Autumn Times Calendar: Fall festivals, activities for your family needs
Check out these fall activities, events and goings-on. This is just a small list, so make sure to check our online community calendar for daily information.
Children climb on a hale bale space at Critz Farms. (Michael Davis/Syracuse New Times)Now-Oct. 31
Abbott Farm Fall Festival Days. Enjoy a plethora of autumn-themed activities for children and adults, including wagon rides, a corn maze, tube slides, a bounce house, an apple cannon, face painting and more. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Abbott Farms, 3275 Cold Springs Road, Baldwinsville. Free/ages 2 and under, $9/ages 3 and up, $8/five or more in same transaction, $7/10 or more in same transaction, $3.50/individual activities. (315) 638-7783.
Sept. 28-30
Central Square Apple Festival. Enjoy amusement rides, pony rides, live entertainment, local vendors and food at the 35th annual event. Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brewerton Speedway, 154 U.S. Route 11.
Sept. 22-Oct. 29
Fort Rickey Fall Fun Festival. The children’s discovery zoo is full of hands-on family fun, with special kid-friendly activities, such as: a hay bale maze, pedal tractors, oat-filled activity station, pony rides, wagon rides and more. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 5135 Rome-New London Road, Rome. $6/admission, free/children under 2. (315) 336-1930.
Oct. 3-7
Super DIRT Week XLVII. Get your need for speed at the Oswego Speedway, 300 E. Albany St., Oswego. $25/Wednesday-Friday general admission, $10/Wednesday-Friday child admission, $30/Saturday general admission, $10/Saturday child admission, $45/Sunday general admission, $10/Sunday child admission. (844) DIRT-TIX.
Oct. 6-7
Great Cortland Pumpkin Fest. Pumpkin-themed family fun, with food, music and activities for all to enjoy. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Courthouse Park, Church Street, Cortland. Free; some events have fees. (607) 753-8463.
Oct. 6
Adirondack Kids Day. A day of free family fun featuring a children’s authors and illustrators fair, French Louie’s Fishing Derby, pony rides and more activities throughout the day. 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Arrowhead Park, 160 U.S. Route 28, Inlet. Free admission. (315) 357-5501.
Oct. 6-7
Lafayette Apple Festival. There will be plenty of food and entertainment at the annual family-friendly blowout. Apple pancake breakfast each day starts at 7 a.m. Festival hours: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 5330 Rowland Road, LaFayette. $5/adults, free/ages 12 and under. (315) 677-3300.
Oct. 10-14
Syracuse International Film Festival. The 15th annual flick fest will offer film screenings and Q&As with stars such as Grace Jones and filmmakers from around the world. Palace Theatre, 2384 James St. $15-$100.
Oct. 19-21
Country Folk Art Show. Exhibitors and artisans from across the United States present handcrafted goods, foods, jewelry, furniture, photographs and more. Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New York State Fairgrounds, Center of Progress Building, 581 State Fair Blvd. $7/adults, $2/ages 5 to 12, free/under age 5. (248) 634-4151.
Oct. 12-13
St. Rose of Lima Harvest Festival. The Catholic church hosts a quaint two-day event, featuring attic treasures, 50/50 raffles, plenty of food and $10,000 in prize money. Friday and Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m. St. Rose of Lima, 409 S. Main St., North Syracuse. (315) 458-0283.
Oct. 20-21, 27-28
Zoo Boo. Stop down for the “kooky, not spooky” daytime Halloween-themed extravaganza that engages kids and families in activities. The event includes trick-or-treating stations, animal encounters, games and more. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place. $8 per child plus regular zoo admission. (315) 435-8511.
Oct. 26-28
Wizarding Weekend. Grab your wands and spell books for the fourth annual event, with games, crafts and food. Costumes are encouraged. Street festival hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival’s locations include the Ithaca Commons, the 100 block of MLK Jr./State Street, the 100 blocks of Cayuga Street and Press Bay Alley, 118 W. Green St., Ithaca. Free admission. Fees for select games and crafts. (607) 882-9842.
Nov. 3-4
The Great New York State Model Train Fair. National Railway Historical Association’s local chapter hosts the 44th annual event. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New York State Fairgrounds, Center of Progress, 581 State Fair Blvd. $10/adults, free/ages 15 and under. (315) 451-6551.
Nov. 15-Jan. 6.
Lights on the Lake. The annual drive-through yuletide lights spectacular. Daily, 5 to 10 p.m. Onondaga Lake Park, 106 Lake Drive, Liverpool. $10/Mondays through Thursdays; $15/Fridays through Sundays; $6/Mondays and Tuesdays with Wegmans Shoppers Club card. (315) 453-6712.
Nov. 17-18.
Salt City Holiday Antiques Show. Get into the yuletide spirit and splurge on gifts galore. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. New York State Fairgrounds, Horticulture Building, 581 State Fair Blvd. Call for price. (315) 686-5789.
