All Weekend

Fall Scarecrow Festival (Fairfield County) 
Oronoque Farms in Shelton is home to this fun annual festival. For $20, they supply everything you need to make your own scarecrow. There will also be face painters on hand. Saturday-Sunday

Oktoberfest at Quassy Amusement Park (New Haven County) 
The 24th Annual Oktoberfest is this weekend at Quassy Amusement Park. The celebration of German culture includes food, music, dancing, and more. Saturday and Sunday.

CAMA Fall Festival (Litchfield County)
There will be demonstrations throughout the weekend of the sawmill, as well as other wood handling machinery including an antique planer, a splitter, and maybe even a drag saw. Visit the Blacksmith Shop and see various antique steam engines. Multiple food vendors will also be on site. Friday to Sunday.

Lyman Orchards' Corn Maze (Middlesex County) 
The beloved PEZ is more than just a candy: now it's a 4-acre Corn Maze with more than 2 miles of pathways! Will you get lost? Probably, but Maze Maps and helpful Corn Cops stationed along your route will help guide the way. Daily until November 1st.

Durham Fair (Middlesex County) 
The Durham Fair began in 1916, and that tradition continues today as Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair. The weekend includes live entertainment, rides and games on the Midway, first-class animal competitions, and discovery events on the Corn Stalk Stage. Thursday to Sunday.

Bristol Mum Festival (Hartford County) 
Celebrate Bristol, the Chrysanthemum capitol of the world, at this weekend-long festival that includes a parade, tethered hot air balloon rides, a petting zoo, touch-a-truck exhibits, and more. Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, September 26

Broken? Fix It! Grand Opening (Fairfield County) 
Attend the grand opening at Stepping Stones Museum for this traveling exhibit that teaches young visitors the satisfaction of fixing objects while encouraging problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Pipes in the Valley (Hartford County)
Enjoy this Celtic festival featuring Irish and Scottish musical performances. Other attractions include Highland games, kids activities, bagpipers, Celtic dancing, birds of prey, Highland cows, and delicious Celtic food. Free. 

Family Nature Day (Litchfield County) 
Head to White Memorial Conservation Center for this all day celebration of mother nature. Visit with hawks, falcons, reptiles, and even a native porcupine! There will also be horse drawn wagon rides. Free for children 12 and under. 

Green Chimneys Fall Festival (Putnam County, NY)
Not in CT but just a bit across the border and celebrating its ninth year, the Fall Harvest Festival offers fun-filled and educational activities for the entire family. Decorate a pumpkin, enjoy live animal demonstrations, and meet some of the nearly 300 animals who live on the grounds!
 

Sunday, September 27

Ridgefield's 3rd Annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off (Fairfield County)
See pumpkin growers from the region will come together to compete in a variety of large pumpkin categories. There will be a farm stand, vendor booths, live animals, musical entertainment, and other activities for children. Free.

Honey Day at Ogden House (Fairfield County)
Celebrate the colonial legacy of the honey bee while children learn about beekeeping and make some family-friendly crafts with fragrant herbs and flowers from the Colonial Kitchen Garden.

Wild Family Event at the Beardsley Zoo (Fairfield County) 
This fundraiser for the Tiny Miracles Foundation offers private access to the zoo. Kids will also enjoy carousel rides, face painting, and food from a variety of food trucks.

SkyQuest Planetarium Show (New Haven County)
Free public planetarium show consists of a brief live presentation of what can be seen in the night sky that week, followed by a recorded show. The doors open 30 minutes prior to show, and the entire program takes 40-45 minutes. Free.

By Land and By Sea: Antique Vehicle Show (New London County)
Autophiles of all ages will love this display of more than 100 authentic pre-1930 cars, trucks, and motorcycles as they transform the Mystic Seaport village and waterfront into a hub of 1920s life. The day concludes with a grand parade.

Photo: Stepping Stones