Stowe Foliage Arts Festival
Stowe, Vermont
Visitors to Stowe, Vermont, in October go to see the majestic tapestry the changing of the leaves creates overhead in the fall and to see at eye level some of the best artwork Vermont and New England artists have created.
For more than 20 years, Craftproducers, a programming company that stages events and festivals throughout New England, has produced the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival. Today, the juried art show, which spans three days, features more than 150 artisans showing off their homemade wares.
The event coincides with the peak of the fall foliage, and many tourists are already visiting Stowe for the quintessential New England experience. “It’s pretty much the epitome of the classic Vermont town,” said Craftproducers owner Tim Cianciola.
Cianciola said his company erects what amounts to a small city for the weekend in the Stowe Events Field outside of town, setting up tents and canopies for the artists and other amenities, such as a food court and live-music stages, for visitors.
www.craftproducers.com/festivals/stowe-foliage-arts-festival
White Mountain Oktoberfest
Lincoln, New Hampshire
Loon Mountain, a resort in the heart of the White Mountains, takes advantage of the throng of visitors to the area for the seasonal fall foliage with its annual White Mountain Oktoberfest.
An authentic oompah band sets the tone for the weekend of activities, which includes Harpoon Beer, pumpkin painting, traditional German fare and a variety of competitions such as stein-holding and yodeling and the highly anticipated keg toss.
The ski trails aren’t open yet, but Loon Mountain will be have a gondola running where visitors can see the entire area from the apex, which includes a spectacular view of Mount Washington, the highest peak in New England.
For the adventurous, there is also an aerial canopy zip-line tour, which lets visitors not only see the fall foliage but also fly through it.
“We have some of the most beautiful scenery and fall foliage in the world, and this festival is icing on the cake,” said Greg Kwasnick, communications manager at Loon Mountain.
