Fall Guide Experience 20 p o r t l a n d monthly magazine from top: York Pumpkin Fest by devyn poirier Fairs Cumberland County Fair, Cumberland Fairgrounds. Exhibition halls, midway, livestock, animal pulls, de- molition derby, barbecue, and pumpkin and squash weigh-offs,Sept. 24-30. Eliot Festival Days, vari- ous locations around town. 5K road race, crafts, food booths, pancake breakfast, parade, and fireworks, Sept.30. Farmington Fair. Live- stock,midway, harness racing,and animal pulling, Sept.17-23. Fryeburg Fair,“Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic” since 1851. Livestock, pig scramble, midway rides, sheepdog trials, a woods- men’s field day of timber- related competitions, live music,magicians, storytell- ing,and puppets,Oct. 1-8. 935-3268. OxfordCountyFair,68 PottleRoad.Livestock shows,horsepulling,pig scramble,pettingzoo,ATV andlawnmowerpulls,tradi- tionalfarmingandcrafting demonstrations,livemusic, andfood,Sept.13-16. Food Festivals: Acadia’s Oktoberfest & Food Festival, 20 Main St., Southwest Harbor.Wine and cheese tasting,Maine- based brewfest, locally sourced food, and crafts, Oct.6-7. Apple Pumpkin Festival, Livermore Falls.Food, music,kids’ activities, crafts, Sept.30. 897-6755. Bethel Harvestfest & Chowdah Cookoff, Bethel Village Common. Annual tradition with crafts, a farmer’s market, chowder and apple, Sept. 16. 824-2282 Cornish Apple Festival, 17 Maple St.,Cornish. 5k road race,craft and produce vendors,apple- pie baking competition, food booths with apple and non-apple offerings, and live entertainment, Sept.30. Damariscotta Pump- kinfest and Regatta. Pinkham’s Plantation, 431 Biscay Rd.Pumpkin- boat regatta and derby, pumpkin catapulting,giant pumpkin art,pumpkin-pie eating,and parade,Oct. 6-9. Harvestfest, Short Sands Beach,York.Traditional fall harvest food,kids activities, crafts,and music,Oct.14. Harvest on the Harbor, Ocean Gateway, Portland. 9th annual food and wine festival (21+ only).Chef demonstrations,lobster chef competition,Brews & Blues BBQ,tasting events, Oct.16-24. Maine Harvest Festival, Cross Insurance Ctr.,Ban- gor.A delicious celebra- tion of Maine’s small farms and their bounty,Nov. 11-12. Maine Lakes Brew Fest, Point Sebago Beach.The area’s largest annual sam- pling event and Oktober- fest features Maine-made beers,micro-brews,and wine; with food,live music, and the Point Sebago Craft Fair,Sept.30. Portland Beer Week,Port- land.Join the Maine craft beer industry and local businesses as we partake in various events taking place in Portland,Maine and surrounding areas. See website for details. Nov.5-11. Swine and Stein Oktober- fest,Downtown Water St, Gardiner.The 7th Annual Swine & Stein Oktoberfest is a trifecta of beer,food, and music.A beer tasting will showcase the incred- ible diversity of Maine craft beers along with food from quality Maine restaurants. Oct.7. Art Festivals Camden International Film Festival.The 10th anniversary of the festival created to highlight emerging documentary filmmakers. Screening more than 70 films,most followed by Q&A sessions with the artists, Sept.14-17. 593-6593 Cappricio Festival of the Arts,Ogunquit.Coordinat- ed by Ogunquit Perform- ing Arts,an expanded Festival is planned, Sept. 8-17. Freeport Fall Festival, Freeport. Live music,arts and craft exhibitors,and some of Maine’s best food- including annual favorite, the Chowdah Challenge. Oct 6-8. Fall Festival Weekend, Sunday River Resort.The unofficial kickoff to Sunday River’s winter season, the festival includes live music,a beer garden, wine tasting,arts & crafts, scenic lift and wagon rides, children’s games and activities,and the famous North American Wife Car- rying Championship, Oct. 7-8.(800) 543-2754 Maine Maritime Film Fes- tival,Bucksport.A juried contest of films celebrat- ing the heritage,spirit of adventure,and ingenuity of boats and waterborne pursuits, Sept.29-Oct.1. Pumpkinfiddle Family Festival and National Estuaries Day Celebra- tion,342 Laudholm Farm Rd.,Wells. Live music, traditional arts demonstra- tions,sheepdogs,and horses gather to celebrate the beauty and value of Maine’s estuaries,and to foster environmental stewardship, Sept.30. Sunday River Open Dart Tournament,Sunday River Resort. Zipline tours,hik- ing,mountain biking,and disc golf,in addition to dart matches with a $10k grand prize, Sept.15-17. Trails End Festival, downtown Millinocket. Parade,learn-to-paddle excursions,chili cook-off, and musical performances by Emily Guillow and Portland’s Mallet Brothers, Sept.16-18. Learning Festivals Acadia Night Sky Fes- tival,Bar Harbor.Night hikes,a paddle in a bio- luminescent bay,science presentations,and themed movies in this celebration of the best stargazing site on the Eastern seaboard, Sept.21-24.