If you’re a fan of our blog, then you probably know that in general, we mostly write about destinations and activities that we have actually been to and experienced firsthand. We like to be on the ground, getting all the nitty-gritty details and making sure that each outing is worth your time and expense. For the most part, that approach works well for us.
And yet, we often hear from our readers about events that sound amazing, but that we just can’t possibly cover on the blog in the usual Out and About Mom style. Because you see, many of these events are so short-lived that by the time we could go there, collect all the details, edit all the photos and then get a blog posted about them, the event is over! Yet we still want to make sure you are getting the inside scoop on ALL the fun things to do in (and around) CT.
So sometimes we just have to do things a little differently around here. Like letting our readers make the recommendations for a change! Because if we can’t be there ourselves, having our readers voice their opinions is the next best thing 🙂
So today, I’m sharing a list of reader-recommended fall fairs and festivals. We’ve been to some of these places ourselves, but certainly not all of them. If these events are good enough to earn your praise though, then they are definitely worth putting on our “to go” list!
Here are TWENTY fairs to try this season (in chronological order). Courtesy of our amazing Out and About Mom readers 🙂
Connecticut Renaissance Faire August 31st-October 14th, 2019; (weekends, Labor Day & Columbus Day); Watch shows on stages around the faire, listen to minstrels playing in the streets and experience the old-world charm of a 16th century village filled with good, old-fashioned family fun. And food. Lots of food. Costumes are encouraged! 122 Mack Road, Lebanon
Wapping Fair September 5th-8th, 2019; Food festival, amusement park rides on the midway, live music & entertainment, petting zoo, kids’ contests, corn kernel sandbox, kids’ construction zone and maze, baby chicks, livestock shows and more. South Windsor Fairgrounds, 75 Brookfield Street, South Windsor
Hebron Harvest Fair September 5th-8th, 2019; Live music, a variety of food vendors, beer & wine garden, animal competitions, rides on the midway, shopping at local vendor booths, chick hatchery, corn maze, Demolition Derby. Hebron Lion’s Fairgrounds, 347, Gilead Street, Hebron
Four Town Fair September 12th-15th, 2019; Live music, contests, car show, parade, mini farm, food, games & rides and more. Four Town Fair Fairgrounds, 56 Egypt Road, Somers
Berlin Fair September 13th-15th, 2019; Rides and games for all ages, live music, a huge variety of food choices, craft exhibits, contests, livestock competitions and more. 430 Beckley Road, East Berlin
The Big E September 13th-29th, 2019; This is THE big one. Rides, carnival games, animal expositions, competitions, live entertainment, a circus spectacular, the Avenue of the States and food, food, food, food, food! 1305 Memorial Avenue West Springfield, MA (BONUS! OAAM post from the 2011 event)
Cheshire Fall Festival September 13th-14th, 2019; The celebration begins on “Food Truck Friday,” September 13th and continues Saturday. Craft and vendor booths on display, food and drink, an updated Car Show for all car enthusiasts, demonstrations, musical performances, fireworks and more. Bartlem Park, 520 South Main Street, Cheshire
Bristol Mum Festival September 19th-22nd, 2019; Live music, food trucks, amusement rides and games, kids’ activities, petting zoo, pony rides, touch-a-vehicle, community vendors, crafts and more. 70 Memorial Boulevard, Bristol
Northwest Park Country Fair September 21st, 2019; A full day of fun family activities, good food and entertainment including hay rides, pony rides, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow building, a farmers’ market and more. Northwest Park, Lang Road, Windsor
Wethersfield Cornfest September 21st, 2019; Child-friendly activities, food vendors and entertainment, scavenger hunt. Broad Street Green, Wethersfield
Orange Country Fair September 21st-22nd, 2019; Craft exhibits, antique cars, tractor pulls, children’s games, live music and entertainment, contests, flower and vegetable exhibits, wide variety of food vendors and more. 525 Orange Center Road, Orange
Seymour Pumpkin Festival September 22nd, 2019; Carnival rides and games, petting zoo, crafts, food, entertainment and more. French Memorial Park, 73 Spruce Street, Seymour
Durham Fair September 26th-29th, 2019; Live entertainment, rides and games on the midway, animal competitions and discovery events on the Corn Stalk Stage. Along with a trove of crafts, exhibits, shopping and fun food. This is their 100th year! Durham Fairgrounds, 24 Town House Road, Durham
Wee Faerie Village September 28th-October 27th, 2019; It’s a bird! It’s a plane. No, it’s Super-Faerie! Get ready to explore SUPERTOPIA: Wee Faerie Superheroes’ Headquarters and Hideaways that features nearly three-dozen faerie-scaled creations inspired by the hideouts and lairs of well-known (and perhaps some lesser known) superheroes. Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme (BONUS! OAAM post from 2013 event)
Southington Apple Harvest Festival October 4th-6th & 11th-13th; Over the course of two weekends each autumn, the festival offers a wide variety of live music & entertainment, food, contests, crafts, children’s activities, carnival rides, parade, arts & crafts show and a fireworks display. 75 Main Street, Southington (Shuttle bus available from Southington High School at 720 Pleasant Street) (BONUS! OAAM post from the 2013 event)
South Windsor Apple Harvest Festival October 6th, 2019; Craft vendors, food trucks, henna artist, kids’ games, face painting, live music, mini-train rides, apple pie and more. Nevers Park, 150 Nevers Road, South Windsor
Buell’s Orchard Harvest Festival October 12th & October 14th, 2019; Live music, face painting, famous chicken barbecue, hayrides to apple picking and the pumpkin patch, apple cider, donuts and more. 108 Crystal Pond Road, Eastford
Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival October 18th-20th, 2019; Live music, a full midway of amusement rides, 100+ craft vendors, 25+ food trucks/purveyors, the recently expanded Harvest Pub, and the Angry Orchard 5K Road Race on the festival’s closing day. Riverfront Community Center, Welles Street, Glastonbury (Shuttle bus available from Glastonbury High School, 330 Hubbard Street)
Putnam Pumpkin Festival October 19th, 2019; With an array of family-friendly activities, this event features The Official Great Pumpkin, 11th Annual Scarecrow Contest, Train Excursion, craft and art vendors, live music, activities for the kids, special pumpkin themed menus and more. Downtown Putnam
Plainville PumpkinFest October 19th, 2019; Outdoor festival featuring live music, a kids’ costume parade, kids’ games, pie eating contest, a variety of food trucks, a haunted house and many local vendors. Everyone is invited to bring their own carved pumpkins or carve one at the Pumpkin Patch. Downtown Plainville (in front of Town Hall)
If you try out one of these fairs this fall, please let us know what you thought by leaving us a comment on this post! And if you have a favorite fair to add (for this year or next), please tell us that as well.
We’re looking forward to sharing more reader recommendations in the future!
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