Fresh Air Festivals: An outdoor event for every season

The Hunt Races have been hosted here for more than 120 years, and some of the finest steeplechase trainers on the eastern seaboard bring their horses here to compete for more than $30,000 in prize money.

The New York State Festival of Balloons at Dansville Municipal Airport in Livingston County brings over 35,000 spectators each year. A Labor Day Weekend tradition, you’ll find breathtaking balloon launches, a full food court, an arts and crafts show, children’s rides and amusements and even a kickoff concert featuring a different local artist each year. In the evening, don’t miss the balloon glow, a spectacular spectacle of lighted, colorful hot air balloons spread across the festival grounds. And with attendance, you’ll be giving back too – one of the festival’s biggest priorities is to share its profits from the event with local charities and organizations.

Rare, beautifully preserved and restored items are displayed each year at the Western New York Gas & Steam Engine Association’s Annual Rally. Held in Alexander, NY every September, the event aims to educate attendees about “antique internal combustion engines, steam engines and the equipment of yesteryear.” Visitors of the rally will have the chance to experience a historical working museum, participate in a basket raffle with over 100 items, witness a tractor pull, enjoy one of the many events for kids, hear live music, and browse a nearly two-acre flea market full of unique finds and other useful items. Join in for some farm-fresh fun that can’t be beat!

The Town of Middlebury comes together each September to celebrate the apple and pumpkin harvest at the AppleUmpkin Festival. Held since 1986, the festival includes hundreds of outdoor craft vendors, delicious festival treats for the whole family and strolling entertainers – everything from jugglers to cloggers found across Main Street and the Village Park. Join the Bake-Off, with apple, pumpkin or apple-pumpkin (AppleUmpkin) pies, or just enjoy this opportunity to step back in time to the historic Gaslight Village and celebrate the start of the beautiful fall season.

Imagine strolling along the Grand Canyon of the East, surrounded by trees and fresh green grass, while browsing collections from master craftspeople and artisans. That sums up the Letchworth Arts & Crafts Show & Sale (LACS), a staple of Letchworth State Park for over 44 years. Bringing together over 330 artists, master craftspeople, and handmade artisans from around the country, people flock to Letchworth to see and select new treasures and artist creations each year. The festival also features live entertainment, food vendors, and family friendly activities. Taking place at the Highbanks Recreation Area of Letchworth Park, each Columbus Day weekend, admission is free with a $10 per car entry. LACS has been ranked in the Top 50 Arts Festivals in the United States by Sunshine Arts Magazine – so don’t miss this incredible event, full of fresh finds at every turn.

Don’t let the cold be an excuse to keep you indoors. There’s no better way to usher in the holiday season and enjoy the fresh winter weather than with the Medina Parade of Lights, held in November each year. Leading up to the parade is a whole day of events including a “Vendor’s Village,” DIY holiday crafts, basket raffles, pet parade, free tastings at local businesses and of course, visits with Santa Claus himself. The day comes to a spectacular end with eye-catching fireworks followed by the Parade of Lights reminiscent of a Hallmark movie.Full of fresh ideas from these fantastic festivals? Now it’s time to get out and enjoy the fun!