Feting fall foliage

Pumpkin Party rolls ’round to Grahamsville

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — The 21st annual Giant Pumpkin Party and Children’s Parade comes to Grahamsville on Saturday, October 7. Held at the Grahamsville Fairgrounds on Route 55 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Giant Pumpkin Party and Children’s Parade is a benefit for the Daniel Pierce Library.

The day starts with the Children’s Costume Parade, which is open to children of all ages. Groups wishing to enter a float in the parade should contact the Daniel Pierce Library for additional information. This year’s theme is “Books: A Treasure.” Marchers should assemble on the lawn of the Daniel Pierce Library at 8:30 a.m. Participants should park at the fairgrounds and take the free shuttle bus to the library. Entertainment at the library before the parade will be provided by Jack Luster and Dr. Professor Balloonakiss in a performance that takes the ordinary and transforms it into the magical.

At 9:00 a.m., parade participants will march the quarter-mile route to the fairgrounds, where a costume contest will be held immediately following the parade. Seventy prizes in seven categories will be awarded to children of all ages. There is also a category for “group” costumes.

Following the costume contest, the day-long musical entertainment will get underway. This year, the Giant Pumpkin Party welcomes The Kurpil Fiddlers, featuring Sam, Christina and Cindy Kurpil, and Swiftwater, featuring Donny and Cliff Jones, Brian Smith and Jim Yatsonsky.

There will be children’s games, pony rides, craft activities, an obstacle course, hay rides, a petting zoo, a hay maze, handmade crafts, a bake sale and a raffle featuring 42 prizes donated by local businesses, craftspeople and artists. In addition, Cinderella’s Coach will be available for picture taking and a special appearance by Cinderella herself is scheduled.

In addition to the costume contest, there will be a Giant Pumpkin Growing Contest (adult and children’s categories), a Pumpkin Decorating Contest, Country Bake Contest, Obstacle Course Contest, Hay Bale Throwing Contest, Scarecrow Contest, Tug-of-War and Theme Float Contest. Prizes and trophies will be awarded for each contest. Entry forms and contest rules are available by contacting the Daniel Pierce Library or at the information booth on the day of the party.

As appropriate for a library benefit, a collection of used books has been set aside for the special one-day sale. Paperback books cost $.25, hardcovers $.50. A whole bag of books costs $3.00.

Admission to the Giant Pumpkin Party and Children’s Parade is free, as is parking. All proceeds will go to the building fund for the Daniel Pierce Library and Time and the Valleys Museum.

For more information call 845/985-7233.

Antique dealers converge on Hawley for Fall Foliage show

HAWLEY, PA — Hawley will celebrate its 20th Fall Foliage Antique Show & Sale this weekend, kicking off with a patrons’ preview and harvest tea on Friday evening, October 6 and continuing from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The show is a benefit for the Ritz Theatre, the region’s longest continuously running non-profit community theatre, and is held in the deco-era theatre itself, located at 512 Keystone Street, Hawley, near Lake Wallenpaupack.

To mark the occasion of the 20th anniversary milestone, there will be a featured exhibit of articles and memorabilia from stage and screen as well as other areas of entertainment. Participating dealers have been asked to bring along any items in any way related to this collecting category as well in addition to their specialties.

The dealers at the Hawley Fall Foliage Show hail from throughout the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states and will offer an extensive and varied array of merchandise, much of it set aside especially for this event.

Some of the returning exhibitors for 2006 include Barbara Corrigan’s Books & Antiques (antiquarian books and paper items), Miss Elly’s Antiques & Such (furniture, primitives, vintage textiles and linens), Ann Street Antiques (estate and fine jewelry), J. Robert Kelz (primitives and selected furniture), Dakey & Fritz, (brilliant American cut glass), Bergesens Antiques (quality smalls) and the Company Store (holiday collectibles and smalls). Also participating are Tillies Antiques & Trinkets, Kurt Reed, The Ultimate and Interesting, Marjorie C. Murphy Antiques, The Mullens and Monika’s Antiques. By category, dealer specialties include exquisite art glass, depression era and elegant depression glass, fine porcelains, toys and dolls, fine art and paintings.

Friday evening’s patron’s preview (7:00 to 9:00 p.m.) includes catered seasonal fare (donation $6). Admission to the show Saturday or Sunday costs $3—all to benefit the Ritz Theatre.

For more information call 570/226-9752, or 383-8929.

Harvest & Heritage Days in Honesdale

HONESDALE, PA — Honesdale will roll out the pumpkins, hay bales, cornstalks, fall colors and scarecrows for its annual “Harvest & Heritage Days” on Saturday, October 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Craft vendors will dot Main Street on both days, as will a variety of creative scarecrows made by Honesdale merchants.

The second annual Corn Shucking Contest will be held under the Fred Miller Pavilion on Saturday, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be hay rides and railroad exhibits at the Wayne County Historical Museum on Main Street and in the Wayne County Visitors Center. The Visitors Center’s Exhibit Hall features a unique display depicting the movement of coal on the old Gravity Railroad and Delaware & Hudson Canal.

Also on Saturday, the Wayne County Library will host its annual Pumpkin Fest from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be baked goods, hot dogs, homemade soups and activities for the kids. At 1:00 p.m. the 4-H will hold its Pumpkin Round-up Contest.

Saturday evening will feature an antique car cruise in Honesdale’s Park and Shop Lot on Main Street from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. D.J. Rickie Z will play music from the ‘50s and ‘60s starting at 1:00 p.m.

New this year will be a Stourbridge Line Rail Excursion on Sunday, October 8, a scenic autumn ride from Hawley to Honesdale. The train leaves from the Hawley station at 11:00 a.m. and will arrive in Honesdale at approximately 11:45 a.m.

On Sunday, under the Fred Miller Pavilion, there will be musical entertainment beginning at 12:00 noon and continuing through 4:00 p.m. At 2:00 p.m., Dessin Animal Shelter will hold its “Animals on Parade” under the pavilion on Main Street.

Chili Day in October at Bethel Woods

BETHEL, NY — Bethel Woods Harvest Festival brings its season to a conclusion with a “Chili Day in October” this Sunday, October 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The two-time chili-making champion, the Smallwood-Mongaup Valley fire department, will defend its title against fire departments from all over the county. The Thunder 102 Chili of Choice Award will be judged at 12:00 noon by Paul Cilaberto and Mike Sakell of Thunder 102, along with Lou “Lord of the Trout” of the Eldred Preserve and Nashville recording artists Barry and Ken Somerville. The second round of judging will be at 12:30 p.m., when festival goers will be the judges as to which fire department makes the best chili in Sullivan County.

Results of the scarecrow contest will also be announced.

Music this week will be provided by Cleomas Ghost and Uptown Rockin’ Blues. Science fiction author Patrick Thomas will be on hand for a book signing.

As has become traditional on the festival’s last weekend, perishable items for local food programs will be collected.

The Harvest Festival is located at the corner of Hurd and West Shore Roads. The festival features a farmers’ market, craft village, corn and hay mazes, pony rides and special activities every week. Food is available for purchase.

For more information visit bethelwoodslive.org or call 845/295-2448.