Fair, the Wool Fest (popular with knitters and weavers), sheepdog herding trials, music and dance performances and the ever-popular Lamb Dine Around and Foodie Feast.
way imaginable, join in a number of contests, watch a parade, and cheer at the crowning of cranberry royalty. And, of course, there are plenty of shopping opportunities at the more than 800 arts / crafts booths and 300-odd flea market booths.
www.trailingofthesheep.org, 208-720-0585
www.cranfest.com, 608-348-4200
Santa Fe Harvest Festival, New Mexico As the autumn breeze sweeps through the historic grounds of El Rancho de Las Golondrinas (The Ranch of the Swallows), an historic 18th-century ranch and now a living history museum, you can join fellow guests for a celebration of the bountiful harvest season. The Rancho occupies 200 rural acres and features more than 30 historic buildings, all set against a backdrop of majestic cottonwood trees. Visitors can learn the time-honored tradition of stringing vibrant red chili ristras (hanging decorations composed of dried chili pods) and wander through the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect prospective jack-o’-lantern for your fall decor. You might also choose to experience the barefoot glee of stomping grapes or discovering the art of crafting corn husks into souvenirs with help from period-dressed docents. The dry desert air is sure to induce some thirst— easily quenched with a glass of Golondrinas Gold Ale, brewed from local hops by Beer Creek Brewing, or you can savor the flavors of Sheehan Winery’s finest New Mexican wines. We suggest you finish off your day on a hayride around the ranch to soak in the sights and scents of the season.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio Hands down, this is America’s largest Octoberfest celebration, and it’s expected to attract more than 800,000 visitors to the streets of downtown Cincinnati, September 18-21. First held in 1976 and drawing on the rich German heritage of southwest Ohio, this extravaganza serves up more than enough beer to wash down all the brats, schnitzel, sauerkraut, oversized pretzels, and Black Forest cake you could possibly ingest. Aside from eating and drinking, there’s plenty of fun activities, including, as you might imagine, lots of polka music.
The beer stein hoisting competition and bratwurst- eating contest are popular events, but the most
www.golondrinas.org, 505-471-2261
Warrens Cranberry Festival, Wisconsin Wisconsin is the leading cranberry producing state in America and this event in Warrens has grown to become the world’s largest cranberry fest, drawing nearly 150,000 visitors annually. This year’s event, September 26-28, will once again crowd the streets of the wee town of Warrens (population 400) to celebrate the harvest of the tart, tasty, and nutritional red berries.
Crafters demonstrate their skills at Santa Fe’s Harvest Festival, credit Hero Images
Visitors can tour the marshes, or bogs, where the berries are grown, eat cranberries prepared every
AMERICAN FALL FESTIVALS
COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE FALL 2025 | 30
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