Goodband will offer tastings of a select group of more than 90 varieties of apples while sharing information and lore about the fruit.
Informational sessions will take place at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.
The farm is located at 707 Kipling Rd. For more information, call 802-254-6868 or visit scottfarmvermont.com/heirloom-apples/apple-tasting-day.
Cider sale benefits junior high students
MARLBORO- The annual Cider Sale takes place on Columbus Day weekend (Saturday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Oct. 13) on the green at the junction of Route 9 and South Road, next door to Applewoods studio.
“Look for the large white tents and families at work, pressing fresh cider as you watch!” writes Kelly Salasin.
Also for sale under the tents: cheddar from Grafton Village Cheese, homemade apple pie, other locally baked goods, and cider, to enjoy onsite or to take home.
The Cider Sale has been a town tradition for 35 years, raising funds for education. This year's fundraiser benefits the members of the Marlboro Elementary School junior high class and their field studies in Washington D.C. in 2014 and Costa Rica in 2015.
German weekend at Mount Snow
WEST DOVER- The Mount Snow Oktoberfest boasts an array of German-themed activities on Saturday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Oct. 13.
Visitors will enjoy a constant serenade of German music, provided by the Oberlaendler Hofbrau Band.
Oktoberfest also features kids' activities, including arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, face painting, a hay pile, and the new “schnitzel toss.” Adults can compete in the keg toss, horseshoe tournament, and stein holding.
An assortment of German-style beers and a wide selection of favorite brews will be available for tasting and purchase.
All adults 21 and older will receive a souvenir pint glass and a free drink during the event.
Adult prices are $25 for a one-day pass and $35 for a two-day; one- and two-day passes for youths, seniors, and designated drivers cost $12 and $20, respectively. Tickets purchased online receive a $5 discount.
Harvest fair at base lodge
WEST DOVER- This year's Harvest Arts and Crafts Fair at Mount Snow will feature the work of local artisans, specialty-food makers, and more.
Located throughout the Main Base Lodge, the free event features original works of art, handmade jewelry and furniture, and homemade fudge. The purveyors will be on hand to talk about their work and products.
The show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 12 and 13.
For more information, call Mount Snow at 800-245-SNOW.
Grape stomp and look-alike contest
WEST HALIFAX- Honora Winery will open its vineyard at 1778 Collins Rd. for its annual Harvest Festival and Grape Stomp from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12 and 13, for live music, local foods and farmstands, crafts, wine tasting, and the main grape-stomping event.
This year, the winery will also hold an I Love Lucy look-alike contest on both days. Winners will receive a $100 cash prize and a gift certificate.
Admission to the event is $5.
Apple pie benefit
DUMMERSTON - Some 1,500 apple pies made once again by volunteer church members and friends will be available at the annual Dummerston Apple Pie Festival on Oct. 13.
Pies will be served with ice cream and Vermont cheese.
The festival will also offer breakfast, lunch, and a nearby tag and craft sale.
For more than 40 years, the festival has evolved from a small, local gathering to a southern Vermont foliage favorite, attracting motorists and motorcyclists from throughout the Northeast.
The festival will take place at the Congregational Church at the town center from 10 a.m. until all pies are sold. All are welcome to the church service starting at 9 a.m.
Pumpkin festival in Townshend
TOWNSHEND - The Townshend Business Association will sponsor this year's Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Common.
Several dozen artists and vendors from around the area will sell their wares alongside the main activities, including a pumpkin decorating contest at 12:30 p.m. and a contest for best apple pie at 1:30 p.m. Free pony rides will be offered from noon to 3. Admission and parking for the event is free.
For more information, visit www.townshendvermont.org.
Barbecue chicken benefit
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The biannual chicken barbecue, sponsored by the West Brattleboro Association (WBA), will take place on Western Avenue outside the First Congregational Church on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. until food is sold out.
Proceeds will help fund the WBA's community activity initiatives. Baked goods sold at the event will directly benefit the church.
The barbecue held earlier this year was a success for the WBA, which had sold all its food within an hour. In response to the unexpected turnout, the organization's members will prepare to serve more chicken, baked beans, and cole slaw.
Half a chicken will cost $5, or $8 with sides.
The majority of the offerings will be prepared using traditional local recipes: the baked beans are a Thurber Farm recipe, and the barbecue sauce will be made from a recipe from the Guilford Fair.
Helen Robb, Marjorie Thurber's daughter, said her mother's recipe appeared in a 1983 cookbook published by Yankee.
For more information about other upcoming activities in West Brattleboro and to learn more about the WBA, visit www.westbrattleboro.org.
Fire department tag sale
GRAFTON- The Firefighters' Fall Foliage Festival on Columbus Day weekend will feature a huge tag sale with furniture, toys, linens, books, recordings, jewelry, housewares, small appliances, and many other items.
The fire engines and rescue equipment will be on display, and firefighters will be on hand to answer questions.
A major fundraiser for the Grafton Volunteer Fire Department, the sale traditionally draws a great deal of community support, both in donations and enthusiastic buyers.
The Grafton Elementary School Parent Teachers Group will also offer a range of hot coffee and pastries, barbecued hamburgers, hot dogs, and other food specialties to benefit school initiatives.
The festival will take place at the firehouse at 711 Route 121, just east of Grafton Village on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., when the majority of remaining items will be on sale for half price.
Benefit celebrates art across the ages
WEST BRATTLEBORO- All Souls Church will be transformed into an interactive art gallery on Friday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. for the Windham Child Care Association's third annual Fall Into Art benefit.
More than 50 local artists have contributed a wide variety of artwork to be auctioned at the event, including blown glass, photography, watercolor, handmade jewelry, pottery, and woodturning.
In an effort to highlight to participants that their work is highly valued, contributing artists have been given the option to receive half of the final sale price for their work and to name their minimum bid.
Early childhood educators also facilitated art projects with children in their care, collecting, framing, and displaying their work alongside the donated professional pieces.
Vermont Country Deli will be catering the event, Windham Wines will be offering a cash bar, local band Jazzberry Jam will be providing live music, and the association's board of directors will serve a spread of homemade desserts.
Tickets are $20 (free for children younger than 12, or $10 for early-childhood educators working in registered or licensed child-care programs). They can be purchased at www.windhamchildcare.org or at Everyone's Books on Elliot Street in Brattleboro.
Apple brunch returns to Guilford Grange
GUILFORD- The Broad Brook Grange will be hosting its annual Columbus Day Weekend Apple Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 13, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grange Hall at 3940 Guilford Center Rd. (about 4 miles west of the Guilford Country Store),
The proceeds from the event will allow for continued renovations of the historic building and support of the organization's community programs.
Apple pancakes and muffins will be served at the all-you-can-eat buffet, along with made-to-order eggs and omelets, French toast, bacon and sausage, cakes, pies, and fresh, in-season fruits. The pancakes will be accompanied by locally produced maple syrup.
No reservations are necessary for the meal, which will cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 2–12. The meal is free for children younger than age 2.
Weston Craft Show runs Oct. 11–13
WESTON - The annual Weston Craft Show at the Weston Playhouse on The Green opens Friday, Oct. 11 and will run through Sunday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and will feature the work of 45 juried artisans from throughout Vermont.
Begun by a small group of local artisans in 1983, the show has grown to become one of the state's top fall attractions.
Admission to the show is $8 and parking is free.
A lunch catered by the Inn at Weston will be available in the Café at the Falls overlooking the West River.
Proceeds from the show will benefit the preservation of the historic museums in Weston, including the Farrar-Mansur House, the Old Mill Museum and the Craft Building, as well as Cold Spring Brook Park.
Artisans plan second fall tour
WESTMORELAND, N.H.- The River Valley Artisans will present its annual tour on Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 12-13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, featuring the work of winemakers and cheesemakers alongside the work of River Valley's fine artists, who will show their work and demonstrate their techniques.
A viewing reception will take place on Friday, Oct. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Westmoreland Town Hall, where participants can view samples of work; meet artists on the tour; pick up a brochure, a map, and a schedule of demonstrations; and enjoy refreshments.
For more information and descriptions of the artists' work, visit www.rivervalleyartisans.com.