In my opinion, autumn is actually the best time to visit the Lake Champlain Region. The Adirondack Coast sparkles during this season with some crystal-clear sunny days and cool, crisp, great sleeping weather, nights. It’s the perfect season for hiking one of the many CATS trails. The views from atop one of our mountains along the lake go on forever. Often winds subside and boaters enjoy skimming across, or paddling, the flatwater which like a mirror reflects the vibrant color of the autumn leaves. Aside from perfect conditions for outdoor recreation, the region offers some exciting and entertaining events to accent and expand any visit.
Here are a few upcoming events that may entice you:
Right Around the Corner
Labor Day Weekend, the unofficial conclusion of summer, is right around the calendar’s corner. You will definitely want to be in the Village of Port Henry and Town of Moriah for this holiday weekend. They know how to celebrate Labor Day and have been doing so for 126 years. Plan on watching a sailing regatta, attending a rustic, hometown parade in a heavily forested setting, catching reflections of fireworks off the water, indulging in a chicken barbecue, watching a traditional Main Street Parade, and enjoying music, kids rides and family activities. Everything kicks off at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 5th.
Trekkies will want to boldly go to the Trekonderoga that same weekend for the Star Trek Pop Culture Convention to be held in Ticonderoga Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 4-6. See Star Trek A-list stars and writers, collect autographs, tour the original Desilu Studio Star Trek Sets, screen early and New Voyage episodes, attend a dinner dance with Mr. Scott’s Time Travel Band, attend numerous movie making workshops and more. Check out the convention’s website, trekonderoga.com, for more specific information and tickets.
Mortars and Maize
The following weekend, on September 12th and 13th, you won’t want to miss Brown’s Raid Re-enactment at Fort Ticonderoga. Every day is filled with activity at America’s Fort, but this particular weekend will be especially exciting. On both days, the reenactment battle takes place at 1:00 PM, but arrive early to see all aspects of this real life action adventure. Fort Ticonderoga opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5:00 PM. You will want two full days to see the most of it. The Heroic Corn Maze will also be at peak during this time. This new 2015 maze design is in the shape of the Fort and the year 1756. Players are given a Quest Card to collect a stamp at 8 hidden stations within the maze. It is fun for all ages! Good luck!
Harvest Time
Throughout the region you will find numerous farmers’ markets with an abundance of fresh and delicious produce through the fall. Fort Ticonderoga’s Heritage, Harvest and Horse Festival will take place October 3rd this year. Their colorful harvest market will set up at the King’s Garden on the fort grounds; plan on a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, jams and jellies being available. Also fulfill your seasonal decorating desires with pumpkins, gourds and dried flowers.
During this festival the horse is celebrated for the significant role it played in the history at Fort Ticonderoga. You'll have a chance to see some of these beautiful animals at work and at play.
Another great reason to visit in autumn is APPLES. It’s the season to find great farm fresh selections available at our orchards, or come prepared to pick your own.
Penfield Homestead Museum celebrates the apple every year with their AppleFolkFest, this year held on Sunday, October 11th from 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM; plan on a day of great entertainment with horse-drawn wagon rides, an abundance of craft and flea market vendors, and every possible homemade apple dessert imaginable. Chat with some Civil War reenactors and learn about this community’s significant connection to that war.
Enjoy some hot homemade chili, sip some fresh pressed cider while being entertained by live music. Tip: The chili can sell out fast. Get in line early, so as not to be disappointed.
This year while attending the Applefolkfest you may want to take advantage of the opportunity to hike Penfield Homestead Museum’s two new trails that have recently been added to the CATS collection: the Penfield Pond Trail and the Old Ironville Road Trail. Both begin at the same trailhead - a mere 2/10ths of a mile east of the museum. The Penfield Pond Trail is about one mile long round trip and is considered easy. Much of it winds along the pond for some great views of scenery and wildlife. After a few apple desserts, this may be just what you need.
Navigating the Night
Closer to the end of October things get quite spooky at Penfield during the Haunted Homestead event. On October 23rd, 24th and 25th, the museum teams with Retro Film Studios to produce an opportunity for the night-fright of your life. This is their 6th year of Haunted Homesteads and they do invite with a warning: “Come if You Dare.” Admission is $8, $5 for students (no pets, alcohol or children under 10 are allowed).
Back at Fort Ticonderoga on October 23rd and 24th explore the Maze by Moonlight. The Heroic Corn maze will be open at 7:00 PM and close at 10:00 PM, with the last tickets sold at 9:00. Guests will get to explore the 6-acre corn maze by flashlight and participate in the “Engineer a Fort” maze quest for $10 per person.
Watch the LakeChamplainRegion.com events calendar for other happenings throughout the fall - the most spectacular time to visit.
Check out these additional awesome ADK events:
It’s classic! Get ready to race to LP from marathons to car shows, live music to lederhosen.
Cool fests! Farm2Fork, HoboFest, 90-miler — yeah, Saranac Lake knows how to celebrate the season.
Blue skies overhead! Malone acts as an awesome backdrop for your early-autumn activities.
