Travelsmartplanet

On Columbus Day weekend head to Newburyport for their annual Fall Harvest Festival. Enjoy great food, live music, and family fun while celebrating autumn’s arrival. Explore downtown shops as well as craft vendor booths from artisans all over New England.

A Newburyport tradition, Fall Harvest Festival features talented artisans offering handmade crafts & artwork, great local food vendors and live music that will keep your toes tapping.  Bring the kids in the morning for children’s entertainment in Market Square.

One of the most fun parts of the Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival is the Annual Scarecrow Contest. This year will be the 17th annual scarecrow contest and the goal of this creative competition is to create a gallery of fun, inventive scarecrows throughout Market Square.

Schedule:

• Kids’ Entertainment – Market Square | Sunday & Monday from 10:30-11:30 am
• Craft Show | Sunday & Monday 10 am-5pm
• Food Vendors | Sunday & Monday 10 am-5pm
• Scarecrow Contest | Sunday 12pm – Monday 2pm
• Live Music in Market Square | 1pm – 4pm

Location: Downtown Newburyport, Market Square, Newburyport, MA 01950
Date: Sun & Mon, Oct 7 & 8
Time: 10am – 5pm
Tel: 978-572-1494
facebook.com/events/2003581069655826
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: newburyportchamber.org

Hippie Tribe Fest is where the Bohemians roam. Created to bring community together, and to bring out the fun and free spirit in all of us; to create an experience for attendees to enjoy nature, to see incredible works of art, natural products, hand-made, Bohemian and Fair-Trade, amazing creations from local artisans and to enjoy performances by talented musicians.

At the main stage, there will be six hours of top notch musical artists and performers. Gifted buskers/solo artists will be performing throughout the festival and at the Feeling Groovy tent. At the Flower Child tent you will find an array of children activities and fun for the whole family.

Throughout the Hippie Tribe festival you can discover some of the most talented body artists including  Henna, Face Painting. One of the highlights featured is a one hour Drum Circle, where drummers, dancers and hoopers are welcome and encouraged to participate, sharing the energy and heartbeat of Mother Earth.

Delicious food available from local food vendors and food trucks. Attendees are encouraged to bring out their Hippie style, folding lawn chairs, blankets, drums and other instruments, as well as an umbrella; this is a rain or shine event. All parking will be on site and FREE.

Advance Entry Tickets $5 ($10 at the door); Children 12 and under – FREE. Tickets Here

Location: Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Date: Sat, Sept. 29 2018
Time: Noon – 7pm (rain or shine)
Tel: 919-825-1122
hippietribefest.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: rockymounttravel.com

The 11th Annual Mystic Garlic Festival features freshly harvested local garlic, garlic infused goodies, music, and activities scattered throughout Olde Mistick Village.

To celebrate the abundant fall harvest, farmers will present an amazing variety of Garlic for sale in addition to fresh produce. More farmers than ever will have honey, jams, preserves, ice cream, baked goods, and syrups.

Besides the proven health benefits of garlic,  there is just something irresistible about the aroma of roasted garlic. Throughout the day and evening, dozens of local restaurants and food service establishments will be serving, for purchase, delicious garlic related foods,  such as garlic fried dough and garlic fries, as well as non-garlic favorites.

A host of merchants, artisans, authors and artists will line the pathways of Olde Mistick Village displaying their foods, crafts, gifts, and talents. Along with over 45 vendors, you will find Olde Mistick Village merchants offering garlic related activities or products at their stores.

Don’t miss the live birds of prey, reptile show, and martial arts demonstration.

So, you bring the mints and Olde Mistick Village will supply the flavor.  A great weekend of music, food, and family fun. Stroller friendly, Free entry and Free parking.

Location: Olde Mistick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT 06355
Date: Sept 15 – 16, 2018
Time: Sat 11am – 7pm, Sun 11am – 6pm
Tel: 860 -536-4941
oldemistickvillage.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: thisismystic.com

The fifth annual Wild Vibes Festival, featuring a full day in nature It takes place at Spring Hill Farm in South Berwick, Maine which is just a short drive away from Portsmouth. It’s nestled in the lush landscape of the Seacoast on a family-run farm, with over 60 waterfront acres of rolling hills and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

Celebrated as one of New England’s favorite Yoga, Music, & Arts Festival, Wild Vibes features a diverse line-up of teachers, presenters, and performers. Experience a jam-packed day of live music, inspiring workshops, unique yoga classes including SUP yoga and paddle boarding, local artisans, Roots Village for tasty treats and refreshing beverages, and you can drop off your kids at Wild Vibes Kids Camp.

Enhance your natural state with the ultimate day of creativity, movement, music, art, wellness and community in this serene setting. Venture in the dreamers den, practice yoga on the water, and get your groove on under the open sky. Check out the schedule for amazing and inspiring workshops: wildvibes.org/workshop

A kid-friendly event, Wild Vibes Festival offers something for everyone. A portion of festival proceeds benefit Puresa Humanitarian Foundation and Yoga & Cancer SATYA. Kids ages 12 & under FREE.

Location: Spring Hill Farm, 117 Pond Rd, South Berwick, ME 03908
Date: Sat, July 28th, 2018
Time: 12pm – 8pm
wildvibes.org
For regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: portsmouthnh.com

Celebrating Annapolis’ Diverse Arts Scene, Annapolis Arts Week was created to bring together the area’s local artists and musicians for a week of art, food, block parties, events, music, and festivals.

The week includes major events: Paint Annapolis, a county-wide, juried, plein air competition celebrating its 15^th year with 30 distinguished artists from around the globe. The artists will create 300 landscape works, highlighting the special colonial architecture, marine atmosphere, and overall energy of Annapolis. p a i n t a n n a p o l i s . o r g

Paint Annapolis features special events every day:

Sunday, June 3: Dueling Brushes – Quick Draw at Susan B Campbell Park
Monday June 4: Artist paint in Anne Arundel County
Tuesday, June 5: Paint the Bay Reception at Annapolis Maritime Museum
6-8pm
Wednesday, June 6: Artists paint in the city of Annapolis
Nocturne at dusk – Dinner Under the Stars
Thursday, June 7: Artists paint in the historic district
Art on the Avenue, Maryland Avenue, 5-7pm
Friday, June 8: Collector’s Award Reception, 6:30 – 9pm
Saturday June 9 & Sunday June 10: Reception & Sales at Circle Gallery
Mimosas & Muffins: Sunday 11am – 1pm

Here are some additional events going on throughout Annapolis Arts Week:

The Annapolis Irish Festival where you can enjoy traditional Celtic music and Irish rock bands on three different stages, along with workshops and exhibits. Try some delicious Irish beef stew and other Irish favorites. Little Leprechaun Land (open on Saturday only 11am– 4pm) provides pony rides, face painting and other free activities for the kids.  June 1 & 2, 2018 at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds annapolisirishfestival.com

16th Annual First Sunday Arts Festival Shop among the creations of 130 local and regional artisans; dine at outdoor cafes; and enjoy the music of more than seven live bands. It’s a great time to explore art galleries, take a game room challenge and/or create your own artwork at shops on West Street taking place on First block of West and Calvert Streets,  Sunday, June 3 – 11am – 5pm – Admission: Free firstsundayarts.com

Dinner Under the Stars is a place for families and friends to come together and for couples to experience a romantic evening under the stars. Artists will paint from sundown to sunrise alongside the hundreds who come to dine, drink, and dance under the night sky. Spend Wednesday evenings dining, dancing and listening to live bands in the middle of the first block of West Street, just off Church Circle. Wednesdays, June 6, 13, 20, 27, 6pm – 10pm dinnerunderthestars.org

Photo Credit: VisitAnnapolis.org & Kenneth Tom Photography

Location: Various
Date: June 1 -10, 2018
Hours: Various
Tel: 410-268-4566
annapolisartsweek.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitannapolis.org

Every winter, throughout the months of January and February, the Jekyll Island Authority hosts a beach treasure hunt known as Island Treasures.

The origin of the event dates back to the early 1900s, when fishermen used glass floats as markers on their nets. Occasionally, the floats would break loose and wash ashore for lucky beachcombers to find and keep. Collecting the rare, highly sought-after glass floats became a hobby in the 1950s.

On Jekyll Island, the tradition continues with the annual Island Treasures event. Artists from across the country are selected to create one-of-a-kind glass floats. Colorful hand-crafted glass floats or globes, similar to the ones once used on fishing nets, are created by glass artisans from across the country.  New for this year, treasure hunters will now hunt for clear, plastic globes that can be exchanged for a handmade glass float at the Jekyll Island Guest Information Center.

Island Treasures are hidden daily, always  in plain view and public spaces. The treasures will never be placed in the dunes, marshes, animal habitats or private property. And, each weekend, double the number of globes hidden around the island.

Inside each plastic globe,  lucky treasure hunters will find a card with instructions to take the globe to the Jekyll Island Guest Information Center. Each card will have a number that corresponds to a real, handcrafted Island Treasure. Hunters will be limited to one glass float per household per year, increasing everyone’s chance to find a glass float. Hunters will also receive a certificate of authenticity and artist biography for their one-of-a-kind float. The Guest Information Center will be open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

This Island Treasures event is FREE and lots of fun for all ages and as a bonus you get to explore this beautiful island.

Location: Jekyll Island Guest Information Center, 901 Downing Musgrove Causeway
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Date: until Feb 28, 2018
Time: Open daily, 9 -6pm
Tel: 912- 635-3636 or 1-877-4-Jekyll
jekyllisland.com/signatureevents/island-treasures
For Regional accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: jekyllisland.com, goldenisles.com

The holiday season would not be complete stepping back into the Victorian era in Fayetteville Christmas tradition. Ever wish for a simpler time, when the pace of life wasn’t hectic and families still enjoyed spending evenings together? Roll back the clock with Fayetteville for A Dickens Holiday.

Horse drawn carriages roll up and down Hay Street, carrying shoppers the old fashioned way by merchants, artisans and vendors of all sorts of delightful treats. Joyful children pose with Father Christmas for memory laden pictures. Savor the inviting aroma of cider and gingerbread permeating the chilly air.

Throughout the day, sounds of the season fill the air as carolers and musicians stroll among the crowd. There is Ebenezer Scrooge himself, pursued by the ghost of Jacob Marley. Perhaps you will be greeted by Tiny Tim and his family.

As darkness approaches and the clock reaches 5pm,  join the townspeople for the candlelight procession to the Market House, followed by fireworks. After the fireworks, the festivities continue until 9pm. Enjoy this truly unique experience and create some lasting memories with your loved ones.

Photo Credit: Wick Smith

Location: Historic Downtown Fayetteville, Hay Street – Fayetteville, NC 28301
Date: Fri,  Nov 24, 2017
Time: 1pm – 9pm
Tel: 910-323-1776
theartscouncil.com/dickensmain
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfayettevillenc.com

Doors open to the 27th Annual Greenland Craft Fair & Pie Sale on November 19th, where each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving you can find a line of people waiting at the Greenland Central School.

Over 500 pies are sold (and eaten!) and  the Woman’s Club mans the cafe with home cooking. Expect to see more than 100 talented artisans and crafters including edibles, fiber artisans, jewelers, and many others will be selling their wares.

The Annual Greenland Craft Fair & Pie Sale is one of the longest running Fairs in the Seacoast. Hosted by the Greenland Women’s Club, a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Fair raises funds that are used for a variety of local, national and international charitable purposes supported by the GWC. Free Admission

Plan to stay for lunch, the cafe will be serving homemade soups, quiche and of course, pie!

Location: Greenland Central School, 70 Post Road, Greenland, NH 03840
Date: Sun, Nov 19, 2017
Time: 10am – 3pm
Tel: 603-498-0099
greenlandwomensclub.org/pie-festival-craft-fair
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: portsmouthnh.com

Don’t miss the annual Market Square Day, this year celebrating it’s 40th anniversary. Created to commemorate the renovation and beautification of downtown Portsmouth – and, in particular, Market Square. Most of Downtown Portsmouth will be vehicle-free and pedestrian-friendly from 9am ’til 5pm, with an estimated crowd of 60,000-80,000 people walking through downtown Portsmouth.

It’s an all day street festival with vendors cooking delicious food, artisan booths selling handcrafted jewelry, accessories, art and  pottery by artists, craftspeople and merchants – many from the Seacoast area. Two performance stages feature local and regional musicians, where you can enjoy live bands and other great entertainment.

The day ‘kicks off’ with the Market Square Day 10K Road Race at 9am. The Start Line is in Market Square – from that point, 2,000 runners and competitive walkers make their way around town finishing at Historic Strawbery Banke.

Take this opportunity to enjoy everything that Portsmouth has to offer.

Remote Festival Parking
Pro Portsmouth runs a Free Shuttle Bus Service from 8:00am – 4:30pm on Market Square day.

To Remote Festival Parking – Fox Run Mall:
95 North, Exit 4 – To 4 & 16 – Take Exit 2 and follow the Festival Parking signs to the overflow lot (across lot and Mall Road)
95 South, Exit 5 – To 4 & 16 – Take Exit 2
Free shuttle service (Yellow school buses) transport you to the Festival area –
8:00am – 4:30pm.

Location: Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Date: Sat, June 10th, 2017
Hours: 9am – 4pm
Tel: 603-433-4398
proportsmouth.org/MarketSquareDay.cfm
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: portsmouthchamber.org