It's harvest time in Pennsylvania!

The richness of fall can be seen in the changing colors of the leaves, but also tasted at the many harvest festivals held in Pennsylvania this time of year.

The brilliant colors of the newly changed leaves, the tangy sweetness of apple cider, the aroma of baking pies and the sticky goodness of fruit preserves create an aura of comfort and fill us with anticipation for the cool, crisp days that lie ahead. The sights, smells and sounds of a Pennsylvania harvest festival are sure to invigorate as you enjoy the many flavors of fall.

Potato soup, sweet potato fries, potato ham pot pie, potato pizza, potato pancakes, potato candy… potato candy? You read that correctly, potato candy! The 22nd Annual Ebensburg Potatofest in The Alleghenies honors all things potato on September 28th at their annual celebration of the area’s potato growing tradition and the growers themselves. The festival offers a variety yummy of potato-inspired dishes to try as well as lots of activities and live music and performers to entertain you. Attention wine lovers — in a slight departure from the potato theme, a variety of Pennsylvania wineries will be showcasing their finest selections throughout the day at a wine-tasting extravaganza. 

Not to be outdone, Danville’s Pumpkin Palooza welcomes you to their October 26th celebration of this autumnal icon— you’ll never have so much fun with a pumpkin again! Race your friends in the pumpkin-inspired pentathlon then refuel with the pumpkin pie eating contest. Launch ‘em as far as you can in the pumpkin shot putt and catapult contests — you know you’ve always wanted to — then rediscover your childhood skills in the seed spitting contest. May the best pumpkin-lover win!

You won’t want to miss the Town of North East’s annual WineFest, September 27-29. What began as a small street fair in northeastern Erie County has grown into a 3-day celebration of wine that is part street fair, part arts festival, part music festival and part harvest festival .  Local wineries will be on hand for tastings for the adults and there will be pony and trackless train rides for the kids. Don’t miss the grape stomping demonstration — something both parents and kids are sure to enjoy!

Journey back to the 1800s at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm’s Harvest Festival, October 12-13, just outside Stroudsburg in Monroe County. Learn how 19th century farming revolved around the seasons of the year with fall the season for harvesting the produce that was grown over the summer. The farm’s Harvest Festival features demonstrations of many of the skills required to complete the harvest and highlights many of the traditional crafts of the era such as oak split basketry, spinning, weaving and yarn dyeing. There will plenty of activities to keep the young ones entertained — from pony rides to storytelling to pumpkin decorating, as well as delicious country food available, lots of folk entertainment, and games and contests for all to enjoy!

To learn more about the regions and counties mentioned above, please visit the following websites:

The Alleghenies Erie County Monroe County

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