CATSKILL REGION – The days are getting shorter, the leaves on the trees are changing, the Monarch butterflies are passing through and you can feel the change starting, as you might say "fall is in the air".
Local schools welcomed students back to class this week. You hear chainsaws buzzing as we all prepare to make the transition into fall. Fall, due to its brilliant colors and the many gorgeous late summer days that remain, is a favorite season for many.
While spring welcomes new beginnings and new growth, fall is the time to reap the rewards of growth as we harvest what the summer sun has produced in the region. This is the best time for farmers markets as the gourds, pumpkins and Indian corn are added and the strawberries and blueberries yield to the apples and pears. Peaches are just showing up at some markets and its busy time of year as the next couple of months will find us preparing for winter.
People were getting their final summer vacations in before the kids went back to school and college.The last of the summer festivals have taken place and events move into the annual Cauliflower Festival, Wildlife Festival, the Antique Engine Jamboree, Middleburgh's Columbus Day celebration and others such as Windham's Autumn Affair. They all celebrate the fall season and provide good reasons to take to local roadways to view nature's many colors.
Those of us who do live here may take the beautiful fall colors a bit for granted, but we do live in one of the most beautiful areas to enjoy fall colors - the Catskill Mountains. Even in the worst of conditions, we always have picturesque scenery unlike anywhere else in the world. It's a time to take the back roads and enjoy the many fall activities. Take a trip to pick out a pumpkin on a warm, sunny fall day. They will be showing up in the farm stands or you might try a pick-your-own spot to visit.
The Autumn Equinox will arrive on September 22 at 8:04 pm., according to the Farmers Almanac.
In case you haven't noticed, the leaves have already begun to change, both in texture and color as the amount of chlorophyll lessens. I have seen a couple of trees already that have leaves that are turning orange. Certainly, the vibrant green is gone from the leaves and there's no turning back. We can only hope strong winds stay at bay so we can see the best fall brilliance before it is all blown away.
How much we get to see and enjoy the brilliance of Mother Nature, depends on Mother Nature. Wind can sweep away those colors in no time.
The change is underway and the shorter the days get, the more the change takes place. After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights as the sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. Leaves change color because of the amount of daylight and photosynthesis, not due to weather conditions as some people think.
September and October will be cooler and wetter than normal. Below average temperatures are forecast by the Farmers Almanac, along with an uptick in precipitation over traditional averages.
Some of the favorite venues to enjoy in Fall include: The Dan Rion Memorial Antique Engine Jamboree is coming up soon! Come out to Hanford Mills in East Meredith for this annual event, happening this year on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 & 13. The event runs 10 a.m - 4 p.m both days, with admission by donation. There will be vendors, food, live music, children’s activities, blacksmith demonstrations, dozens of exhibitors displaying antique engines and vehicles.; The 22nd annual Margaretville Cauliflower Festival on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. There will be more than 25 vendors in Village Park (980 Main St.). The day's events kick off with a tractor parade. The event honors the history of cauliflower farming, agriculture, arts and community with food, live music, vendors and activities from Sept. 18-20.; Sharon Springs Harvest Festival, Sept. 19 and 20. The Harvest Festival is back for its 16th year, filling the streets of Sharon Springs with live music, farm-fresh food, artisan crafts, and the kind of small-town magic you can't get anywhere else. Saturday 10 until 5 and Sunday 10 until 4.; Conesville Celebrates America, Sept. 19, 4 p.m. until dusk. Touch a Truck, food vendors, living history displays, hands on history displays, a pop-up museum , children's activities, face painting and more, including, chicken bbq, square dancing and fireworks; Middleburgh Rotary’s 34th Annual Timothy Murphy Fall Festival, Oct. 10 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Middleburgh. A wonderful day fills the community with vendors, food trucks, a parade, beautiful fall foliage, Middleburgh NY Scarecrows and loads of fall fun!Vendors and food trucks from 9-3 and a Parade at 11.
Those are just some of the many fall activities to look forward to as we watch the leaves change into brilliant foliage – welcome fall.
