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October is the time to Celebrate the harvest
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Hello neighbors. You may not know this, but this month marks the two year anniversary of our Backyard Tourist column in the News Item. With the help of this column, I hope that you’ve been able to discover, experience, and tell others about all the wonderful things to do and see right here in your own backyards!
I love October because it captivates my senses: the sound of rustling leaves under foot or tossed about by the autumn breeze; the smell of freshly raked leaves; the quilt of colors of our mountains and hills; the taste of chilis and stews, soups and homemade breads; the feel of a sweater or sweatshirt against your skin on a cool night; the fun and fright of Halloween, scary movies, football games and homecoming; and the sight of pumpkins and mums on porches or at roadside farm stands. October is the time to celebrate the harvest, to enjoy the spectacular fall foliage that stretches as far as the eye can see, and to feel like a kid again at more than a dozen fall festivals.
Speaking of festivals, the Susquehanna River Valley is teeming with them this autumn. The first weekend of the month kicks off with a traditional German celebration in Mifflinburg. Oktoberfest, held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3 and 4, is held at the VFW Fairgrounds on Route 45, and features marionette shows, German beer and food, local wine, live music, dancing and hayrides. Another great event taking place that weekend (Oct. 4 and 5) is Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society’s Heritage Days which boasts three hundred costumed crafters, tradesmen and instructors teaching locals and visitors about our colonial history, as well as cooking, telling stories, and playing music. It takes place between Turbotville and Watsontown.
The next weekend, Oct. 10-11, there are three more festivals – American Heritage Crafters in Milton will host a fall festival and will unveil its new “official” Irvin’s Country Tinware showroom, featuring lighting, tin ware, and Irvin Hoover original photography. Kudos to American Heritage Crafters for extending a hand of friendship to Irvin’s after its tremendous loss in 2007. For the kids, and the kids-at-heart, Lewisburg will host its annual Woolly Worm festival on Oct. 11 as well – see woolly worm races and take part in the Winter Weather prognostication, where a team of highly skilled worm readers garbed in lab coats measure, poke, and nudge the furry creatures in an effort to predict the winter. This festival is truly one-of-a-kind, and a “must do” this fall. Afterwards, head over Shade Mountain Winery in Middleburg for its Harvest Festival, taking place from Oct. 11 and 12. This fun event features grape stomping, music, food, tours, and carriage rides through the vines.
In the middle of the month, music lovers can attend the Susquehanna Valley Chorale’s fall concert, taking place at Zion Lutheran Church in downtown Sunbury on Oct. 18 and 19. For those who love to celebrate the scary side of October, discover Flashlight Safari at Reptiland from Oct. 17 and 19 – which includes live shows featuring a giant fruit bat, great horned owl, Norway rat, scorpion, alligator and rattlesnake. Just don’t forget your flashlight! This is a great way to discover Reptiland all over again, and to learn more about nocturnal creatures among us.
Other seasonal events include Ard’s Corn Maze, which has a theme of “African Safari” this year. Along the way, check out the plentiful farmers markets and roadside stands, all boasting the harvests and tastes of autumn. For guided agritourism itineraries showing where to stop in Northumberland, Union, or Snyder Counties, check out the Adventures section of VisitCentralPA.org.
October is also the perfect month to enjoy outdoor adventures. Go hiking, mountain biking or “leaf peeping” at nearby state parks or forests. Rent a bike or canoe and enjoy a river excursion or a trek through our scenic country sides. Drop by our Visitor Center to pick up a fall festivities brochure, covered bridge map, bike trails map, or fall foliage routes flyer. Or give us a call at 1-800-525-7320 and we’ll mail them to you.
For many more events and fall adventure ideas, go to VisitCentralPA.org. If you’d like to receive our seasonal e-newsletter or our weekly events calendar “This Week in the Susquehanna River Valley” send an email to info@VisitCentralPA.org. Above all else, make sure to have some fun in your own backyard this fall – we’re sure you’ll find a treasure at every turn.
Andrew Miller is executive director of the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau.
I love October because it captivates my senses: the sound of rustling leaves under foot or tossed about by the autumn breeze; the smell of freshly raked leaves; the quilt of colors of our mountains and hills; the taste of chilis and stews, soups and homemade breads; the feel of a sweater or sweatshirt against your skin on a cool night; the fun and fright of Halloween, scary movies, football games and homecoming; and the sight of pumpkins and mums on porches or at roadside farm stands. October is the time to celebrate the harvest, to enjoy the spectacular fall foliage that stretches as far as the eye can see, and to feel like a kid again at more than a dozen fall festivals.
Speaking of festivals, the Susquehanna River Valley is teeming with them this autumn. The first weekend of the month kicks off with a traditional German celebration in Mifflinburg. Oktoberfest, held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3 and 4, is held at the VFW Fairgrounds on Route 45, and features marionette shows, German beer and food, local wine, live music, dancing and hayrides. Another great event taking place that weekend (Oct. 4 and 5) is Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society’s Heritage Days which boasts three hundred costumed crafters, tradesmen and instructors teaching locals and visitors about our colonial history, as well as cooking, telling stories, and playing music. It takes place between Turbotville and Watsontown.
The next weekend, Oct. 10-11, there are three more festivals – American Heritage Crafters in Milton will host a fall festival and will unveil its new “official” Irvin’s Country Tinware showroom, featuring lighting, tin ware, and Irvin Hoover original photography. Kudos to American Heritage Crafters for extending a hand of friendship to Irvin’s after its tremendous loss in 2007. For the kids, and the kids-at-heart, Lewisburg will host its annual Woolly Worm festival on Oct. 11 as well – see woolly worm races and take part in the Winter Weather prognostication, where a team of highly skilled worm readers garbed in lab coats measure, poke, and nudge the furry creatures in an effort to predict the winter. This festival is truly one-of-a-kind, and a “must do” this fall. Afterwards, head over Shade Mountain Winery in Middleburg for its Harvest Festival, taking place from Oct. 11 and 12. This fun event features grape stomping, music, food, tours, and carriage rides through the vines.
In the middle of the month, music lovers can attend the Susquehanna Valley Chorale’s fall concert, taking place at Zion Lutheran Church in downtown Sunbury on Oct. 18 and 19. For those who love to celebrate the scary side of October, discover Flashlight Safari at Reptiland from Oct. 17 and 19 – which includes live shows featuring a giant fruit bat, great horned owl, Norway rat, scorpion, alligator and rattlesnake. Just don’t forget your flashlight! This is a great way to discover Reptiland all over again, and to learn more about nocturnal creatures among us.
Other seasonal events include Ard’s Corn Maze, which has a theme of “African Safari” this year. Along the way, check out the plentiful farmers markets and roadside stands, all boasting the harvests and tastes of autumn. For guided agritourism itineraries showing where to stop in Northumberland, Union, or Snyder Counties, check out the Adventures section of VisitCentralPA.org.
October is also the perfect month to enjoy outdoor adventures. Go hiking, mountain biking or “leaf peeping” at nearby state parks or forests. Rent a bike or canoe and enjoy a river excursion or a trek through our scenic country sides. Drop by our Visitor Center to pick up a fall festivities brochure, covered bridge map, bike trails map, or fall foliage routes flyer. Or give us a call at 1-800-525-7320 and we’ll mail them to you.
For many more events and fall adventure ideas, go to VisitCentralPA.org. If you’d like to receive our seasonal e-newsletter or our weekly events calendar “This Week in the Susquehanna River Valley” send an email to info@VisitCentralPA.org. Above all else, make sure to have some fun in your own backyard this fall – we’re sure you’ll find a treasure at every turn.
Andrew Miller is executive director of the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau.
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