A day of fall fun awaits families at Autumn Fest

Families looking to make a day out of the ELF Autumn Fest, organized by the Keene Sentinel, will have plenty of options, whether that means taking a hayride, climbing a rock wall, browsing locally made crafts or simply enjoying the sights and sounds of the festival. Autumn Fest is designed to offer something for visitors of different ages and interests, bringing together family activities, entertainment, local artisans and other attractions for a celebration of the season. For families in particular, the festival's lineup offers plenty of ways to keep children occupied throughout the day. Hayrides will provide a more traditional taste of fall, while an obstacle course and bounce house will give younger festivalgoers an opportunity to burn off some energy. Those looking for a little more adventure can head for the rock wall or bungee trampolines. Together, the activities mean families can mix some higher-energy attractions with more leisurely stops as they make their way around the festival. Returning for a second year, the Granite State Disc Dogs will perform three shows throughout the day at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. The demonstrations feature dogs racing, leaping and catching flying discs while showcasing the athleticism and training that have made the performances a popular attraction at Autumn Fest. Adults and children interested in cars can also spend some time checking out the classic car show, adding another attraction to a festival lineup built to appeal to a wide range of interests. Meet the makers The craft fair provides another opportunity for families to slow down and explore. Beyond offering a chance to shop for locally made goods, the fair can introduce visitors to the people and skills behind them. Among those participating is Mary Scheidel of The Woven Word LLC in Keene, whose work centers on chair caning, recaning and furniture restoration. Scheidel plans to bring examples of her work to Autumn Fest while also giving visitors a glimpse into how the process is done. "I will be showcasing chairs that I have recaned and will be for sale," Scheidel said. "I will also be demonstrating how to cane a chair (what piece is yet to be determined). I hope people will learn that caning and furniture restoration is a labor of love and dedication of the people who do this type of work as a living or even a hobby." For families, demonstrations like Scheidel's can turn a trip through the craft fair into something more interactive. Children and adults can see not only a finished product but some of the work that goes into creating or restoring it. Scheidel's own connection to chair caning stretches back to her childhood. "When I was a child, I used to watch my grandmother cane chairs for people," she said. "At the time, it was not something that I was interested in learning but as I grew up, I wanted to learn but she had stopped caning a few years prior due to arthritis." Years later, an opportunity arose for Scheidel to pick up the skill she remembered watching her grandmother practice. "I had an opportunity to learn from someone a couple of years ago and I found I liked doing it, so I started finding pieces to practice on," she said. "I stay interested in continuing the craft because there are different patterns to be done along with different styles of chairs and furniture that require some TLC to breathe new life into it." Making a day of Autumn Fest With so much happening, families may want to give themselves enough time to explore rather than rushing from one attraction to another. A possible itinerary could begin with a walk around the grounds to get a sense of everything being offered. Families with younger children could then head toward the bounce house or obstacle course before taking a hayride together. Older children looking for more of a challenge might gravitate toward the rock wall and bungee trampolines. From there, visitors could explore the craft fair, where demonstrations such as Scheidel's provide a quieter change of pace. The classic car show offers another stop parents, grandparents and children can experience together. And families do not necessarily need to follow the same schedule. Part of the appeal of a festival with a varied lineup is the ability to build the day around the interests — and energy levels — of those attending. Autumn Fest brings together many of the ingredients of a traditional New England fall outing while adding attractions geared toward children and families. Hayrides provide the seasonal atmosphere, while the bounce house, obstacle course, rock wall and bungee trampolines bring a more active side to the day. Meanwhile, the classic cars and craft fair give families places to browse, talk with participants and discover something new. For Scheidel, the craft fair is a chance to show visitors why traditional skills remain worth preserving. Combined with family activities, live entertainment and the classic car show, Autumn Fest offers families numerous ways to spend a fall day together. For more information and tickets, visit keenesentinel.com/autumn_fest.