Enfield
It’s the perfect weather to attend outdoor events, particularly the festivals that the Upper Valley has in abundance during the fall.
One such event taking place this weekend is the Enfield Shaker Museum Cider Festival, from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday.
“This started out as more of an adult event but this year we’ve added more activities for families with children so all are welcome,” said Dolores Struckhoff, the museum’s executive director.
The idea began with a relationship between the museum and Farnum Hill Ciders in Lebanon.
“We wanted to do a harvest dinner so we did it in conjunction with that,” Struckhoff recalled. The museum recruited other area cidreries and artisan cheese makers. “The Shakers actually made cider themselves so it really fit in with our mission to educate our audience about the Shakers.”
Farnum Hill will be returning this year, along with other New England cidreries. The museum will also have its cider press going.
About 100 people attended last year and, while the number was lower than other popular Enfield Shaker Museum events, such as the annual Harvest Festival, “we felt really good about it because it was our first time around,” Struckhoff said.
In addition to adding children’s activities, the museum has also added a pop-up farmers and craft market and more live music.
Admission costs are as follows: adults, $12; ages 13-17, $8; 12 and under $5; families, $20. Includes museum admission.
Here are some other fall-themed events taking place this weekend:
Book Sale and Fall Festival in Claremont: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. A large selection of new, used and gently read fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children, along with a bake sale, make-and-take crafts and a quilt raffle. Fiske Free Library, 108 Broad St. 603-542-7017.
Harvest Bazaar in Bradford, Vt.:
Wagon Ride Weekend in Woodstock:
Harvest Turkey Dinner in White River Junction: 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Roast turkey, dressing and gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, peas and pearl onions, fruit salad, beverages, homemade pies and desserts. Take-out is available; call to order. $6-$12. St. Anthony’s Church, 15 Church St. 802-356-3527.
Harvest Supper in West Fairlee:
Harvest Festival Meatball Supper in Claremont:
Orange Festival in Orange:
Wagon Ride Weekend in Woodstock:
Ghost Walk in Tunbridge:
Foliage Five Run in Thetford: 2 p.m. A scenic race during peak foliage. Proceeds support an Upper Valley Running Club scholarship to benefit a local high school runner. Register on race day or at racewire.com. $10-$15. Union Village Dam, 2 Main St. 603-448-5121.
Editor’s note: For more information about the Enfield Shaker Museum Cider Festival, call 603-632-4346 or visit shakermuseum.org/. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com.
