6 fun fall events not to miss in the Berkshires

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

1 Fun for young (and old!)

Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Harvest Festival is back this year, Oct. 8-9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring the kids to enjoy a hayride, pony rides, a haunted house, pumpkin tossing, a hay maze, music and entertainment. Children under 12 admitted free. Information: berkshirebotanical.org

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

2 Strut your stuff

The 66th annual Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage kicks off at 1 p.m., Oct. 2, following the traditional parade route beginning at the intersection of State and Old State roads in North Adams, winding its way north along State, Main and Ashland streets. This year, the parade is celebrating the theme “Holidays on Parade.”

3 RambleFest is for the whole family

Live music, local craft beer and wine, craft exhibitors and more are on display from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 9, with plenty going on for the kids as well. Roast a marshmallow, decorate your own pumpkin, take a historic train ride with Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, outdoors at the Adams Visitors Center, 3 Hoosac St.

Information: exploreadams.com/event/ramblefest

4 The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back

Explore the famous gardens as Naumkeag transforms into a celebration of autumn with over 1,500 jack-o’- lanterns, hundreds of mums, pumpkins and countless gourds – most of which were grown right at Naumkeag. Wednesday-Sunday, Sept. 30 to Oct. 30. Open on Monday, Oct. 31.

Information: thetrustees.org/halloween

5 Bigger and scarier than ever

Experience terror as you descend into the depths of Jiminy Peak’s past as a haunted hold out in Hancock.

Information: 13nightsatjiminy.com

6 Visit a local farm

Pick up pumpkins and enjoy seasonal family programs at Ioka Valley in Hancock or Whitney’s Farm Market in Cheshire, visit an area corn maze, and keep on coming back for those cider doughnuts. ■