By SANDI SWITZER

As the days grow shorter and a chill is noticeable in the evening air, there may be no better way to celebrate summer’s end than at one of the many Harvest Festivals in large cities and rural hamlets around the state.

These autumn classics, set in the backdrop of spectacular fall foliage, feature some of Vermont’s finest products, from produce and pumpkins to fine wines and cheeses.

The array of Harvest Festivals scheduled during several weekends in September and October are as diverse as the communities and groups sponsoring the events.

The second annual Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival is a three-day event in the Mount Snow Valley region September 25, 26 and 27. The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Vermont Life magazine in hosting what has been named one of Vermont’s top 10 fall events.

The festival offers visitors the opportunity to savor some of the state’s finest wines, cheeses and specialty foods while enjoying artisans’ pottery, jewelry, hand-blown glass, photography and other creations.

Weekend events include a bluegrass barbecue to kick off the festival September 25 at the Matterhorn Inn in West Dover with Vermont breakfasts, wine and cheese receptions and a series of wine-pairing dinners at some of the region’s finest restaurants during the weekend.

“The festival grounds are located in Wilmington, and we have a breakfast that occurs in Whitingham and another in Dover. We have five wine-pair dinners, and four of them take place in Dover,” said Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Laura Sibilia.

The festival’s mission is to create an awareness of Vermont specialty foods, products and wine.

“This year we have 10 Vermont wineries, a number of Vermont restaurants, specialty-food producers and many artists,” Sibilia said.

The grounds, located at the intersection of routes 9 East and 100 South in Wilmington, have been reconfigured to create more space for Vermont foods and wines.

“Last year, those areas were smaller, and we had a huge arts and crafts tent, which is wonderful because we always want to showcase anything made in Vermont,” Sibilia said.

“But, the centerpiece of the festival is wine and harvest and foods. We really wanted to grow in that area, and we have.”

The festival also will offer live music, with performances from the Will Patton Trio and Howard Brofsky Trio. Demonstrations by renowned chefs, including Ted Fondulas from Hemingway’s Restaurant in Killington and Tristan Toleno from Riverview Café in Brattleboro, will be offered.

“We have a little bit of everything going on; we also have some a cappella groups and solo performers roaming around,” Sibilia said.

Visitors will also enjoy the Mount Snow Valley setting for the harvest festival, she added. “It’s a beautiful area. It’s like you’re in a foliage bowl with the mountains surrounding it,” Sibilia said.

Primary sponsors include the town of Dover, Honora Winery and Vineyard, Inc., Mount Snow, Vermont Public Radio and Chittenden Bank. For more information, visit www.thevermontfestival.com.

In Woodstock, the Billings Farm and Museum is hosting the 25th annual Harvest Weekend October 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The two-day event offers visitors the opportunity to experience a bit of yesteryear, with lots of 19th-century activities planned for all ages.

Traditional activities like husking bees, barn dances, cider pressing, butter and ice cream making and even harvesting of root vegetables will take place each day. Other activities include shelling vegetables, fence building, apples on a string, and historic children’s games.

“It’s a celebration of Vermont harvest, and it’s one of our most popular events,” said Susan Plump, public relations coordinator for Billings Farm and Museum.

There will be large displays of apples, squash and pumpkins, with hot spiced cider and homemade doughnuts available. “We also have our farm programs going on, too. So there’s cow, chicken and sheep programs happening both days,” Plump said.

Visitors can also kick back and enjoy the autumn splendor surrounding one of the finest operating dairy farms in the country. “Lots of people just like to come and bring a picnic lunch, explore the grounds and enjoy the fall foliage,” Plump said. For more information, visit www.billingsfarm.org.

To the north, the Bristol Harvest Festival will take place at the Town Green in the center of Bristol on September 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We have 77 booths, an apple pie contest, music all day long. We have a farmers’ market, pony rides, a special kids’ area and lots of crafters,” said Marguerite Senecal, information specialist with the Addison County Chamber of Commerce.

The Lawrence Memorial Library will be sponsoring a book sale, and Art on Main will be hosting a silent auction, Senecal said.

“The Taste of Bristol will all be under one tent. Any business in Bristol that has to do with food is invited to participate and offer some of their best under that tent,” she added.

Cranky Yanky Twyne will be demonstrating rope making, and other artisans will be offering insights into their own crafting skills, said Senecal.

“There is no admission fee,” she said. “Lots of entertainment for free, lots of browsing for free, and it’s a nice setting because the trees are turning, there’s a nice feel in the air and it’s a sweet little country town.”

The event is being sponsored by the Bristol Recreation Department and the Five Town Business Council, which is a division of the Addison County Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.addisoncounty.com.

On October 3, the Brandon Harvestfest will take place in Central Park beginning at 10 a.m. Visitors can help create harvest people, enjoy a barbecue and old-fashioned hay rides, feast on apple pies and even select Halloween pumpkins. The Brandon Town Band is scheduled to perform. For more information, visit www.brandon.org.

For a list of Vermont fall harvest festivals and events, visit www.vermont.gov and follow the travel and recreation link to the events, fairs and festivals calendar. ?