SEPTEMBERSept. 21-23 Oktoberfest. The 52nd annual celebration mixes German food, music and culture. The weekend features the music of Kat Tale and Kate, Under the Gun and the Adam Barthalt Band.

Autumnnever approaches quietly. When summer cools into fall, just look for nature’s gradual wardrobe change. Leaves begin to blush in shades of persimmon, amber and gold. With a nudge from the autumn wind, the colorful confetti leaves part with their branches, carpeting the ground, leaving tree limbs bare.

There’s the still-new distillery, opened in 2009, with its expansive views of the orchards. There’s the familiar U-pick orchard, which opened in 1975 on what was home to the farm’s earliest trees. There’s the farm store, which bustles with activity every autumn as families come to the LaFayette orchard to pick their apples.

Pumpkins and fun! 5K run/walk, snacks, entertainment, hay rides and antique tractors. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Courthouse Park, Church Street, Cortland..

Special events calendar for the Greater Syracuse Area

Compiled by Michele Vanderhoff

 

  

September

 

sept. 21-23

 

 

Oktoberfest. Celebration of all things German with entertainment, children’s games, family contests and plenty of food. Friday and Saturday, noon-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse. Free. 675-8321, 682-2584.

 

sept. 22-23

 

 

Salt City Cat Club Show. Purebred and household cat competition, Friskies’ “Living Booth” and stage show. Cat-friendly vendors have everything under kitty creation, food for you and your pets. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. OnCenter Convention Center, 800 S. State St. $12/family; $6/adults; $3/children under 12. 687-6871.

 

AppleFest. A Cooperstown-area celebration of apples, antique tractors, music, games, food and wagon rides. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Fly Creek Cider Mill, 288 Goose St., Fly Creek. $2 donation fee. Free/under 12. Free parking. (607) 547-7072.

 

sept. 24

 

 

Savoring the Salt City. Annual event features the area’s finest cuisine, from appetizers to entrees to desserts, all under one roof. Proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 6-9 p.m. Art & Home Center, State Fairgrounds. $50/admission. 463-7965.

 

sept. 28-30

 

 

Apple Harvest Festival. Enjoy crafts, food, children’s activities and entertainment during this three-day celebration. Friday, noon-6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Downtown Ithaca. Free. (607) 277-8679.

 

sept. 30

 

 

Festival of Races. Annual family-fitness event includes men’s and women’s 5K runs, 3K fun-and-fitness run, and a community fun(d) walk. 9 a.m.-noon. Near Syracuse University’s Manley Field House and Lampe Athletic Complex, Comstock Avenue. Free parking. Free for spectators. Entry fees $5-$20. 446-6285.

 

 

October

 

oct. 2-7

 

Super D.I.R.T. Week. A fast and furious motorsports event. Super-modified race cars roar around the track. Opens Tuesday, noon, then daily at 8 a.m. Call for specific events schedule or go to www.dirtmotors ports.com. Grandstand, State Fairgrounds. General admission tickets, Thursday-Friday, $25; combination packages, single nights, reserved seating, $35-$100. Call to reserve. 834-6606.

 

oct. 5-7

 

Great Cortland Pumpkinfest. Tons, literally, of pumpkins, with activities including weight-guessing contests, crafters, games, food and more. Pancake dinner Friday, 4:30-7 p.m, $5/person; $20/family. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Courthouse Park, Church Street, Cortland. Free. (800) 859-2227.

 

oct. 6-7

 

The Great Pumpkin Festival. Gorge yourself on pumpkin desserts, enjoy wine-tasting, games, kiddie rides, crafters, corn maze and live music. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Washington Square Park, East Fourth and Bridge streets, Oswego. Free. 343-7681.

 

LaFayette Apple Festival. Annual apple-lovers’ event features more than 500 crafters and vendors; scarecrow, Apple Queen and pie baking contests; food and entertainment. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Rowland Road, off Route 20, LaFayette. $3/pre-sale at LaFayette McDonald’s; $4/at gate. 677-3300.

 

oct. 6

 

SU Football. The Orange take on West Virginia. Time to be announced. Carrier Dome, SU campus, 900 Irving Ave. $17- $86. (888) DOME-TIX.

 

oct. 12-14

 

Country Folk Art Craft Fair. More than 150 crafters from around the nation display their wares at the Horticulture Building, New York State Fairgrounds. Friday, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $6/at door. (248) 634-4151.

 

oct. 13

 

SU Football. Big East game pitting the Orange against Rutgers. Time to be announced. Carrier Dome, SU campus, 900 Irving Ave. $17-$86. (888) DOME-TIX.

 

oct. 13-14, 20-21

 

The Greater Ithaca Art Trail. The opening weekend for free, self-guided tours of 50 artist studios. Visit on your own, or call ahead and make plans with the artists. 11 a.m-5 p.m. Trail brochures can be picked up at the Clinton House Visitor Center, Cayuga and Seneca streets, Ithaca, or by calling (607) 273-5072.

 

oct. 19

 

Syracuse Crunch Hockey. The Crunch faces the Hamilton Bulldogs in their home opener. 7:30 p.m. Onondaga County War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St. $11-$18. 473-4444.

 

oct. 19-20, 26-27

 

The Great Zoo Boo. Enjoy some kooky, not spooky, fun with clowns, friendly witches and scarecrows, and a train depot at the zoo’s annual pre-Halloween Party. 6-8:30 p.m. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, 1 Conservation Drive. Advance sale tickets: $3.50/members, $4/non-members; $5/at door; $3/advance group sale, 20 or more people; free/children under 3. 435-8511, Ext. 113.

 

oct. 20-21

 

Salt City Autumn Antiques Show. Annual show with more than 275 selected dealers creating an 80,000-square-foot treasure trove. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Center of Progress Building, State Fairgrounds. Free parking. $6/person; $7/weekend pass; free/under 12. 824-2462.

 

oct. 20

 

SU Football. The Orange vs. Buffalo. Time to be announced. Carrier Dome, SU campus, 900 Irving Ave. $17-$86. (888) DOME-TIX.

 

oct. 27

 

Syracuse Crunch. The Crunch and Rochester Americans battle it out. 7:30 p.m. Onondaga County War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St. $11-$18. 473-4444.

 

oct. 28

 

Collectorfest. Sports cards, comics, toys, dolls and many other collectible items at the Horticulture Building, State Fairgrounds. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $4/adults; free/children 10 and younger. (607) 753-8580.

 

November

 

nov. 3-4

 

Train Fair. Local chapter of the National Railway Historical Society conducts a show of the finest collectible little engines that could. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Center of Progress and Horticulture buildings, State Fairgrounds. Admission to be announced. 488-8208.

 

nov. 9-11

 

New and Used Ski Sale and Swap. Ski and snowboard gear for sale, including outerwear, accessories, and equipment. Friday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. International Pavilion, State Fairgrounds. Free. (585) 292-0580.

 

The Holiday Shoppes. A unique shopping experience featuring designer clothes, gourmet foods, and other distinctive gifts from more than 100 merchants. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Horticulture Building, New York State Fairgrounds. $4/in advance at Price Chopper; $6/door. 423-9773.

 

nov. 10

 

SU Football. South Florida takes the field. Time to be announced. Carrier Dome, SU campus, 900 Irving Ave. $17-$86. (888) DOME-TIX.

 

nov. 18

 

Jingle Bell Run. Fund-raising event for the Arthritis Foundation’s Central New York chapter features a fun run, 5K run/walk and a 10K run. Registration, 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Onondaga Lake Park, off Route 370, Liverpool. $15/adult registration; free/children under 8. (800) 870-1771.

 

nov. 20

 

Lights on the Lake Opening Night. Annual holiday lights spectacular runs nightly through Jan. 6, 5-10 p.m., at Onondaga Lake Park, off Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool. $8/car or $6 advance tickets available until Nov. 20 at Wegmans, AAA offices and Landmark Theatre. 453-6712.

 

nov. 23

 

Dickens’ Christmas. Explore the London of 120 years ago every weekend through Dec. 23. Noon-4 p.m.; after opening day, open Saturdays and Sundays only. Throughout downtown Skaneateles. Free. 685-0552.

 

Holiday Magic in the Square. The tree gets plugged in and Christmas in Syracuse officially begins. Followed by the annual City Hall open house. 7 p.m. Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse. 448-8005.

 

nov. 24

 

SU Football. The Orange face Cincinnati in the last game of the season. Time to be announced. Carrier Dome, SU campus, 900 Irving Ave. $17-$86. (888) DOME-TIX.

 

Gingerbread Gallery. The Erie Canal Museum transforms its exhibition gallery into a street scene from the 1800s featuring more than 30 gingerbread houses in “store windows.” Through Dec. 31. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Erie Canal Museum, 318 Erie Blvd. E. $3 donation. 461-0068.

 

nov. 30

 

Syracuse Crunch. Tuxedo junction against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 7:30 p.m. Onondaga County War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St. $11-$18. 473-4444.

 

nov. 30-dec. 9

 

Holiday Festival of Trees and Lights. The Everson turns into a forest of decorated holiday trees. Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Open Dec. 5 and 6 until 7 p.m. Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St. $7/adults; $5/seniors and children under 18; free/children under 6. 474-6064.

 

December

 

dec. 1

 

Syracuse Crunch. Puck off, Albany River Rats! 7:30 p.m. Onondaga County War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St. $11-$18. 473-4444.

 

dec. 1-2

 

Plowshares Craftsfair & Winter Peace Festival. Celebrate a world of peace and justice with more than 50 crafters, hearty food and lively entertainment. Saturday, 10 a.m- 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nottingham High School, 3100 E. Genesee St. $2/adults, free/ages under 16 and over 65. 472-5478.

 

dec. 12-29

 

Christmas at Lorenzo. This historic mansion will be decorated with thematic decorations, gingerbread galleries and live music on Saturdays. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Lorenzo State Historic Site, 17 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia. $3/adults; $1/ages 5-12. 655-3200 or 655-4304.

 

dec. 15

 

Syracuse Crunch. The Hamilton Bulldogs will roll over and play dead. 7:30 p.m. Onondaga County War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St. $11-$18. 473-4444.

 

dec. 27

 

Syracuse Crunch. March of the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. 7:30 p.m. Onondaga County War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St. $11-$18. 473-4444.

 

dec. 29

 

Syracuse Crunch.The Manitoba Moose are loose! 7:30 p.m. Onondaga County War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St. $11-$18. 473-4444.

 

  

Ongoing events

 

Onondaga Lake Park Tram Program. Daily through Oct. 8. Trams can be boarded at the Salt Museum or the Griffin Visitor Center, and depart at the top of every hour, daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Onondaga Lake Park, off Route 370, Liverpool. Donation suggested. 453-6712.

 

Downtown Farmers Market. Tuesdays, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; through Oct. 16. About 50 farmers and dealers sell produce, crafts and more. One Lincoln Center, South Salina and Washington streets. Free. 422-8284.

 

Guided Horseback Rides. Guided one-hour rides available Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; through November. Highland Forest, Route 80, four miles east of Fabius. $25 per person per hour. Reservations needed. 495-6263 or 683-5201.

 

Fall Harvest Celebration. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free, with limited activities. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; through Oct. 28. Special events each weekend, as well as traditional attractions, including corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, and more. Critz Farms, three miles south of Cazenovia, Route 13. $5/adult; $3/seniors; free/under 2. 662-3355.

 

High Esteem’s Creepy Camp. Oct. 5-28. Halloween event includes the creepy cabins and plenty of other Halloween frights. Held rain or shine; proceeds benefit High Esteem Camp Goodwill. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.-midnight. Sundays, 7:30-10 p.m.; plus Thursday, Oct. 25, 7:30-10 p.m. High Esteem Camp Goodwill, Route 13, Chittenango. $8 and up. 655-9735.

 

Howling Hayrides. Oct. 18-29, 25-27. Ride through ghoulish settings and enjoy doughnuts and cider—if you achieve safe passage. 7-9 p.m. Town of DeWitt Parks and Recreation Department, Maxwell Park, East Syracuse. $8/gate; $7/advance; $5/person, group rate. Groups of 15 or more can reserve for Thursday nights. 446-9250, Ext. 9.

 

Christmas Around the World. Nov. 23-Dec. 22. Musical entertainment, cooking demonstrations, storytelling, a visit from Santa, plus an exhibit of international Christmas trees. Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5-9 p.m.; Sainte Marie among the Iroquois, Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool. Admission to be announced. 453-6768.