🍁🍂 Colorful Fall Festivals That Celebrate the Harvest (AARP Article)

[Winter2025VA]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

Pumpkins, cranberries and apples — oh my! Road trip-worthy fests celebrate autumn’s beautiful bounty.

By Berit Thorkelson, AARP. Published September 17, 2025.

What do a three-story pumpkin tower, a sunflower field photo op and a mashed potato-eating contest have in common? These are all ways to celebrate American agriculture at crop-focused festivals around the country this fall.

U.S. agritourism continues to rise in popularity year over year, according to statistics from Grand View Research, a market research and consulting company. And fall’s temperate weather, beautiful colors and bountiful harvests are natural draws for road-trippers looking for weekend getaways, ranking in the top three domestic travel motivations for travelers 50 and over in AARP’s most recent travel trends survey.

USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/travel/vacation-ideas/colorful-fall-festivals/

[Winter2025VA]

[Monday 11/3/25]

Anyone celebrating FALL with a trip or two?

Such an AWESOME time of the year BEFORE Old Man Winter arrives.

Stop by to SHARE & READ what OTHERS have posted.

***  ‌📸‌  PICTURES ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!!! Need help with this, reply to this post or send me a PM (private message).

Take care,

Nicole. ‌✈️‌. (Travel Forum)

[mh44305342 · Accepted solution]

The Lake Michigan coastal cities (in Michigan) are gorgeous all summer but even in October they're still warm and mostly sunny. Lots of historic lighthouses, etc. It's known as the New England of the Midwest. 

[Winter2025VA]

[10/7/25] Thanks for stopping by @mh44305342 !!! That sounds beautiful. I have always wanted to visit a lighthouse. Take care, Nicole!

➡️[*** 

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@mh44305342 wrote:

The Lake Michigan coastal cities (in Michigan) are gorgeous all summer but even in October they're still warm and mostly sunny. Lots of historic lighthouses, etc. It's known as the New England of the Midwest. 

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[MichelleC103656]

We are going to a grape festival next weekend for my birthday. It is in Naples, New York. They have been having it every year since 1961,which is coincidentally when my husband, Jim, was born. Along the way, there are wineries, small country stores, farmer's markets, and all kinds of different kinds of grape dishes to sample and buy. The pies are the best and most delicious. We plan on attending lots of other fairs and festivals when we visit New England. Closer to home, we have Homecoming, bonfires, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and hay rides. We are going to be very busy trying to see ,do, and attend as many things as possible. Thanks for the great article. Talk to you soon!😺😻😸

[Winter2025VA]

The colors are changing here in Virginia and I am happy. One of my two favorite seasons. As I drive by the mountains and low laying areas, I am still amazed by nature and what it does.

Lol, then Old Man Winter is next.  😭

Take care,

Nicole  ✈  (Travel Forum)

[MichelleC103656]

Hey Nicole! New York is beautiful in the Fall. The trees are just starting to change. The days have been hot and the nights cool, so the colors are going to be very vibrant. We are driving to Northern Pennsylvania this Saturday. I am looking forward to seeing the mountains and foliage on the way. Bye for now! 🙂💌🐱👩‍🏫 By the way, our girl furbabies are doing better. Talk to you later! 🐱🐱🐱🙂💌👩‍🏫

[Winter2025VA]

Michelle @MichelleC103656 , I am SO RELIEVED!!! I know you were worrying. ENJOY your trip. My daughter & I will be doing the same but walking. As you know Florida is flat & boring. So when she arrives here in Virginia next Friday, she wants to check out the mountains. In 2019 when she was last here, we walked and talked = Mom & Daughter Time. Met some TOO CUTE furbabies too. Luv to your three  🐈🐈🐈  from the man of my house (lol - well he "thinks" he is) Mister. 🐈.  So good hearing from you my friend, Nicole. 💛

➡️[*** MICHELLE 

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@MichelleC103656 wrote:

Hey Nicole! New York is beautiful in the Fall. The trees are just starting to change. The days have been hot and the nights cool, so the colors are going to be very vibrant. We are driving to Northern Pennsylvania this Saturday. I am looking forward to seeing the mountains and foliage on the way. Bye for now! 🙂💌🐱👩‍🏫 By the way, our girl furbabies are doing better. Talk to you later! 🐱🐱🐱🙂💌👩‍🏫

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[MichelleC103656]

Thank you for the kind words, Nicole. I was definitely worried. Our furry friends are like our children. I am really excited about our weekend trip. Pennsylvania is always beautiful. Next month, we are going to check out the New England states. They are absolutely breathtaking in the Fall. There is such gorgeous scenery. I hope that you and your daughter will have a wonderful visit. Bye for now and good night! I almost forgot. Say hi to Mister and give him a scratch under the chin from me. Bye for now! Sweet dreams! 😴🐱🐱🐱👩‍🏫

[Winter2025VA]

Good Morning Michelle @MichelleC103656 !!! I donot do the horoscopes but since we are BOTH Libras (you 9/28, me 9/26) - just Googled it.

➡️[*** AI Overview.

The dates for the astrological sign of Libra are from September 23 to October 22. This timeframe is when the Sun transits through the seventh sign of the zodiac, which is represented by the scales and is an air sign ruled by Venus.

Enjoy your SPECIAL DAY when it arrives!!!  🎂

Any OTHER Libras out there?

Luv,

Nicole. 💛

[MichelleC103656]

Good morning to you, Nicole!  I am always reading my horoscope and other people's. I have for years. They can be fun and interesting. I like that our sign represents scales. I have always tried to keep things fair and balanced. I am constantly weighing the pros and cons, benefits and risks. I hope that you enjoy your special day! It is only a week away. Happy Birthday to Lee,too! Talk to you later! I hope everyone has a great day and a fantastic weekend! Bye for now! 😺🐱😸👩‍🏫

[Winter2025VA]

Thanks Michelle @MichelleC103656 . Luv, Nicole. 💛

➡️[*** MICHELLE 

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@MichelleC103656 wrote:

Good morning to you, Nicole!  I am always reading my horoscope and other people's. I have for years. They can be fun and interesting. I like that our sign represents scales. I have always tried to keep things fair and balanced. I am constantly weighing the pros and cons, benefits and risks. I hope that you enjoy your special day! It is only a week away. Happy Birthday to Lee,too! Talk to you later! I hope everyone has a great day and a fantastic weekend! Bye for now! 😺🐱😸👩‍🏫

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[Winter2025VA]

Good Morning Michelle @MichelleC103656 , SAFE travels for your Birthday Trips my friend.

I am counting down the days for my daughter to arrive for mine.

Luv to you & those darling furbabies of yours from me and Mister. He is fast asleep as usual on my bed. What a life cats have = sleep all day.

Nicole. 💛🤗

[MichelleC103656]

Good morning, Nicole! Thanks for the well wishes. We are just heading out. Talk to you soon!🙂💌🐱😺😸😸👩‍🏫