10 Maine Fall Festivals: Reasons I Enjoy Wells Beach Off-Season Part 1

While Labor Day marks the end of summer, it doesn’t mean you have to say “goodbye” to the beach until next year.  I enjoy spending time at our Wells beach cottage during the off-season just as much as the height of summer — arguably more.  The crowds dissipate and great weather continues into October.  Plus, there are plenty of things to do in Wells and the surrounding area.  In fact, I counted 10 Fall festivals that will take place along the Southern Coast of Maine during September and October.  Check them out.

10 Maine Fall Festivals

1. Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival | September 7 & 8, 2013 – More than 100 New England craftspeople display their jewelry, pottery, paintings, clothing, and photography at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. 342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells, ME 04090
2. Summer Solstice Craft Show | September 7 & 8, 2013 – Traditional, country and contemporary arts and crafts are featured from 70 of New England artists, including stained glass, graphics, herbs & everlastings, jewelry, pottery, folk art, photography, etc. Held at the Wells Elementary School on Sanford Road (RT. 109) in Wells, Maine. FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING.
3. Wells Annual Family Jamboree | September 14, 2013 – Sponsored by the Wells Chamber of Commerce, this day of family fun features games, crafts, hay rides, apple picking, food, vendors and more at Spiller Farm. 1054 Branch Road (Route 9A), Wells. FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING.
4. Portland BBQ & Blues Festival | September 20 – 22, 2013 – Two and a half days of mouth-watering barbecue, live entertainment and family fun on Portland’s waterfront.
5. Eliot Festival Days & 5K road Race | September 27 & 28, 2013 – This annual event in Eliot offers a variety of crafters, food vendors & entertainment including a road race for adults & kids, chill contest, fireworks and a pancake breakfast Saturday morning.
6. Punkinfiddle | September 28, 2013 – A family festival hosted by Wells Reserve at Laudholm that features old-fashioned games, hands-on learning, music, traditional crafts, food, and farm animals. Kids can press apples, churn butter, decorate pumpkins, build scarecrows, and play games such as, egg-and-spoon relays, sack races, three-legged races, and wheelbarrow races. 342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells, ME 04090
7. Freeport Fall Festival | September 28 & 29, 2013 – 100 of the best New England artists and makers of fine crafts come together for a two-day festival on the L.L.Bean campus in Freeport.
8. Kennebunk Harvest Fest | October 12, 2013 – Celebrate Fall with costumes, crafts and good food. Harvest Fest activities include a 5K race, pancake breakfast, farmers’ market, costume parade, pumpkin decorating, Scarecrow scavenger hunt, live bands, craft fairs and more.
9. York Beach Annual Harvestfest & Kidsfest | October 19 & 20, 2013 – This festival on Short Sands Beach in York includes a variety of activities including, local food vendors, juried crafters, live bands and performers (such as Don Campbell Band and local favorite Skyler), bean hole beans, and marketplace vendors from all over New England. For kids, there are pony rides, games, a roaming railroad, face painting and horse-drawn wagon rides.
10. OgunquitFest | October 25 – 27, 2013 – A weekend of autumn-themed events in Ogunquit, ME. Activities include a classic car show, craft bazaar, pumpkin and cookie decorating, costume parade, Halloween fun house, high heel race, bed race, ghost tours, wagon rides, storytelling, and a scarecrow contest.

If you’re like me and enjoy the beach even more once the crowds thin out, consider spending a long weekend at the Seagull Inn and Condominiums in Wells and attending 1 of the 10 Maine Fall festivals.  What’s even better about spending time at the beach in the off-season is that rates drop and 25% discounts are often given on stay of 3 nights or more.

Check back for “Reasons I Enjoy Wells Beach Off-Season Part 2,”  where I’ll share a list of holiday-themed events and festivals that take place on the Southern Coast of Maine.