Fall
Homecomings, Leaf Peeping
Apple Picking, Pumpkin Spice Lattés
Caramel Apples, Chai
Hay Mazes & Not Putting on the Heat
Wearing Boots and Scarves but Still Ordering Iced Coffee and Going Out for Ice Cream
We are New Englanders

10/14 BU Fringe Festival 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.(Boston)  You have fringe on your scarf and fringe on your boots, why not get some more fringe in your life and see what is new in the world of theatre and music? The Boston University Fringe Festival begins this Friday with Hydrogen Jukebox composed by Phillip Glass (not so new but still fringesque) a Libretto by Allen Ginsberg. ($7)

10/14 Impelling Forces– Jose Matteo Ballet Theatre  8 p.m. (Cambridge) Impelling Forces opens on Friday, October 14th and runs through October 30th.  If you want your Phillip Glass with movement instead of words, then sit down in the beautiful Sanctuary Theatre and take in this performance.  This program includes: Mozart Provoked set to Uri Caine’s interpretation of Mozart’s Sonata in C Major for Piano, 1796 set to Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor and then Over and Over set to Philip Glass’ Symphony No. 2. Mr. Matteo’s work is always exciting and has a unique interpretation.  This program is sure to suck you into the inspirational world of Jose Matteo’s Ballet Theatre ($42)

10/15 Volante Farms Apple Pie Contest (Needham)  Stop by Volante Farms to pick up some apples on Friday and then bake your best pie and put it up against your fellow bakers’ best attempts on Saturday.  May the tastiest pie win!  Pies must be at Volante Farms by 11;45 on Saturday.  Registration ends Friday, October 14th.  To register send in your full name and phone number either in person with a cashier or via email to info@volantefarms.com. (free)

10/15 4:00 p.m.  Local Craft Spirits Festival (Somerville) Spend the afternoon tasting brews from craft distilleries, cider houses, meaderies, and other such beverage makers.  There will be food for $6 or less per serving (that’s what they said), live music, cocktail demos and more.  VIP tickets are available as well and they comes with early admission for VIPs starting at 3 p.m., a meal voucher and other such perks.  ($45/general admission $85/admission for 2, $75/VIP, $140/VIP for 2)

10/15 and 16 Wellfleet Oysterfest (Wellfleet)  This year’s Wellfleet Oysterfest is going to be a different kind of festival without raw shellfish.  There will still be shucking, and plenty of activities as well as delicious cooked menu items to indulge in.  The Wellfleet Oyster festival not just about the oyster eating it is about supporting the oyster farmers, so head on over and have a great weekend in Wellfleet.  ($10-$20/ children 12 and under free)

This weekend you might also want to check out some of these fun and fabulous mazes.

A sweet and simple local hay maze that isn’t scary or too difficult and even the littlest tyke enjoy it is the maze at Wilson Farm. (Thursdays 12:30 -5:00 p.m., Fridays 3-5, Saturday/Sunday 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

At the other end of the spectrum is the giant Big Papi tribute Maze at Davis Mega Maze.  This is a corn maze rather than a hay maze.  It is open day and night.  (children 5-12/$16.95, Adults & children 13+ $19.95)

One of our family favourites and great for those who get a bit claustrophobic, is the hay maze at Parlee Farms that you go on top of instead of im between walls of hay.

In addition to hay mazes, apple picking, and switching out our summer wardrobe for our winter one, there is one thing that New Englanders enjoy year-round and that is ice cream.  A few new places to check out this fall are:  Hi B3ar Ice Cream Roll, Honeycomb Creamery, Forge Ice Cream Bar, Fomu in the South End, and The Parlor Ice Cream Co.