The autumn always brings bright colors to the countryside in Springfield. But, in many ways, it’s also the tastiest time of year. Visitors will find apples a plenty!

You can’t think of fall without bringing to mind fresh, hot apple cider or a crunch Macintosh. Of course, there’s always that homemade apple pie.

One of the main fall events in the region is the annual Vermont Apple Festival & Craft Show on Columbus Day Weekend. The 22^nd annual Festival features an apple pie contest (both traditional and non-traditional) as well as handpressed apple cider. There’s also entertainment for the family including live folk and bluegrass music throughout the event.

The official orchard of the Vermont Apple Festival is Wellwood Orchards. Wellwood has pick your own apples with over 20 varieties on site. Of course, there’s fresh-baked apple pies and fresh apple cider. There’s a lot to see as well with the petting zoo and haunted house. Plus you can pick up your pumpkins to get ready for Halloween. And, if you dare, you can explore the Spooky Hollow Ride. Wellwood Orchards is on Wellwood Orchard Road in Springfield, just past Crown Point Country Club.

Speaking of Halloween, Cogers Sugar House Gardens in North Springfield hosts the 6 th annual Night of the Jack-O-Lantern on Sunday, October 24^th. Admission is one carved pumpkin, which is added to the lighted pumpkin walk (the pumpkin can be taken home at the end of the night). Free torch lit wagon rides and refreshments along with storytelling, face painting and the annual snowboard raffle. Cogers is just off Rt. 10 in North Springfield. For more information, call toll-free 800-488-2643.

From the colors to the tastes and frights of fall, Springfield has it all.