For the past 50 years the Northeast region of Vermont has been hosting an extravagant week long fall festival. Vermont Fall Festival Week combines the beauty of seven Vermont towns to create a week long event that celebrates the beautiful transitions to fall. The rural towns hosting these fall festivals include St. Johnsbury, Walden, Cabot, Plainfield, Peacham, Barnet, and Groton. Come enjoy local crafts, band concerts, church suppers, and historical tours as you watch the autumn colors light up Vermont in 2009.
Sunday,9-27-09 “St. Johnsbury Fall Festival”
To start off your colorful fall foliage tour is St. Johnsbury, the first host of the fall festival week. Watch as St. Johnsbury’s Victorian Main Street is transformed into the epicenter for your fall foliage getaway. The fall festival begins at 10am with a large selection of activities for you to enjoy. Check out the Arts and Crafts, Farmer’s Market, Historic walking tour, and the historic cemetery walk. Sit back and relax as the town band being to play for your midday enjoyment. After the band completes watch as the colorful parade fills the streets. During your day there will be plenty of delicious food from local vendors, but be sure not to miss the Pancake and Ham Brunch that begins at 8am and goes until 12. While you touring this historic Vermont town, be sure to have your camera ready to take pictures of the abundant autumn colors.
Monday, 9-28-09 “Walden Fall Foliage Festival”
The town of Walden is a small country town and the second host of our fall foliage festival. The fall festival at Walden begins at 11:00 am with an assortment of things to do. At the festival you can enjoy arts and crafts demonstrations, scenic tours, and country music. Dine with the locals as you enjoy a Soup and chili luncheon with Vermont apple cider and homemade cookies. After you stroll the town, taking in the beautiful fall foliage, come back for a delectable ham supper with choice of homemade apple or pumpkin pie .
Tueday, 9-29-09 “Cabot Fall Festival”
Your third guest of the fall foliage festival is the town of Cabot, where the celebration begins with a Welcome Coffee Hour. Here you festival events may include local tours of old school houses, craft shops, Cabot Creamery, and Historical Buildings. Enjoy doing crafts with kids throughout the day. When you’re stomach is grumbling you’re ready for the Beef Stew Luncheon at Cabot Church. After lunch the town features hayrides to the sugarhouse and hikes to Nichols Ledge. For foliage enthusiasts the Nichols Ledge is a perfect place to see the autumn colors spread over the Vermont landscape. Come back hungry for a Turkey Dinner and enjoy the background melody of live bands.
Wednesday, 9-30-09 “Plainfield Fall Foliage Festival”
We hope you still have space on your cameras when you stop at Plainfield for the midweek fall foliage festival. Rise and shine and be refreshed with coffee hour beginning at 9 am. Fall foliage tours begin at 10am and go until one in the afternoon. Local events include Rock of Ages Granite Quarry, glass blowers, Grandview Winery, and an array nature hikes. Nature hikes make for the perfect Vermont fall foliage tour allowing you to be shadowed by large red maples and golden oaks. Stay local and tour the colorful flower gardens at Goddard College. Stop in for lunch, or save room for dinner and dine on Barbecued Chicken-Mostaccioli and Baked Bean Supper.
Thursday, 10-1-09 “Peachham Fall Foliage Day”
In the September 2005 issue of Yankee Magazine, one article stated “Of all the villages in New England, Peachham is unsurpassed.” This scenic and historic town attracts many visitors each year to the Peachham Fall Foliage day. Start your day with the Ats & crafts sale, check out the demonstrations at the Blacksmith Shop, or visit the Historical House and learn more about the town of Peachham. Under the safe midday sun you can take a historic ghost walk through the Peachham Cemetery. To see more of the town and the colorful spread of Peachham fall foliage take the Scenic bus tour. Take a seat in the sanctuary and listen to melodic harp music play throughout the day. Dinner is served at the church where you’ll feast on a Spaghetti Supper with a salad bar, garlic bread, homemade apple crisp and ice cream.
Friday, 10-2-09 “Barnett Fall Festival”
Start your day early at Barnet town, where a pancake breakfast is served from 8 till 12 and include pancakes, Vermont maple syrup and sausage. Once your stomach is satisfied and you’re full of energy for the day head into town for a variety of events. Arts and crafts take place throughout the day as you tour this charming town and small shops. A scenic bus tour takes you on a ride throughout the towns historic spots and through scenic back roads for optimal fall foliage viewing. Visit the European Coffee House and stop in for a ham dinner at the end of your adventures.
Saturday, 10-3-09 “Groton Fall Foliage Festival”
Your last stop during your Vermont Fall Festival week is the happening town of Groton, Vermont. Enjoy your last fall festival Lumberjack Breakfast at the local Church. The town’s famous local band “McClure’s” will start the day with a perform at 11. Gather at the town center at 1:30 where you’ll have the best view of the town Parade. The Peter Paul Historical House is open throughout the day for you to wander through. The town’s famous Chicken Pie Supper is served every hour from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. Although your week long adventure of Northeastern Vermont’s fall foliage festivals has ended, you can now enjoy a stretch of autumn colors on the scenic highways back to your home.
Find more information on ticket sales and specific times of Vermont Fall Festival week activities here.