Published: September 29, 2009 09:23 am      

'It's a great family time' | Up-and-coming fall festivals offer variety of events to see and do

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

Some of the area’s fall festivals have come and gone, while others are up and coming.

The 25th annual Autumnfest will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Oct. 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort near Champion.

Guests will be able to view fall foliage while taking a chairlift ride to the top of the mountain.

“The chairlifts are $5 per person, per ride,” said communications manager Anna Weltz.

“On a clear day, you can see for miles. The alpine slide is $7.

“You can get the lift up and slide down. It’s 1,980 feet. The kids love it.”

A traditional Bavarian-style buffet will feature German potato pancakes and black forest cake, and children will be entertained by games and crafts.

Entertainment will feature performances by the Zany Umbrella Circus and musical acts featuring classic rock, country and blues.

An arts and crafts bazaar will feature more than 80 crafters.

“We attract 3,000 to 5,000 people per weekend,” Weltz said.

“It’s a great family time.”

The 12th annual Cresson Area Heritage Days will be held Friday through Sunday on Front Street in Cresson.

“In the Cresson area, our biggest heritage is the railroad, but we have coal mining and farming, too,” said committee chairman Howard Harkins.

“We do this for a community event.”

The entertainment schedule will feature Clay Bowser on Friday; Singing McGuires, Jerry Carnicella and the White Shadow Band and Christian rock with The Burning on Saturday; and a Tribute to Elvis, Charlene’s School of Dance and Michael O’Brien Band on Sunday.

Harkins said the kids’ carnival is popular, and a highlight of the festival is a car show sponsored by the Portage Cruisers Car Club from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The 45th Bedford Fall Foliage Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Oct. 10-11 in downtown Bedford.

More than 400 crafters will display their handcrafted works, and musical entertainment will include country, Christian, Celtic, blues, rock, swing, oldies, bluegrass, jazz and big band.

There will be tributes to the Blues Brothers and Rolling Stones, and The Vogues will perform at 2 and 4 p.m. Oct. 11.

There will be plenty of children’s activities, and an antique car parade at 2 p.m. Oct. 10.

Parking, which is $5, will be available at Bedford County Fairgrounds and Old Bedford Village, with free shuttles running nonstop to the festival.

Apple Cider Festival and Craft Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Prince Gallitzin State Park, 966 Marina Road, Patton.

Parking and admission are free.

The 50th Fort Ligonier Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 10 and noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 at the historic fort and on the streets of downtown Ligonier.

A highlight of the festival will be a performance by the renowned Quantico Marine Corps Band at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Ligonier Valley High School.

The band also will participate in a community parade beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 10.

Artillery demonstrations will be held at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 10-11, with re-enactments of the Battle of Fort Ligonier at 2 and 4.

Musical entertainment will feature classic rock, country, gospel, polka and a Beatles’ tribute. Chuck Blasko and the Vogues will perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 10.

A free bus shuttle service will be provided from the high school.



In the area

Cresson Area Heritage Days, Friday through Sunday, Front Street, Cresson; www.cressonarea.com/heritage-days/

Bedford Fall Foliage Festival, Saturday and Sunday and Oct. 10-11, downtown Bedford; www.bedfordfallfestival.com.

Autumnfest, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25, Seven Springs Mountain Resort; www.7springs.com.

Apple Cider Festival and Craft Show, Sunday, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Patton; www.dcnr.state.pa.us/Calendar/view_event.asp?Calendar ID=9496&Location=List

Fort Ligonier Days, Oct. 9-11, downtown Ligonier and Fort Ligonier; www.ligonier.com/fld.html.