I absolutely love this Festival. I remember coming here when I was younger and enjoying the food…read moreand the events. Fast forward 20+ years, and I introduced it to my wife. It starts off with a nice pleasant drive through some really beautiful country along scenic Canandaigua Lake. We come in from the North, and since we arrive early in the morning parking is plentiful. However, there is a 10-15 minute walk to get to the center of the festival area. Along the way, you can look at the small stores selling their wares (books, records, etc.) and peruse the many garage sales that pop up along main street. When you arrive at the festival, you are hit with a three-fold attack of (1) great carnival food, (2) lots of arts and crafts vendors, and (3) live music and the cacophony of thousands of people in one space. Aside from the typical kettle corn, fried dough, and sausage sandwiches, you can feast on anything and everything that can be made with a grape... pies, cakes, cookies, cotton candy, ice cream, etc. Frankly, it is a bit overwhelming but in a wonderful way. We don't usually buy too many crafts or artwork (and if you do, be warned that you will need to carry it back to your car somehow) but we do enjoy some things that are just necessary on a day like this: Carnival Waffles (which you cannot get outside of Western NY, and asking about them will just lead to blank stares), grape pie, and lots of bottled water. Who has the best grape pie? If you read the signs, that will narrow it done but I try a new place every time and seem to enjoy them all. Grape pie tastes like blueberry + wine... yummy! There are wine vendors too, and a nearby winery offers tasting and I think tours though we have never done it. This festival takes the best things in life and combines them. Carnival food minus the weird looking carnys; beautiful New York fall scenery with lovely, sunny weather; amazing arts and crafts with plenty of useless made in China junk and dozens of yard sales thrown in, and people having fun. Just watch the bikers that try and ride down Main Street every year only to get stuck in traffic. Even then they are having a blast. The local school gets involved too with various fundraisers. Hint: when you buy food from the area next to the school, make sure you get all the ketchup you need before you go and sit down on the grassy knoll. Navigating the crowds to get the small things you forgot with your food is no fun. I cannot wait until September when I can go again!

I have a love/hate relationship with the Naples Grape Festival. On the one hand you have a great…read moreopportunity to get your hand on some of the greatest Grape pies around. On the other, crowds of people, money trap, long waits to get in and out of the village. Here's what's lacking: *Not much (good)entertainment *Everyone is selling anything and everything (junk included) *Crowded sidewalks where people stop directly in the middle without regard to the line of others behind them. *A long drive from the city Here's what I love: *Views of the lake on the drive down *Views of fall foliage *Joseph's Wayside Market *Grape pocket cookies from the church in the center of town *Jeni's Pies are the best *Plenty of (paid) parking at Hazlitt *Wine slushies from Hazlitt YUM! In the past there seemed to be more artisans, but this year it felt like there were vendors just selling anything. It felt overwhelming with so many people crammed in in the sidewalks. I'll admit it's a great walk from one end of town to the other. Make your way to the south end to check out Joseph's. If you've never been, it's worth the trip, just be prepared for people to stop in front of you without warning because they can't text and walk at the same time!

For local flavor and a break from the regular weekend routine, the Ellicottville Fall Festival is…read moredifficult to beat. While in Buffalo recently, friends suggested we make the hour trek to Ellicottville to check out the festival. It's located in a small ski village, and -- never one to turn down the chance to check out a new place -- I jumped at the chance. Street parking was relatively easy to find, and we soon were meandering through the downtown at the foothills of the ski resort. With hills all around us and brilliantly color-changing leaves, it was here to beat the beautiful setting. If you know local festivals, you know what to expect -- booths with all sorts of arts, crafts, snacks, and unique local finds lined the middle of the streets, which had been closed off for pedestrian-only traffic. We perused the different booths and stores before stopping a spell for lunch. Happen to be out this way in the fall? Head on over and check it out for a relaxed afternoon in a colorful and cozy setting.

As a San Diego transplant that hasnt experienced fall in a good 10 years, this was a perfect way to…read moreenjoy all the season has to offer. The drive down the (do I need to stop saying "the" in front of highways?) 219 was beautiful, and the weather was just the right amount of chilly to be enjoying my flannel and boots and hot apple cider. The main downside here is the traffic getting into town, but there really is nothing that can be done about it. You just have to be ready and be patient. The church just inside town was graciously offering "donation" parking (as opposed to the $10 parking further into town), and since it was on the edge of town, made it super easy to leave when we were done. The town of Ellicottville is also very charming, and I would love to come back again to enjoy the area on a normal day!

I try to make it back for the festival every year. Great music, food, crowds over 3 1/2 days. I…read morelike the events on the commons most, but the parade (Thurs night) and the party at Stewart park (Sunday) are pretty sweet too.

The best of Ithaca! Usually held during the first weekend of June, the Ithaca Festival celebrates…read morethe vital role of the arts in the community. Local food, arts and crafts fair featuring over 80 crafters and artists (jewelry, pottery, paintings, furniture, photography, wooden creations, handmade toys), healing arts fair (massage, reiki, acupuncture, herbal medicine), Gorges Green Expo (learn about environmental awareness, energy conservation, and other green initiatives. Also features a Taste of Tompkins, where you can taste locally grown vegetables, local cheeses, locally made desserts, and wine), family fun (face-painting, storytelling, performances, etc), an Ithaca Festival Parade, and a Paint Off (local artists are asked to produce a piece of art on site in just one hour and the best piece is auctioned off). There's a lot of other stuff going on, too, that I'm probably missing. It's a great place to take your family, date, friends, anyone!

Like a trip back in time …read more The apple umpkin festival in Wyoming county has a real throw back vibe. The town truly is quaint, and very lovely in the fall season. There were plenty of vendors selling seasonal goods, crafts and antiques. There were plenty of reasonably priced pumpkins of all shapes, colors and sizes being sold as well . Just a very cute little festival that I would attend again . There were food vendors with many delicious seasonal foods to try. The apple sausage is back and said to be very good ! Amish baked goods were delicious, chowder , salt potatoes , apple cider slushes and much more . I wish there was more of a draw for children , I think there were some things for the kids, but there could be more . Overall we enjoyed the trip and the surroundings , got some great pumpkins and home decor and had some delicious fall treats ,

My first time going, I wish there was more activities then just vendors & crafts. Maybe some more…read moreactual apple and pumpkin themed things? But I loved the balloon arch display and live music! not sure why there was a trump store/vendor here. . . Kinda put an odd vibe on a cute craft fair, especially the f bombs on half the flags they had on display. In my opinion, not worth the drive from Rochester.

A small country festival with enough activity to last the whole family all day. The morning parade…read morewith so many pipe bands was amazing!

Great day at a fun fair. Fun to taste apples from a variety of local farmers. I also loved the free…read moresamples of cider. It was crowded, but not too crowded and other vendors if you got tired of the apples, but who gets tired of apples. Fun memorable date or outing for kids. Free to get in and very reasonably priced items. Parking close can be challenging if you get there later in day.

Awesome! Usually held the first weekend in October. Living up to its motto, "Tempting to the Core,"…read morethis festival attracts over 30,000 people and features performers, entertainment, farmers, wineries, bakeries, crafters, food vendors, an apple pie eating competition, music, dancing, eating, food from local restaurants, education, a Ferris wheel, giant slide, Iron Chef event, crafts, and APPLES. The Festival also tries to be environmentally friendly, as it uses compostable utensils and paper plate. A local favorite is the kettle corn. I'm a fan of the candied apples. Om nom! Lots of fun, definitely come enjoy the celebration if you're in Ithaca around this time!

Always amazing fireworks! Lots of great music all across the festivities. The trolley (D bus) is…read morewell worth the 3 bucks for all you can ride. It especially came in handy this past weekend with the downpour. Wine court has lots of free samples. Don't forget to pick up a bottle and enjoy it with live music and fireworks show! I would like to see more food trucks to better support local businesses. Also, there were no recycling bins available and hope to see that improved for next year!

The fireworks were great but I wish they brought bck the laser We enjoyed the laser show last year…read moreand was looking forward to see it again this year plus we were happy to see the shuttle this yr but Very Upset that we had to wait over an hr to get on a shuttle bck to the race track that has discouraged us for coming bck next year

Busy, Great place for young kids. The butter sculptures ate always fun. I recommend goingread more

2.5 Wasn't the most spectacular event, hardly a "festival",…read morebut there were a few vendors, music, food stands, good weather and a casual chill night. It was almost an hour drive for me from Rochester but its nice to check out if you have nothing else to do. Entry was only $5. Probably won't go again but I'm glad I went once just to see it.