Five Fall Activities That Are Not Cancelled for 2020
/2020. Nothing is business as usual. Up is now down and down is now up. And there sure is a lot of anxiety right now as we face the return to school and to colder, harsher weather.
Fall is normally my absolute favorite season and it’s definitely a bummer that several of the usual autumn activities are canceled this year. But there is still some fall fun to be had - just this year, in a mask and 6 feet away from the next family.
shop one-of-a-kind goods at Arts and crafts on bedford
Bedford Street, Stamford, CT, Saturday September 12
Downtown Stamford’s Arts and Crafts on Bedford is back, this year with fewer vendors, which will allow for better social distancing as guests walk down Bedford Street (in masks) viewing the handmade goods on sale from local and regional artists.
Vendors will be on Bedford from 10am to 7pm on September 12th. And while, unfortunately, there will not be any kid friendly arts and crafts activities this year, maybe instead take the fam to one of the nearby restaurants tempting guests with their outdoor patio dining. Two of my absolute favorite spots right on Bedford are Lorca (for coffee and pastries) and Mecha Noodle Bar (for noodle slurping and other yummy Asian street food items). A relaxing and safe early fall day!
celebrate the fall bounty in queens at september sundays
Queens County Farm Museum, Sunday September 13, 20 and 27
I’ve never been to the Queens County Farm Museum. It’s long been somewhere I wanted to visit but I previously just didn’t have the time to squeeze it in. Shockingly, this fall, we have time. I can’t wait for this event!
Three Sundays in September head to the Queens County Farm Museum for farm-fresh entertainment! Advance tickets are required ($20pp; $15 for kids under 12) for staggered entry times. Admission this year includes The Amazing Maize Maze, hayrides and audience crop circles to enjoy bluegrass band Mama Juke live on stage! There will also be a beer garden, local food vendors and the farm’s acclaimed Farmstand selling fresh produce right from the farm.
view dazzling carved pumpkins by moonlight at THE GREAT JACK O’LANTERN BLAZE
Croton-on-Hudson, NY, Select nights September 18 through November 29
Old Bethpage, NY, Select nights October 2 through November 1
Once again, Croton-on-Hudson’s Van Cortlandt Manor will be transformed into a stunning Jack O’Lantern wonderland called the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze. And this year, a second location has emerged on Long Island at Old Bethpage Village! Also new for this year - masks required for all patrons over age 2 and limited ticket sales to ensure distance can be kept between parties.
The Blaze is so pretty and magical - everyone from the youngest to the oldest in your group will be blown away. Visitors walk along a path filled with thousands of hand-carved, lit up pumpkins in all kinds of gorgeous shapes and arrangements, while somewhat spooky music plays in the background. For those with babies, it’s best to leave your stroller at home and instead use a baby carrier for purposes of navigating the darkened path.
The event is very popular during normal times and expect harder ticket sales this season where crowds are limited. Also, early times (it’s a timed entry event) sell out first. Tickets are available now for both locations and no tickets will be available for purchase at the event.
The usual Croton location of the Blaze is also offering a second, daytime event - the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Guests can take a spooky but safe tour of the grounds of Washington Irving’s estate and join a literature themed scavenger hunt.
is it even fall if you don’t pick your own Apples and pumpkins?
Fishkill Farms, Fishkill, NY
Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, North Salem, NY
Outhouse Orchards, North Salem, NY
Harbes Family Farm, Jamesport, NY
Fall is a very big season for your local apple or pumpkin farm and most seem to be gearing up for another PYO season this year, albeit now with advance registration required and much less of the typical ancillary “fall festival” activities on offer.
We really enjoyed our visit to Fishkill Farms last autumn and plan to return this season. The organic farm is open from 9am to 4:45pm every day but Monday for your farm store needs. If you wish to partake in PYO while there, advance reservations are required and masks must be worn.
Another crowd favorite - seriously, the crowds there during autumn are usually insane - Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem is open for apple picking, also by advance registration. The farm makes it clear on their website that much of the kid friendly attractions that cause families to flock there every autumn will sadly be unable to happen this season due to COVID (no live music, face painting, bounce houses, hayrides, etc).
Right across the street from Harvest Moon is Outhouse Orchards, a less hectic farm and apple orchard. Outhouse is currently taking advance registrations for weekends and holidays only. No reservations are required for weekday visits.
And out east on the North Fork of Long Island, Harbes Family Farm in Jamesport still seems to be offering much of its usual fall festivities. There will be a corn maze and hayrides on weekends and holidays only. Plus the usual pumpkin picking by the pound daily. Face masks required at all times.
DELIGHT YOUR SENSES AT THE HUDSON VALLEY HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL
Tymor Park, Union Vale, NY, September 25 through 27
What is usually a summer event filled with crowds, live music, yard games and interactive elements like tethered hot air balloon rides, the Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival has been postponed, relocated and scaled down for 2020.
The 29th Annual Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival has been moved from its usual location at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds to Tymor Park, in order to accommodate a drive-in format. This year, guests will watch the hot air balloon action from the safety of their own cars while noshing on the food and drinks they bring from home. Reservations must be made in advance and each car costs $10.
