Harvest & Heritage Days boasts something for everyone
Honesdale. Roots & Rhythm is back, and so are tours of the Old Stone Jail, hayrides, fall foliage train rides on the Stourbridge Lion, ghost tours, pumpkin painting, and much more.
| 06 Oct 2021 | 03:15
Historic Honesdale, Pa., in autumn (Facebook photo)
Historic Honesdale rolls out the pumpkins, hay bales, corn stalks, and fall colors for its annual Harvest & Heritage Days festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 10.
Everything is back in full swing, so be ready for pumpkin painting, blacksmith demos, wandering through local boutique shops and vendors, and food to please any age or palate.
Roots & Rhythm is back for a peek of what 2022 will have on hand. Join them for some jazz at the Fred Miller Pavilion on both Saturday and Sunday. Look for their updates at honesdalerootsandrhythm.com.
The Wayne County Historical Society will open the Old Stone Jail and downtown museum for tours. Information on times and attractions can be found on their website at waynehistorypa.com or by calling 570-253-3240 Relax with a scenic train ride or with an old-fashioned hayride. The Stourbridge Line will show off all the local foliage with a scenic ride along the Lackawaxen River, and hayrides will be offered downtown, for a small fee, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on Stourbridge Line excursions and ticket prices, visit thestourbridgeline.net, call 570-470-2697, or email info@thestourbridgeline.net.
At night, learn Honesdale’s creepy secrets with a ghost tour. These horrific tales will teach and torture. Meet at Central Park for a 40-minute walking tour held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are timed and will only be sold online at VisitHonesdalePA.com.
Visit the Wayne County Farmers’ Market, 200 Willow Avenue (Route 6) on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. You will find fresh produce, flowers, plants, herbs, and many more locally grown and handmade items. Honesdale’s Main Street is eight blocks long, so wear your walking shoes.
The day is hosted by the Greater Honesdale Partnership. This year, sponsors are the President Sponsors are the Dime Bank, EXCAB, Inc, FNCB Bank, Honesdale National Bank, Unrivaled Realizations, and Wayne Bank.
OTHER FALL FESTS IN THE AREA
Jim Thorpe, Pa., Fall Foliage Festival on Oct. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy scenic train rides, handmade arts and crafts, delicious food, free live music, spooky ghost tours, and more. For more information visit poconomountains.com/f760.
Wantage Day Fall Festival will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Woodbourne Park. This fun-filled event is hosted by the Wantage Township, N.J., Recreation Department. It includes music by Reno, vendors, human foosball, a fire prevention smoke house, food trucks and craft beer. If you are over 60 and play softball, bring your glove to join an exhibition game hosted by the North Jersey Senior Men’s Softball League. You may even bump into a Star Wars character at the festival, when The 501st Legion, The Northeast Remnant, makes its appearance. The event will end with a fireworks display at 7 p.m.
Newton, N.J., Fall Festival and Car Show is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, rain or shine, on historic Spring Street in Newton. There will be vendors and crafts along with performances by the bands Rock Kandy and The Café Racers. A car show with DJ Doc South will be held in the lot across from town hall. Dress up for the 1950s costume contest. Seasonal foods will be available for purchase by the Newton First Aid Squad and the Newton Fire Department. Parking will be free that day.
Byram, N.J., Fest: Byram Fest is shaping up to offer a variety of fun family activities, from food truck vendors to inflatable rides for all ages, followed by an evening fireworks display presented by Serpico Pyrotechnics. The festival will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct 9, at C.O. Johnson Park. The rain date is Oct. 10. Bring a chair, bring the kids, bring a friend, and make some memories while enjoying music provided by Magic Touch DJs.
Sparta, N.J., Car Show: The Sparta Historical Society’s Antique Car Show is now in its sixth year. See more than 100 classic vehicles, including fire trucks, parked on the grassy lawn of the Van Kirk Museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, next to Sparta Middle School at 336 Main Street. he museum will also be open for its new exhibit, “The Creative Spirit: Homespun Arts,” with indoor and outdoor demonstrations of spinning, weaving, knitting and crocheting, plus the museum exhibit showcasing quilts, samplers, hats and lace, all from local life 1820 to 1920. Admission is free. The Sparta VFW will sell burgers and hot dogs.
Wild West City’s Haunted Fest runs weekends with all-ages activities during the daytime and starting Oct. 8 a “PG-13” rated version for the evenings. Expect appearances from the headless horseman and dance along to the Zombie Can-Can girls, and more. A children’s costume contest and trick or treating will also be held daily. The main street and all its buildings will be decked out for Halloween with lights, effects, and a special spooky cocktail will be offered by the Golden Nugget Saloon for those 21 and over. For tickets and more about the Haunted Wild West Fest visit wildwestcity.com/hauntedwildwestfest.
SCCC Halloween Bash: Come out for a great night of Halloween fun when Sussex County Community College hosts Halloween Bash on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the Connor Green. The event will feature a presentation of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” adapted by Luella McMahon, and produced by North Star Theater Company, a non-profit theater company located in Sussex. bThe Halloween Bash will also include music, a costume contest, and prizes. This event is free and open to the community. Attendees should bring their own chairs.