Harvest Festival Returns to The Farmers Museums Fall Lineup

Cooperstown, New York — Celebrate the bounty of fall as Harvest Festival returns to The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, taking place Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Since 1978, this family-friendly event has grown to become a regional favorite, bringing together a wide variety of performers, artisans, and vendors.  Situated on the museum’s picturesque grounds near Otsego Lake, it offers the perfect blend of new attractions and trusted favorites. Visit FarmersMuseum.org for a complete schedule.

Find two days of live performances. Hear music by folk singer and songwriter Kevin McKrell both days. The museum's Templeton Players will be on stage with two performances: Petticoat Perfidy (Saturday) and Cox & Box (Sunday)–both guaranteed to captivate audiences of all ages. Edelweiss Schuhplattlers of the Utica Maennerchor will perform traditional Austrian or German folk dances. Bill Ackerbauer, an acoustic guitarist who dabbles in harmonica, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and other instruments, will perform his family program on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (See website for full schedule).

There is an abundance of activities for families and kids at Harvest Fest. The Catskill Puppet Theater will hold a performance on Sunday. At the Crafts Table, kids can make corn husk dolls, paper strip pumpkins, and autumn greeting cards. There will also be face painting, scavenger hunts, and a children’s hay bale maze. Outdoor games include cornhole, nine pins, and some traditional 19th-century games. Ride the Empire State Carousel. At the Farmstead, find cider pressing, corn shelling and grinding, and as well as horse-drawn wagon rides. In the blacksmith shop, kids can discover how metal is shaped by hammering molding clay which has the feel of hammering hot steel. Have the family sit for an authentic tintype photograph on Saturday and Sunday at the Herkimer Kitchen in the Country Village (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. each day, weather permitting).

The ongoing traditions of Harvest Festival contribute to its charm. Musicians Jim Kimball and Karen Canning perform nineteenth-century tunes on the porch at Bump Tavern. Mr. Kimball has added to the festival’s ambiance since the late 1970s.

Animals always take the spotlight at Harvest Festival. Aside from our beautiful farm animals, Hinman Hollow Sport Training will dazzle you with their canine agility and obedience demonstrations.

In the Main Barn, view the exhibit Growing Tomorrow’s Farmers which celebrates the role children played on family farms from the 19th century to the present. The exhibit features photographs of several families who live in the region.

If you like historical trades, you won’t be disappointed. Many artisans show off their skills each year. Get hands-on with rope making, coopering, and see spinning and fiber art demonstrations.  You’ll also find a dulcimer maker, quilters, a jeweler, woodworkers, a china painter, bakers, maple producers, artists, and potters featuring many unique items from the region. 

Harvest Festival gives visitors the opportunity to join in and assist our interpreters with common activities from the 19th century such as the harvesting of potatoes. There are interesting happenings in each building in the Country Village including the Blacksmith Shop, the Print Shop, and the Farmhouse.

An abundance of delicious foods from the season’s harvest awaits festival-goers including the mouthwatering roasted corn from Our Green Acres, sausage from Beckmann’s, and great Greek cuisine from The Grapevine. You will also find homemade pies and fresh baked goods from the Pomona Grange (Saturday only).

Get a head start on your holiday shopping with some new and unique gifts for everyone in the family at Todd’s General Store and The Farmers’ Museum Store.

One-day entry to Harvest Festival: $15 adults (13-64), $12.50 seniors (65+), $6 juniors (7-12), children 6 and younger and museum members are free. Purchase tickets at the museum on the day of the event. Freemuseum admission is also available for those receiving SNAP benefits (up to 4 people) with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

Harvest Festival is sponsored in part by Five Star Subaru.

Visit Fenimore Art Museum on the same day–located just across the street! Get two great museums for one low price when you purchase a two-way ticket for $25 or $22.50 seniors. Two-way tickets can be purchased at the admissions desk of either museum during Harvest Festival. See Fenimore’s new fall exhibitions featuring The Art of Observation: The Best of Photographer Elliott Erwitt, and others–as well as the Museum’s renowned collections. The museum and Fenimore Gift Shop are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For an up-to-date schedule and other information, please visit FarmersMuseum.org. The Farmers’ Museum is located at 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, N.Y., 13326.