Fall Fun On The Island

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower,” said Albert Camus, a famous French writer and philosopher.

School begins, the mornings crisp, leaves fall to the ground, and pumpkins appear on stoops. The arrival of Fall invites us to look for local outdoor events before the cold settles in, and you can be sure that Long Island has plenty to offer.
    Towns all across Long Island will host Fall festivals where families can pick pumpkins, participate in crafts, buy apple cider, or pet farm animals. A classic place to find these activities is at F&W Schmitt Family Farm in Melville, where you can go on a hayride and get lost in a corn maze. You can also visit Hicks Nurseries in Westbury for similar activities.
    On Sunday, September 17th, head to Hofstra University for their 25th Annual Italian Festival. During this weekend, you can attend the 11th Annual Long Island Family Festival in Copiague at Tanner Park, where there will be a pizza eating contest, carnival rides, and plenty of other goodies for you and your family to enjoy.
    Both the Caleb Smith Preserve and the Wildwood State Park will be hosting their Fall Festivals the last weekend of September. 
    Strap on your lederhosen, grab a pint glass, and head on over to the Pine Grove Inn in East Patchogue for their 1st Annual Oktoberfest on September 30th. Alternatively, you can check out St. Luke’s 47th Annual Oktoberfest in Farmingdale on the same day.
    If you are looking for a nature excursion, the North Fork of Long Island offers plenty of places for apple picking. Try out the 15-acre Harbes Orchard in Riverhead, which will be open every weekend in September and October, Woodside Orchards in Aquebogue. If you’re looking for a more central location, Richters Orchard in Northport, for delicious apples.
    On Sunday, October 1st, there will be a Fall Festival at the Sagtikos Manor, as well as the 6th Annual Plainview-Old Bethpage Fall Festival. On October 8th, Riverhead will be hosting its Country Fair. The following week is the 11th Annual Malverne Fall Festival and Classic Car Show. Right before Halloween, on October 22nd, you can attend the Halloween Fun Fest in Rockville Center for face painting, mask creating, contests, music, magic shows, and more. Also, don’t forget to vote for your favorite scarecrow all throughout the month of October at the Stony Brook Village Center during their Scarecrow Competition!
    Although you can’t stop and smell the roses in the Fall, you can have plenty of fun by jumping in crunchy leaf piles all over Long Island!