Although there are still some days of summer left in this month, September is definitely the kickoff to fall’s fair and festival season. Here are eight such events that celebrate our area and its bounty.
The Reisterstown Festival
Make your summer last a week longer, festival organizers say, by celebrating the 33rd annual Reisterstown Festival, which includes a Main Street parade, live music, a car show, shopping, games and food. Hold Saturday night open for fireworks. Sept. 7-8, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. at Hannah More Park. $5 donation requested. reisterstownfest.com
Anne Arundel County Fair Week
What’s a year without a visit to a fair for some old-school fun? Enjoy typical carnival rides, food truck snacks and pony rides as well as livestock expositions, home arts exhibits and competitive contests. Sept. 11-15, 5-10 p.m. at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. $10. aacountyfair.org
Baltimore Seafood Festival
Get a taste of Baltimore’s best seafood at the sixth annual Baltimore Seafood Festival. Take part in cooking demos, listen to live music, get your face painted or simply enjoy all the steamed crabs your stomach can handle. Sept. 14, noon-7 p.m. at Canton Waterfront Park. $15. baltimoreseafoodfest.com
Bel Air Festival for the Arts
Come rain or shine to see the work of more than 350 artists. Jam out to live music and snack on great food as you check out these artisans’ wares. Sept. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Shamrock Park. Free. belairmd.org
Winterbrook Farms’ Opening Weekend
Ring in the season by exploring the pumpkin patch or launching apples from cannons at this year’s opening-weekend festivities. The farm is open through Nov. 3, but you could be one of the first to maneuver through this year’s fall corn maze. Sept. 21-22, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. at Winterbrook Farms in Thurmont. $10. winterbrookfarmsmd.com
Westminster Fallfest
The weekend festival kicks off with a Thursday night parade in historic downtown Westminster. Compete in the corn-hole tournament, strap in for the carnival rides or simply enjoy this event’s community spirit. Sept. 26-29, 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 (check website for weekend times) at Westminster City Park. Free. westminsterfallfest.com
Gaver Farm Apple Harvest Festival
Apple-picking season starts with a free hayride at this farm’s festival. Gaver Farm is known for its apple cider doughnuts, apple cider and apple pies, all sold at the food stand. Festival-goers also can shop for apples. Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Gaver Farm in Mount Airy. Free. gaverfarm.com
Fall Harvest Festival
Make your own scarecrow, paint a pumpkin, bob for apples or sit back and enjoy a hayride. Bring the family together for bluegrass music and cider pressing. Sept 28-29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Steppingstone Farm Museum, Havre de Grace. $10. steppingstonemuseum.org
