A Bounty of Fall Food Festivals
By: Nell Gladson
A chill in the air, candy corn on the shelves and the Steelers on Sunday can only mean one thing—the bounty of fall is upon us. One of the best ways to embrace autumn is to head out of the city to stock up on fresh produce and sample seasonal gastronomic specialties.
Here are just few of Pittsburgh’s favorite fall festivals:
Apple & Pumpkin Festival
Triple B Farms
Monongahela, PA
Dates: Now – Monday, October 31
Price: All-inclusive wristbands $10 per child and $7 per adult
Website: http://www.triplebfarms.com
If plucking an apple from the tree or a pumpkin from the patch is on your fall to-do list, look no further than Triple B Farms. Shop for local produce and Amish-made cheeses in the Farm Market. Kids will love the Big Blue Boo Barn and Storybook Pumpkinland.
Autumn Leaf Festival
Clarion, PA
Dates: Saturday, October 1 – Sunday, October 9
Price: Admission is free
Website: www.clarionpa.com
This annual event features everything from an art show to airplane rides. Foodies can get their grooves on with array of concessions along Main Street or with a tour of Deer Creek Winery. Donate non-perishable food at “Foodstock” to benefit community pantries and by all means give the corn maze a go.
Delmont Apple ‘N Arts Festival
R.J. Shields Farm
Delmont, PA
Dates: Saturday, October 1 – Sunday, October 2
Price: $5 suggested donation for parking
Website: www.inwestmoreland.com
(Click on Events, Fun & Entertainment under the Great Places tab)
Who can resist a festival with fresh apple cider, 30 food vendors and a Baby Apple Cheeks contest? Not to mention 160 craft vendors and apple butter made on site. Enjoy live entertainment and keep the kids occupied with ceramic pumpkin painting and pony rides.
Fall Festival
Trax Farms
Finleyville, PA
Dates: Every weekend now through Sunday, October 30
Price: Ticket prices vary by activity
Website: www.traxfarms.com
If autumn brings out the best in your sweet tooth, the festival Sweet Shoppe is sure to satisfy your cravings. Seasonal treats include apple dumplings, pumpkin pies and candy apples. Sample apple butter, wine and apples, too. Burn off that sugar rush with a hayride or a bungy jump.
Hickory Apple Festival
Hickory, PA
Dates: Saturday, October 1 – Sunday, October 2
Price: Admission and parking are free
Website: http://hickoryapplefest.com
They had me at pancake breakfast. Early birds can grab a stack starting at 7 a.m. before enjoying a day of craft hunting, autumn activities and, of course, more eating. Take home a loaf of stone oven baked bread, a fire-roasted chicken and a homemade pie and dinner is served.
Nell Gladson is an Emmy Award-winning TV producer, writer and communication consultant. The self-proclaimed “foodie in training” recently migrated from the Pacific Northwest to Pittsburgh. Follow her on Twitter @Nellvana.