As we approach the shift of seasons here in New England and the autumn equinox our thoughts turn to Fall Fairs and Festivals. New England serves up a lot of them this time of year, many are long-standing traditions and include the familiar and loved - others break that trend and offer something different.

For this week’s event posting I’ve picked three happening in September that are atypical of a New England fall event destination…

HANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE, MASSACHUSETTS:

Located in the senic Berkshires region of western Massachusetts near Pittsfield is the Hancock Shaker Village, and on September 29 and 30, 2007 they’ll be holding their 10th Annual Country Fair.

The Country Fair has activities for the whole family - a Kid’s Tent with craft activities and children’s games, a scavenger hunt, horse-drawn wagon rides, and fall farm activities you can try throughout the Village. In the Farmer’s Market, you’ll find locally grown, raised or made food offering goods for sale. You can also visit the popular Quilt Show and of course take in the Shaker Village itself and explore the heritage and history it offers.

For more information on times, admissions and directions visit their official site at: www.handcockshakervillage.org

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE HIGHLAND GAMES, LOON MOUNTAIN:

The famous Highland Games in Scotland have events such as “tossing the caber” - basically throwing a tree minus branch limbs as far as you can - and other athletic events requiring you to be built like King Kong to participate. I’m 5′ 6″ and 150lbs so I sit and watch the many other activities such as music, dance, and the customs of the Scottish people and the Gaelic culture.

The New Hampshire Highland Games is considered one of the premier Scottish events in North America and runs from September 21-23 at the Loon Mountain Ski Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire up in the White Mountain National Forest. Loon is on the scenic Kancamagus Highway - a stunning area to be visiting in the fall.

Highlights of the Highland Games include the Gathering of the Scottish Clans, with over 60 clans and societies, Massed Bands, Sheepdog Trails, Celtic World Music Concerts, the New England Regional Fiddle Championship, Heavyweight Scottish Athletics, National Highland Dance Competition, Solo Piping & Drumming, Scottish Harp (Clarsach) & other instrument competitions.

For more information on events, admissions and directions visit their official web site at: www.nhscot.org/

LUMBERJACK FESTIVAL, BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE:

Whether the famous Monty Python lumberjack skit damaged the persona of lumberjacks around the world doesn’t seem to bother the folks in the North Woods of New Hampshire. For the last seven years the region beyond Franconia Notch and Mount Washington have held their Lumberjack Festival, and this year will mark the 8th Annual festival to be held at the Northern Forest Heritage Park in Berlin, New Hampshire on September 30th, 2007.

The Northern Forest Heritage Park is a logging history museum and visitor center that celebrates the region’s lumbering past and present. The festival is a chance to have fun and learn about what it’s like to be a professional lumberjack in the 21st century.

Events and activities include lumberjack competitions, Heritage boat tours, a junior log rolling contest, games, and exhibits. Demonstrations and presentations are planned throughout the day to add to the excitement and fun. A lumberjack breakfast is planned to kick-off the day of festivities between 8:00am - 10:30am.

For more information on this event you can check ou the Northern Forest Heritage Park official web site at: www.northernforestheritage.org/

For a listing of more fall festivals and events from around New England click here.

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Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacations Guide