Description

Despite the gloomy, damp weather the annual Fall Foliage Festival in Bedford, PA. kicked off its second weekend with a bounty of crafts, food, and activities. The foliage in western Pa. was not as spectacular as I usually remember it, but the the festival was worth a four hour trip just the same.

Highlights included a real New Orleans Jazz Band that played several sets, followed by another quartet, a parade, and high school band. For the little guys there was a Middle Earth Puppet Theatre that presented several shows a day.

On the second Saturday there are booths featuring "kids crafts" and I fell prey to an adorable little boy scout selling stainless steel, wood handled, back-pack friendly twin hot dog cookers that could double as a chicken cooker over an open fire. Nevermind that I have never in my life cooked over an open fire...at least now I will be ready.

Food highlights included the standards as well as candy and caramel apples, kettle popcorn, blooming onions(deep-fried), funnel cakes, fudge of all flavors, apple dumplings, gobs, and a host of other treats.

Several re-enactors from nearby historical organizations demonstrated camping, fishing, and crafts used by French and Indian War soldiers at Fort Bedford. Parking in town is at a premium, but for $2 you can park and ride a convenient shuttle bus to the heart of the fair. If crafts are your thing you will find innumerable dried flower, wooden, stuffed, painted and other assorted decorations for Halloween or Christmas celebrations. I was taken by a "scarf lady" who made matching scarfs and earrings and was doing a brisk business. While my legs soon tired from the walking I felt thereas more to see and do.