5 Fall Festivals to Add To Your Calendar!

Summer may be over, but the weather is still warm and there's still plenty of fun to be had on Cape Cod in the Fall.

We've scoured the web for ideas, and have found so many great festivals, craft fairs, shows, art classes, and celebrations to choose from. For a comprehensive listing of happenings on the Cape and Islands, check out the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce website

Below, we've chosen our favorite few to highlight, in order by date (and they're already penciled onto our calendars!) Whatever you choose to do this Fall, make the most of this fabulous season on Cape Cod!

1. The Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival

September 15, 9am-7pm
September 16, 9am-5pm

Brooks Park, at the corner of Main Street and Oak Street, in Harwich Center Admission is FREE.

http://harwichcranberryfestival.org

The annual Cranberry Festival used to be a Fall staple, with hundreds of vendors, thousands of visitors, carnival rides on the Midway and gigantic displays of fireworks. In recent years, it's been scaled back and revised, and what has emerged is a more down-to-earth and folksy festival.

Brooks Park plays host to artisans, writers, artists and vendors, while the hollow in the woods features an eclectic musical line-up, sure to have something to please everyone. Saturday's musical line-up: Toast & Jam, Link Montana, Deke Dickerson, The Groovalottos and Entrain.

Sunday's line-up kicks off at noon with the annual Harwich Hometown Parade through town, ending at Brooks Park, and includes music by: Polka Dan's Beet Box Band, The Trees, The Mojoleros, and Big Ol' Dirty Bucket.

Food vendors will be available. Beer and Wine will be sold during the Music Festival.

The Music Festival is Sponsored by WMOR / WFMR.

2. 18th annual Barnstable County Harvest Festival AND 1st annual Cape Cod Brew Fest

September 29 and 30, 10am-4pm

Barnstable County Fairgrounds, Route 151,
East Falmouth

Admission for Harvest Festival: $5, kids 8 and under FREE. Parking is FREE.

Admission to Cape Cod Brew Fest: 21+ only, Tickets $45-$75; Designated Driver tickets $15

http://www.barnstablecountyfair.org/harvestfest/index.html

Celebrate the start of the fall holiday season at the annual Barnstable County Harvest Festival September 29-30.

All weekend, the county fairgrounds will transform into an autumn garden of festivities and family fun, including live entertainment by local bands, a marketplace of local farmers and crafters, pony rides, hayrides and much more, rain or shine.

Also at the Harvest Festival this year will be the 1st annual Cape Cod Brew Fest, a celebration of American craft breweries.

Over 30 breweries will be represented with over 60 styles of beer to sample and live music. The event will have two 3-hour sessions from 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

Visit http://www.capecodbrewfest.com for more information.

3. The 34th Annual Yarmouth Seaside Festival

October 6, 7 and 8
(always on Columbus Day weekend)

Laurence Mac Arthur Elementary School, 1175 Rt. 28 South Yarmouth
Admission is FREE.
http://yarmouthseasidefestival.com

The Yarmouth Seaside Festival was founded in 1978 in the hope of creating community spirit and pride in the Town of Yarmouth.

The Festival has grown into a gala event which boasts a craft fair of more than 125 crafters from all over the country, a giant parade, continual musical entertainment, high-quality children's events, kayak and canoe race, 5K road race, greased pole contests, pie-eating contests, fireworks display, etc. to name just a few.

Check out the website for more information and entry forms for races and contests.

4. The 12th Annual Wellfleet OysterFest

October 13 and 14
(always the weekend after Columbus Day)
Wellfleet Town Center
Admission is FREE.
http://www.wellfleetoysterfest.org

This two-day family festival celebrates the town's famous oysters, clams and shellfishing traditions and brings together locals and visitors alike for a weekend full of hometown flavor and big time fun!

The 'Fest is held primarily in the heart of Town Center and has expanded along the waterfront, to the Town Pier, in the Public Library and Wellfleet Preservation Hall, as well as other venues.

Look for nature walks and tours of the oyster beds on the mud flats, too!

Take a fun fall weekend get-away and experience local cuisine, sample New England brews and vines, check out arts and crafts from more than 90 carefully selected artisans and artists.

There's also competitive fun: The town's Recreation Department organizes a 5K road race for adults and a Kids' Fun Run for the younger set and a Tennis Round Robin. The Wellfleet Public Library offers a Spelling Bee for adults and children alike.

But the event that draws the biggest crowd is the Annual Oyster Shuck-Off Competition. The preliminaries are held on Saturday afternoon and the final shuck-off on Sunday. (One of Wellfleet's home-town shuckers – William "Chopper" Young, Jr. – has gone on to win the national and international shucking champion titles in past years.)

The 'Fest is produced by Wellfleet Shellfish Promotion and Tasting, or SPAT, a non-profit organization devoted to fostering a greater understanding of the town's shellfishing industry.

5. The 3rd Annual OKTOBERFEST! in Chatham

October 20, 12-4pm

Kate Gould Park, Main Street, Chatham
Admission is FREE.
http://www.chatham300.org/events

Pumpkin People in the Park, lobster bratwurst, bobbing for apples, face-painting, musical entertainment in Kate Gould Park – all just a small part of Chatham's newest festival, sponsored by the Chatham Merchants Association.

The larger-than-life Pumpkin People will have 300th-anniversary theme this year, created by area businesses and residents. They'll be on display in Kate Gould Park from October 13 through Halloween.

Arrive in town early, for the lines start forming at noon for the old-fashioned games, the classic Cape Cod clam chowder, tasty German fare and maybe even an oompah band!

Don't miss the added entertainment all up and down Main Street and beyond as the town's shops, restaurants and museums host raffles, give-a-ways, refreshments and more!