10 for the Road

You can plan now to attend these weekend events, occurring within a few weeks and within a day's drive of Philadelphia.

1. 38th Annual Peters Valley Craft Fair. Sept. 27-28. Augusta, N.J. About 180 exhibitors sell their crafts near the Delaware Water Gap, accompanied by live music, demonstrations, children's art, and food. www petersvalley.org; 973-948-5200.

2. Flying Pumpkin Festival. Sept. 27. Pittstown, N.J. Celebrate autumn by using medieval war machines to send pumpkins hurtling across a field. Also, building cars out of ears of corn and racing them, painting pumpkins, pony rides, and a petting zoo. www.youngeventplanners.org; 908-236-0362.

3. Hunter Mountain Microbrew, Wine, and Fine Food Festival. Sept. 27-28. Hunter, N.Y. Enjoy tastings, food, and music, as local breweries, wineries, food producers, and entertainers celebrate the Hudson Valley. www.huntermtn.com; 518-263-4223.

4. Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival. Sept. 25-28. Newport, R.I. Join more than 150 vintners, chefs, and food and wine experts for tastings, seminars, demonstrations, and a gala wine event, all at the glamorous Newport mansions. www.newportmansions.org; 401-847-1000.

5. 12th Annual Vermont Civil War Expo. Sept. 27. Chester, Vt. Featuring reenactments of camp life, artillery and infantry drills, speakers, historical displays, period music, a parade, and other educational activities. www.18thvt.com; 802-476-3580.

6. Cape Land and Sea Harvest. Sept. 25-28. Hyannis, Mass. Experience fishing, farming, and all things Cape Cod. www.capecodclash.org; 508-362-3225.

7. Fall Festival. Sept. 27. Woodbine, Md. Petting zoo, pony rides, games, and horses in costume, with proceeds to benefit neglected and abused horses. www.defhr.org; 410-442-1564.

8. Nothin' Fancy Bluegrass Festival. Sept. 25-27. Buena Vista, Va. More than 20 nationally known bluegrass bands, including Rhonda Vincent, Cherry Holmes, and Michelle Nixon & Drive. www.nothinfancybluegrass.com; 540-461-0954.

9. Danville-Pittsylvania County Fair. Sept. 19-27. Ringgold, Va. A traditional county fair with rides, games, a demolition derby and live music. www.dpcfairgrounds.com/Fair.html; 434-822-6850.

10. Cranberry Shindig. Sept. 28. Hillsborough, W.Va. Family fun includes live entertainment, arts and crafts, and apple butter making at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center. www.pocahontascountywv.com; 1-800-336-7009.

- Elizabeth Fox