There’s lots of traditions and seasonal activities I love participating in once September rolls around each year. Apple picking is a must, of course. Visiting as many pumpkin patches and local garden centers/greenhouses as I can is also usually on my Autumnal itinerary, too – and then there’s all the movies, comfort shows and music I watch and listen to that feel like they coincide with the changing of the season. It’s always something I look forward to in the early days of Fall.
But another time-honored tradition is checking out all the county fairs and festivals that seem to mark the official end of the Summer – and they all happen right around this time!
This past weekend, for example, saw me stopping by the Franklin County Fair for the first time in years. This year marked the fair’s 178th anniversary (which is insane to think about!) and featured all the expected accoutrements – adorable baby animals, displays of the county’s best and/or biggest produce, crafts, artwork, etc., rides that may or may not have been secured properly, tractor pulls that echoed into the night – and not-so-guilty-pleasure fair foods like maple cream cones and fried Oreos. Believe me – I indulged in all of it!
I love how the fair rarely changes. I hadn’t stopped by since well before the pandemic had started and it was still exactly the same as the last time I’d visited, which is comforting in a way. I had so much fun for the couple of hours I was there walking around and checking out everything. It’s such a wholesome celebration for all ages.
I also stopped by the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival this past weekend, as well, for their 37th anniversary. I haven’t been since 2023 when the festival was trying to regain it’s footing after the pandemic and things seemed a little shaky and uncertain, but it really felt like they got their stride back this year! Everything was clean, organized, safe, and there were plenty of vendors and local artists participating this time around.
My mom and Oliver – with his stroller since he’s on a limited exercise regimen while he recovers from his recent surgery – accompanied me this year so we could have our last lobster rolls of the season and buy some discounted apparel. Oliver had a blast, with so many little kids coming over to pet him and so many of the businesses offering him treats and biscuits. He was living like a little King throughout the afternoon and was truly living it up!
Later on this week, I’m going to be sharing another recap – a trip to one of my favorite garden centers on the rainiest of days we’ve had in a while – as well as a fun twist on candied apples!
See you all then!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 