3 fall festivals in Vermont: Foliage, cheese and harvest

It’s fall festival season in Vermont

PLYMOUTH NOTCH, Vt. — It’s fall festival season in Vermont.

For leaf-peepers, there’s the annual Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival, which runs Sept. 27-Oct. 2. The festival, which is more than 50 years old, takes place in six towns over six days: Walden, Cabot, Plainfield, Peacham, Barnet and Groton. In addition to autumn colors, visitors will find concerts, church suppers, historical tours and crafts. Details at bit.ly/9PcTzt.

The Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is hosting a festival dedicated to cheese. The Plymouth Cheese & Harvest Festival, set for Sept. 19 in Plymouth Notch, will feature cheese tastings, cheese making and a cheese recipe contest that’s open to the public.

Historic Site Administrator William Jenney says the event — held annually since 1997 — showcases Vermont’s bevy of world-class cheese products.

It’s a fitting location. The historic site is the home of the Plymouth Cheese Factory, which was built by Colonel John Coolidge, the father of Vermont-born President Calvin Coolidge.

And Bennington Museum is planning a Harvest Festival showcasing its Grandma Moses gallery, sheep and goats from a local 4-H club and studio crafts. The event, scheduled for Sept. 26, is $3 per person and free for children and students under 18. It includes admission to standing exhibits including the Military Gallery, the Grandma Moses Gallery and Schoolhouse and a furniture gallery. The animals, from the Goat Goers 4-H Club, will be available for milking, and a pie-tasting is also planned.