Fall Festivals

ARIZONA

Earth Harmony Sustainability Festival

Photo Credit: Earth Harmony Sustainability Festival

Oct. 3–4 — Hosted by Avalon Organic Gardens & EcoVillage, this festival allows guests to learn about eco-living and experience it firsthand in Tumacacori on 220 acres in the beautiful Santa Cruz River Valley. Almost all of those acres are farmland and sustain the 120-member EcoVillage all year with crops grown using organic gardening techniques, solar power, and more. Come look at a different, more earth-conscious way to live! Festivalgoers are encouraged to enjoy the beauty and harmony of the farm, as well as participate in educational discussions on sustainable living practices to use at home. There will be hands-on demonstrations, art, food and tours of the Garden and EcoVillage. Opportunities for camping, hay rides and pony rides will be abundant throughout the festival. TaliasVan and the Bright & Morning Star Band, VansGuard, Starseed Acoustic Ensemble, and Israfel Awakened will provide folk rock, modern melodies and other live music. For those interested in starting their own EcoVillage, seminars will be held later in the month with more information. earthharmonyfestival.org

Tucson Meet Yourself Folklife Festival

Photo Credit: Tucson Meet Yourself Folklife Festival

Oct. 9–11 — Focusing on Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico, this festival puts a spotlight on the traditions, foods, art, music and dancing of the ethnic and folk communities in this area. This downtown Tucson event looks specifically to show and present “living traditions,” or traditions that artists are still participating in today to keep their cultural and community identities alive. These artists include over 550 home cooks, dancers, musicians, artisans and more, all with something unique to demonstrate and share. Festivalgoers can participate in street dances and hands-on workshops, or go to one of the many presentations hosted by local artists. Running since 1974, the festival brings in over 100,000 attendees who want to learn more about the culture of the area and maybe even themselves. With more than 50 cultural food vendors, the meals are a favorite part of the festival since so many different kinds of food are available to try. Over 60 different cultural groups, ethnicities and nationalities are represented at the festival, giving guests the chance to get involved and learn about a variety of people.
tucsonmeetyourself.org

CALIFORNIA

CRSSD Music Festival

Photo Credit: Jose Negrete

Oct. 10–11 — This concert tour featuring over 40 top acts in electronic music and other genres comes to downtown San Diego’s Waterfront Park for a fall festival. The park is on San Diego Bay with performers on three main stages: Ocean View Live, City Steps and The Palms. The Flaming Lips, Big Data and Jamie XX are among some of the popular groups performing at this ticketed event for festivalgoers 21 and older. Attendees can enjoy food, mixed drinks and craft beer throughout the event and can even go to a special VIP area for a better view. Advance tickets for a weekend pass are $115. crssdfest.com

San Diego Film Festival

Photo Credit: San Diego Film Festival

Sept. 30–Oct. 4 — Theaters in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and ArcLight Cinemas in La Jolla will be the sites for this 14th annual festival offering two walkthrough screening venues. Out of over 2,000 submissions, guests can view over 100 screenings of American and international short subjects, documentaries and features as well as talk with the filmmakers themselves afterward. Directors, filmmakers, and artists will be on hand for panel discussions, parties, workshops and Q&A sessions. In recent years, this festival has given attendees a first look at future Oscar winners and nominees such as The Imitation Game, Whiplash, Silver Linings Playbook, and 12 Years a Slave. Day, Festival and VIP passes are available online. sdfilmfest.com

Adams Avenue Street Fair

Photo Credit: Adams Avenue Street Fair

Sept. 26–27 — Southern California’s largest free two-day music festival is held each year during the last weekend in September in the Normal Heights community of San Diego along Adams Avenue. Starting at 10 a.m. each day, the fair features 110 musical acts on eight stages with reggae, R&B, indie, blues, and more for an original mix of music. Although this year’s lineup is yet to be posted, it promises to again be an exciting mix of local favorites and outside influences. The festival brings more than music—festivalgoers can hop on giant carnival rides, sample unique foods, enjoy a beer or two, and browse through over 350 arts and crafts booths. The Street Fair’s Craft Beer Taste will feature on-site tastings of 30 craft beers from 16 breweries, including Aztec Brewing Co., Automatic Brewing Co. and Ballast Point. The tasting will offer 12 four-ounce tastes for $20 and will be available on Saturday only; however, four other beer gardens will be open throughout the weekend featuring full pour servings of San Diego’s best craft beer selection. adamsavenuebusiness.com/Adams-Avenue-Street-Fair.html

Borrego Days Desert Festival

Oct. 23-25 – Borrego Days Desert Festival, now in its 50th year, has a long history of being “The” launch event for the new season in Southern California’s desert regions. Enticing locals to come together after a long hot summer and welcoming snowbirds back with the fabulous desert weather, this highly anticipated event comes to the delight of adults and children. Kicking off the festival is a VIP reception for local dignitaries, notables, festival board members and sponsors. On Saturday, festivalgoers will line the main street for the popular parade that includes a flyover, equestrians, marching bands, floats, clowns and dancers. Not to be missed is the live entertainment with artists, food vendors, children’s activities, a beer and beverage garden, a commercial grade carnival fun zone (includes inflatable water slides, obstacle course, bull rides and more), an expanded air show, outdoor shopping, collector automobiles, audience choice competitions, and more. All of this is in a party-filled atmosphere, fun for the entire family and located in the middle of town at the historic Christmas Circle. borregodays.com

Death Valley ‘49ers Encampment

Photo Credit: Death Valley 49ers Encampment

Nov. 11–15 — The Death Valley ‘49ers Encampment and Western Music Festival, held at the Furnace Creek Resort, is an annual family event that creates a living history of the pioneers who traveled far searching for better lives. Join in and celebrate the western way of life with unique experiences, presentations, and hands-on demonstrations. A wagon train brings back the sights and sounds of the gold rush, while Chautauqua performances, films and historical programs focus on the characters and events that shaped the west. Attendees can participate in gold panning, a wheelbarrow race, a pioneer costume contest, golf tournament, and the world’s lowest 1849 poker tournament while arts and craft shows round out the program offerings. A family-friendly event, the festival is known for nightly western music that evokes the era of wagon trains and cattle drives. This year’s master of ceremonies will be Richard Elloyan, a featured performer at the Elko and Colorado cowboy poetry gatherings. Returning is the Old West Trio, who have entertained encampment audiences with traditional favorites as well as newly minted cowboy classics. The trio earned the Will Rogers Award in 2011 from the Academy of Western Artists for Best Western Music Group of the Year. The cost of all encampment activities is $25 for an individual and $40 for families, including children under 18. Lodging is available at Furnace Creek Resort and National Park Service campgrounds, including Furnace Creek, Sunset, Texas Spring and Stovepipe Wells. Additional RV parks with full hookups are also available in nearby Beatty, Nevada. deathvalley49ers.org

IDAHO

Western Heritage Festival

Photo Credit: The Boise Stage Stop

Sept. 18–20 — Festivalgoers are invited to Boise for a weekend of western entertainment, reenactments and Hollywood stars. Photo signings and Q&As will be held with Robert Fuller, Dan Haggerty, Roberta Shore, and other actors from popular western programs. A Dinner with the Stars on Saturday will provide a more intimate opportunity to meet these actors and actresses. Besides the Hollywood buzz, the festival offers a chance for guests to learn about the history of Idaho and what the Old West really looked like. In a detailed Old West Town, participants can walk through the saloon, church and reenactment camps to experience living in the Civil War and pre-Civil War eras. Performers will reenact everything from the American Civil War to cowboy fast-draws to Dutch-oven cooking, giving attendees a genuine taste of the Old West. Cowboy poets, singer/songwriters, and other artists such as Tracy Morrison, Corey James and Madison Seamans will perform throughout the three days for even more entertainment. A one-day adult admission is $10; a three-day adult admission is $24. idahowesternheritagefestival.com

NEVADA

Reno Celtic Celebration

Photo Credit: Reno Celtic Celebration

Oct. 3–4 — Celebrating its 25th year, this Celtic festival aspires to show newcomers and regulars alike the best of Celtic heritage. The Western United States Pipe Band Association will conduct a full pipe band competition. International American, and traditional Celtic food will be available to munch on during the wide variety of entertainment, along with a sip of beer and wine for attendees 21 and over. On the dance stage will be Scottish, Irish and other types of dance performed to live music that ranges from traditional to modern Celtic, including bagpipe bands. A collection of classic British automobiles will be on display at the main gate. Another unique aspect is the Celtic Critter Village, where festivalgoers will see Celtic breeds of cats, dogs, horses and other animals. This festival brings more to the table than just a few bagpipes. Music is a big part of the festival though, with the groups 317 and the BlackEyed Dempseys playing traditional Celtic mixed with a bit of rock, punk and alternative music. renoceltic.org

NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Photo Credit: Cindy Hunt

Oct. 3–11 — This massive festival brings almost 600 balloons to the 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque for a sky sight like none other. There will be multiple mass ascensions, balloon glows, and a Special Shape Rodeo where balloons that are shaped like a character, animal or other object line the clouds. At the After Glow Fireworks, festivalgoers can see an evening balloon glow lit up with fireworks. There is more to this weeklong event than balloons—the Fiesta also features a film festival, a juried art show, and a music festival headlined by The Band Perry along with performers Gloriana and Two Way Crossing. The fun doesn’t end there either. With a full entertainment schedule offered every day at two locations, both the Sandia Resort and Casino Main Stage and Main Street will have a myriad of performers. Watch chainsaw carving, dance at Salsa Night, or listen to the musical acts throughout the festival such as The New Mexichords, Mark’s Midnight Carnival Show and others playing music from all genres—jazz to blues to indie rock to Western swing. Many of the main events within the festival will bring in over 100,000 people, so it is recommended to arrive by 4 to 4:30 a.m. for morning events and 4 p.m. for evening events. The waitlist is now closed for RV park spaces—look ahead of time for other options. balloonfiesta.com

OREGON

Corvallis Fall Festival

Photo Credit: Randy Joss

Sept. 26–27 — This volunteer-driven festival brings art, music, food and more to the community of Corvallis in one whirlwind weekend. Over 30,000 visitors will drop in on the town to browse the 160 or more art vendors presenting their best in 2D, photography, ceramics, glass and other mediums. Big appetites are welcome at the festival, with 18 nonprofit groups offering savory favorites from local restaurants as well as their own scrumptious concoctions. All of these groups are fundraising for local organizations, so fill your plate for a good cause. At the Eco-Smart Food Court, festivalgoers can take a step towards a healthier world by using compostable dishes and recycling them. This feel-good, Earth-smart festival has 1K, 5K, and 10K runs on Sunday and a street dance on Saturday, along with nonstop music and live entertainment. Served up on two stages, the festival features blues, surf, rock, R&B, indie, folk, and alternative music. The wineries of “Heart of the Willamette Wineries” will be pouring samples in the food court and selling whole bottles of their favorites. Mazama Brewery, a local favorite, will also be on tap throughout the weekend. corvallisfallfestival.org

UTAH

Red Rock Film Festival

Photo Credit: Red Rock Film Festival

Nov. 2–8 — Documentaries, animation, experimental, fiction, and short shorts include just a few of the genres represented at this film festival in Cedar City. Screenings will be held at the Heritage Center Theater, where you can be the first to see a large variety of original films. There are even some Easter Eggs, or surprise films that are not on the schedule. Film competitions will be held for almost every genre, and film fanatics will go wild for the seminars, workshops, filmmaker tours and a special filmmaker hike. Focus screenings will be held for specific genres and there will be opening/closing night parties to add to the fun. The festival is held near Zion Park, perfect for beautiful hikes. redrockfilmfestival.com

Moab Senior Games

Photo Credit: Moab Senior Games

Nov. 4–7 — This sports event dedicated to people over 50 is a great chance to get your heart pumping while participating in some friendly competition. Discover southeastern Utah in the fall with this Moab-based event featuring a variety of sports in six locations throughout the city. Organizers encourage everyone to join, whether you have competed in years past or are a first-time player—the point is entertainment, fun and fitness, both mental and physical. Disc golf, golf, pickleball, powerwalk/racewalk, table tennis, track and field, and regular tennis are offered during this four-day sports experience. Be sure to register soon, though, as registration for most events closes after October 15; walk-up registration is only available for select events. moabseniorgames.com

WASHINGTON

Car is King Weekend and the Maryhill Arts Festival

Photo Credit: Maryhill Museum of Art

Oct. 3–4 — Classic autos and original art combine for this weekend festival in Goldendale at the Maryhill Museum of Art. The event will begin Saturday with an open classic car show featuring dozens of classic, sport and customized cars—feel free to enter your own unique car for the chance to win prizes. The Maryhill Arts Festival will be open both days, offering guests a chance to view paintings, glass art, woodwork, ceramics, jewelry, and other innovative works by over 50 artists from the Northwest. Opened only two times a year to cars, the historic Maryhill Loops Road will be available to drive on. Attendees are encouraged to take their own cars out for a scenic journey along this original road before watching vintage cars take a similar route on Sunday. At the favorite Maryhill Loops Hill Climb, vintage sports cars race one at a time up a three-mile incline. Food vendors, including The Glass Onion, Bake My Day, Goldendale Coffee, Bob Texas T-Bone and others, will be open for dining deals throughout each day, as will be the Museum Café. Most of these events are free for spectators. maryhillmuseum.org

Elaine Brunson