Fall Festivals and Activities in the Pocono Mountains

Just when you think the Pocono Mountains is chock full of entertaining things to see and do, they went and added several fall festivals to their already packed itinerary, and it isn’t your everyday run of the mill fall festivals, these babies are packed to the brim with a whirlwind of events. Since the 1800’s, the Pocono Mountains, located in northeast Pennsylvania has been a favorite destination for romantics and vacationers. The Poconos covers 2,400 square miles of mountains, lakes, streams, numerous state parks, and woodlands, making it a natural choice for nature, sports and outdoor enthusiasts. Along with all of these great activities the Pocono Mountains also has several spectacular fall festivals that span out over several towns that lay nestled throughout the mountains.

Hazleton, Pa. FunFest
The crisp and clean cooler September weather is perfect for enjoying the Hazleton, Pennsylvania fall festival. Located just five miles south of the intersection of Interstates 80 and 81 in northeastern Pennsylvania, this fall festival features different themes each year adding to its growing popularity which currently has grown to approximately 100,000 guests. The admission is free, and each year the festival features a car show, parade, eating competition, craft show, a street fair, and fireworks. This year’s theme at the fall festival in Hazleton, Pennsylvania is “Fifty Years of Rock and Roll.” Included with the many other events will be a hoola hoop contest, a 50’s dance contest, and several other fifty’s related events.To find out more, go to: http://www.hazletonchamber.org/funfest/index.htm

Shawnee, Pa. Fall Foliage Balloon Festival
Country and western fans will love the Fall Foliage Balloon Festival at Shawnee, Pennsylvania. The festival kicks off on Friday, October the 13th with the annual balloon liftoff, and continues through the 15th. The festival is located in the southwestern part of the Pocono Mountains on route 333 just a one hour drive north on highway 322/22 from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Live entertainment is featured along with booths, crafts, chain saw sculpting, dancing, country and western day, and fireworks. This festival has returned annually for twenty-two years due to its unique style and popularity.For more information go to: http://www.poconoballoonfestival.com/

Mount Hope, Pa. Renaissance Fall Faire Festival
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Outdoor Fall Faire Festival in Mount Hope, Pennsylvania was recently named one of the “Top 100 festivals In America” by the American Bus Association due to the mesmerizing re-creation of the 16th century country festival celebrating a visit by Queen Elizabeth I. More than 90 performances take place daily on the 35-acre Elizabethan village including a Final Joust that will make you come out of your seat from the realistic shows that the actors have perfected. After you have settled down a bit, you might want to bring your appetite as the hungry peasant or the earthy adventuress can feast on tasty samples of authentic foods, including enormous drumsticks just like they ate in the 16th century. The grounds also features the Grubb’s family Victorian mansion that can be toured or rented for special occasions. The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and features a wine tasting room for guests to savor the abundant sparkling wine made from the very best locally grown grapes. The festival runs from August 12th through October 29th, and is located on route 72 just 5 miles south from Interstate 76 in Lancaster County, Pa. For more information on this fall festival, visit http://www.parenaissancefaire.com/