This late in the festival season, it’s much to do about the harvest—and in many corners of the Catskill Mountain Region, it’s garlic we’re pulling from the earth. You’ll find festivals to celebrate this tasty bulb in all corners of the land but none so large as the Garlic Festival held in Saugerties toward month’s end.

I’ve managed to miss this showdown ever since moving to the area, but this year I’m thinking I’ll drop in on one of the smaller garlic festivals being held west of my mountaintop.

Whether garlic is what you’re after, or honey, or apples, beer, baklava or … art there’s a fair deal of festivities to be found in September, and the fall season has just begun.

Here’s what you’ll find without having to look too hard….

Columbia County
The Columbia County Fair concludes on September 1 with Agriculture Appreciation Day, and if you appreciate the rides too, a midway ride pass good from 10 am to closing is just $15. Head to the fairgrounds in Chatham for the open horse show, the Ghent Band Concerts and the Squeezeplay Accordion Band on the North Gate stage, the oxen demos at 2, 5 and 8 pm, Jeff Martell playing acoustic guitar in the upper food tent at 2, 5 and 8 pm, the Painted Pony Rodeo on the main stage with shows at 4 and 6:30 pm, and the Brave Brabants Horse Riding and Trick Show at the Midfield Arena at 4 and 8 pm. Visit www.columbiafair.com if you need directions.

September 20 is Lindenwald Harvest Day, a chance to celebrate the importance of agriculture to Martin Van Buren with a day full of activities for the whole family at the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, 1013 Old Post Road (off Rte 9H), Kinderhook. The fun takes place from 1 to 5 pm. For more information, call 518 758 9689.

The week of September 21 to September 27 is the 11th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival. Screenings are held around the world, including Space 360, located at 360 Warren Street in Hudson. Call 518 697 3360 for showtimes and more information, or visit the Web sites www.360warren.com or www.msfilmfest.com.

Delaware County
Put Up the Harvest on September 7 from 1 to 4 pm with the Slow Food Catskills convivium, which has received a grant from Pure Catskills to present this fall workshop. It will be held at the Delaware County Historical Association building, State Highway 10 northeast of Delhi, and is free to the public.

There will be four canning stations; visitors are encouraged to bring their own canning jars and produce, though organizers cannot guarantee that they will get to everyone over the course of the three hours. Three stations will teach canning via water baths for tomatoes and string beans. One station will be for pickling beets and cucumbers.

For more details visit www.slowfoodcats.com. This event is supported by the Watershed Agricultural Council with funding from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

September 13 and 14 is the Antique Engines Jamboree from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Old time engines of all shapes, sizes and power will be displayed to celebrate antique gas and steam power at Hanford Mills Museum. Antique engines throughout the site will be running and “doing” things. For all the fun, head to Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith. For more information, visit www.hanfordmills.org or call 607 278 5744.

September 27 is a day for fall festivals with the sixth annual Cauliflower Festival in from 9 am to 5 pm presented by the Greater Margaretville Chamber of Commerce and the Stamford Scarecrow Festival from 10 am to 4 pm.

The Cauliflower Festival celebrates a formerly major crop in the area that is enjoying a resurgence along with organic vegetables, meadow-raised meats and more. Visit www.cauliflowerfestival.com for the complete details along with recipes and more.

The Scarecrow Festival in the Stamford Veterans’ Park on Main Street celebrates the harvest season with vendors, games and music for children, along with a children’s identification program by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department. For those who participate in the scarecrow contest, the first prize is $100! The rain date is Sunday.

Dutchess County
September 5 to 7 is the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival, and a chance to taste wines from all over the state while enjoying cooking demonstrations, fine arts, crafts, gourmet food and more. Friday is the Grand Reserve Tasting Event from 6 to 9 pm. Additional hours are Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is $30 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Route 9, Rhinebeck. Click www.hudsonvalleywinefest.com for additional details.

September 6 is Hyde Park Day beginning at 1 pm with rides, games, vendors, food, animals, stage shows, health and safety booths and a community tent, plus the Staatsburg community-wide yard sale and fireworks at 9 pm. Admission to Hackett Hill Park, on East Market Street, is free!

The Town of Wappinger celebrates Community Day on September 7 featuring mechanical and inflatable rides, vendors food tables. The parade kicks off at 2 pm with six marching bands. There will also be stage entertainment including live music and dance bands, plus fireworks at dusk. The rain date is September 14. The event takes place at Schlathaus Park located at Myers Corners and All Angels Hill roads. Admission is free!

Pass the phyllo dough, because September 11 through September 14 is the Greek Festival at Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church with traditional Greek food, pastries and drink, Greek folk dancers, live music, children’s games and vendors. Hours are Thursday to Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm and Sunday from noon to 8 pm. Admission is free, and the event will take place at 140 S. Grand Avenue, Poughkeepsie.

September 13 is the Fala Gala, a celebration of the gift of Scottie dog Fala by Margaret (Daisy) Suckley to Franklin Roosevelt. It’s a day of festivities for dogs of all breeds and their owners, including a Fala look-alike contest. The fun takes place from noon to 3 pm, and there is a $25 registration fee per dog (people are free). Head to the Wilderstein Historic Site, 330 Morton Road, Rhinebeck. Visit www.wilderstein.org for more details.

September 12 to 14 are Stanford Community Days. This festival, now in its 50th year, includes a parade, chicken barbecue, children’s entertainment and games, a flea market, soccer matches and a flower and vegetable show. There will also be refreshment stands and community and civic booths. Hours are Friday from 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is free. Head to the Grange Hall grounds and Recreation Park, 6043 Route 82, Stanfordville.

Also on September 13 is the Hispanic Heritage Festival, a cultural celebration with a host of live entertainment, food and craft vendors, as well as children’s activities from noon to 7 pm. at Waryas Park, Main Street, Poughkeepsie. Admission is free. Click on www.RMPromotions.net for more details.

September 13 and 14 is Pleasant Valley Weekend, featuring a community bike race, community-sponsored food booths, carnival rides, a parade and fireworks on Sunday. Hours on Saturday are 10 am to 7 pm. The free celebration continues beginning at noon on Sunday at the ball field and parking lot behind Town Hall, on Route 44 in Pleasant Valley.

September 17 is Constitution Day Fest at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, in partnership with the National Constitution Center’s annual “I Signed the Constitution” program. A copy of the U.S. Constitution is on display in the Wallace Center for the general public to sign from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is free to the FDR Presidential Library & Museum, Wallace Visitor Center, 4079 Route 9, Hyde Park. Click on www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu for additional information.

East Fishkill celebrates Community Day on September 20 with a parade down Route 82 at noon, plus booths, entertainment, shows and raffles, concluding with fireworks at dusk over Hopewell Recreation Park, Route 376, Hopewell Junction. The rain date is September 21. Admission is free.

Also on September 20 is the Hudson River Arts Festival presented by the Bardavon with nonstop music on two stages. Some of the highlights include Odetta, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk and Ollabelle. Click on www.bardavon.org for ticket information.

September 20 also is the 11th annual Folk Arts Festival, “One River: Man Streams,” presented by the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association as “Bluegrass Between the Bridges” with surprise performers. The event features Hudson River cruises, kids’ activities, ethnic foods and a tent village of crafters, art exhibits and more. The festival begins at 2 pm and concludes with fireworks at 9:30 pm at Waryas Park, Main Street, Poughkeepsie. Admission is free with a $3 suggested donation.

Amenia Community Day is on September 20 with the Indian Rock School Picnic. Events include a chicken barbecue and kid Olympics, plus music by Ed McGhee and friends, a story hour and a variety of booths. There will also be a walk-a-thon fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. For walk-a-thon sponsor list and information call 845 789 1065. The event is free, with a rain date on September 21.

September 20 and 21 is a Pumpkin Festival with pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, hay rides, a petting zoo and theme park from 9 am to 5 pm at Barton Orchards, 63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag. Click on www.bartonorchards.com for more information.

September 21 is Oktoberfest at Tymor Park in the Town of Union Vale, 249 Duncan Road, with dancing to Bud Gramer, plus German singers and dancers. German food and beer will available, and there will be crafts and collectibles vendors. The town will provide free soda all day from noon to 7 pm. Admission is $5, children under 5 are free.

There will also be a Lego Competition on September 21 at Poughkeepsie Plaza, 2600 South Road/Route 9. Bring your own Legos and build an original creation for First, Second and Third place recognition in each age bracket: 4-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-15. Free t-shirts will be provided to the first 50 entrants. Adults are welcome. Participants are requested to preregister by September 18 at the Plaza office; there is a $4 entrance fee. Head over to watch the competition from 1 to 4 pm.

September 27 is the annual Fall Flea Market, held outdoors with antiques, collectibles, pumpkins, food and more from 8 am to 4 pm at the Ole Carousel Antiques Center, 6208 Route 82 North, Stanfordville.

A most unusually-focused film festival finds its way to the FDR Presidential Library and museum on September 27 and 28. Named “For a Better America: The New Deal on Film” is a two-day festival of thirteen films from the Roosevelt era, including The Plow That Broke The Plains and The River, two films by groundbreaking documentary filmmaker, Pare Lorentz. Film screening sessions will be grouped by theme: “Urban Life and Culture,” “The Projects” and “The Land and Environment.” Each session will be followed by moderated discussion.

The films are presented by the Pare Lorentz Film Center of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum and National Archives and Record Administration. Screenings are Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 2 to 5:30 pm. Admission is free at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, Wallace Visitor Center, Route 9 in Hyde Park.

September 28 is Celtic Day in The Park, a celebration on the banks of the Hudson River featuring pipe bands, Celtic music and dance presentations, workshops, sheepdog herding, clan tent displays, a children’s tent with activities, food and more from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is free. Head to Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Old Post Road, Staatsburg, for all the fun. Visit www.staatsburgh.org for more details.

Also on September 28 is the Spirit of Beacon Day with exhibits, crafts, entertainment and food. A parade with bands and marchers heads out from Main Street to Teller Avenue at 1 pm, and admission is free. For more information, visit www.artsmidhudson.org.

Greene County
September 6 and 7 is the debut of a truck show in Windham at Cuomo’s Cove, Route 296, Windham presented by the Antique Truck Club of America, Inc., Catskill Mountain Chapter. You’ll find antique trucks, tractors, cars and equipment. On-site registration is $10, preregistration is $8. This fee covers truck, trailer and any vehicle towed on the same truck and trailer. There is limited space for self-contained campers, no hookups: please call ahead. Show hours are from 9 am to 5 pm. Call 518 734 5903 for more information.

The Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Festival at Blackthorne Resort in East Durham runs from September 11 to 14 with a vendor expo, rodeo games, a bike show with cash prizes, demo rides, a parade, a leather show, fireworks and more. Call 518 634 2541 or click www.blackthorneresort.com for more information. Blackthorne Resort is located at 348 Sunside Road in East Durham.

Return to Blackthorne on September 20 for the Mustang Fall Roundup featuring a cruise through the Catskill Mountains with your new, old or vintage Ford Mustang.

September 27 and 28 is Hunter Mountain’s Microbrew & Wine Festival, a chance to sample craft beers from dozens of microbreweries in the Hudson Valley, plus a variety of gourmet vendors offering specialty foods and delicacies. Call 800 486 8376 or visit www.huntermtn.com for more information, or simply head to Hunter!

Otsego County
Fall into Honey on September 6 at the Farmers’ Museum, Lake Road/Route 80, Cooperstown. The workshop will offer a blend of discussion and hands-on activity. Participants will learn summer and winter habits of bees as well as historical methods for extracting honey. Following discussion, participants will get to try their hands at extracting honey and dipping candles, and will sample several varieties of honey. Call 607 547 1450 or visit www.nysha.org for additional details.

Also on September 6 is Mustard Mayhem at Fly Creek Cider Mill, 288 Goose Street, Fly Creek. Seven of the Mill’s top-selling mustards will be the focus of a tasting, including the wildly popular Honey and Raspberry Honey pretzel-dipping mustards. In addition to being favorite condiments, the Mill’s mustards serve additional roles as marinades and bases for basting sauces. Recipe ideas as well as promotional specials will be available both days. Call 607 547 9692 or visit www.flycreekcidermill.com for more details.

And still more on September 6, is the Central NY Old Time Stock-Car Convention Reunion & Hall of Fame Induction, featuring the mid-state antique stock-car club, chicken barbecue, old racing movies, pictures, memorabilia, original race cars, driving legends, raffles, door prizes, crafts & more at the former Mid-State Speedway, the Otsego County Fairgrounds on Route 23 in Morris from 11 am to 5 pm. Call 607 753 0740 for more details.

September 13 is OmmeFest: Celebrating the Harvest, Beer, and Medieval Arts modeled on the Belgian Kermesse, a traditional village festival. Ommefest will feature Belgian foods, local and slow foods, beer (including a special-release fresh hop beer!) music, medieval games and amusements, plus the “Grand Glorious Garage Sale.” The fun takes place at Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown from noon to 5 pm. Call 607 544 1800 or click www.ommegang.com for additional information.

From 10 am to 5 pm on September 13 and 14 is a Harvest Festival at the Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown. In the tradition of an old-time agricultural fair, this festival is a weekend-long event celebrating the season’s bounty and enabling visitors to experience traditional crafts, food and entertainment. The Farmers’ Museum is located on Lake Road/Route 80 in Cooperstown. Call 607 547 1450 or visit www.farmersmuseum.org for more details.

September 19 to 21 is the Cherry Valley Kite Festival at Cherry Valley Springfield Central School. Presented by Cherry Valley Artworks, there will be kite building seminars, plus indoor and outdoor demonstrations and informal kite flying fun. The High Flyer Flight Team will perform at the indoor fly and some of the country’s premier kite builders and flyers will demonstrate their amazing creations and flying skills. Visit www.cvartworks.org for more details.

September 20 is the Susquehanna Valley Garlic Fest, featuring 10 area garlic growers as well as music, food vendors and food demonstrations by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The festival takes place from 10 am to 5 pm at Wood Bull Antiques, 3920 State Highway 28, Milford. Call 607 638 9016 or visit www.svgarlicfestival.com for more information.

September 20 and 21 is Fly Creek Cider Mill’s Applefest with music, antique tractors and family activities from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and from noon to 5 pm on Sunday. Head to 288 Goose Street, Fly Creek. Call 607 547 9692 or visit www.flycreekcidermill.com for more details.

September 27 is Oktoberfest on the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad, an evening train ride with authentic German food, beer and live German music. Head to 136 East Main Street in Milford. Call 607 432 2429 or visit www.lrhs.com for the complete details.

Schoharie County
September 6 is the second-annual Psychic Fair at the historic Roseboro Hotel with 10 nationally known psychics, plus alternative healers, vendors and treats and hourly lectures and door prizes. Admission is $6. Bring a nonperishable food item for the local food bank and save $1.

Celebrate the Summit Fire Department’s 60th Anniversary on September 13. It’s a full day of old-fashioned games followed by a parade and block party. Call 518 287 1436 for more information or to get involved.

September 13 and 14 is the eighth annual Sharon Springs Garlic Festival at the Sharon Springs Central School from 10 am to 4 pm in the village of Sharon Springs on Route 20, just west of the intersection with state Route 10. You’ll find garlic vendors, artisans, food vendors and entertainment for all ages. Admission is free. Call 518 284 2146 for additional information or visit www.sharonspringsgarlicfestival.com.

September 20 and 21 is the Antiques in Schoharie Show and Sale at the historic Schoharie Train Museum Complex with more than 100 dealers, an appraisal booth and country kitchen. Admission is $5.50. To reach the Train Museum, take Route I-88 to exit 23, then head south on Route 30. Turn right at the Post Office.

September 27 is the Annual Wildlife Festival at the New York Power Authority on Route 30 with wildlife, entertainment, vendors and wagon rides. Call 800 724 0309 for more details.

Sullivan County
The Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods held every Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm with free admission continues this month with “Rustic for the Home” on September 7, featuring locally-made home furnishings including a variety of wood carvings, homemade furniture, pottery, accessories and accents for the home. Performers Janet Burgan, Helen Avakian will be on hand to provide entertainment. There will also be a book signing by Rilla Askew.

September 14 at the Harvest Festival will be the second annual Mountain Music Festival to celebrate the traditional acoustic sounds from Sullivan County and the Hudson Valley. Performers will include North Country, Breakneck Annie, Biodiesel Band, Mike Baglione & Friends. There will also be a book signing by Malachy McCourt.

September 21 at the Harvest Festival will be “An Early Day in Autumn,” set to feature live eagles and raptors as well as organizations working to promote environmental awareness and protect the natural environment around us. Throughout the day visitors can learn about renewable energy, land preservation, sustainable green building, recycling and more. Performers will include Delaware Valley Raptors, with a demonstration of live birds of prey, and Judith Tulloch. There will also be a book signing by the Upper Delaware Writers Collective.

September 28 is the Ag Experience at the Harvest Festival featuring performer Basket Landing and a book signing by Larry Winters.

Admission to the Harvest Festival is free each weekend, and the site is located at the corner of Hurd and West Shore roads in Bethel. Call 845 583 2000 for more details.

September 20 is Jeff Fest in Jeffersonville: a community appreciation day with a car show, live band, street fair, interactive inflatables, old fashioned competitions and more. Area restaurants are offering up family picnic baskets for four at a great price. The theme this year is “Farewell to Summer,” and will feature a large “community picnic” as the day draws to a close.

September 27 is the Von Steuben Day Parade and German Festival at Fireman’s Field in Yulan. There will be a parade at noon, entertainment by Bavarian Musik Verein from Binghamton and Schuhplattler Folk Dancers (Germania Almraulsch) plus German food, beers & wines, plus arts and crafts, a wide variety of amusements and family events, game stands, marching bands and more. Admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 get in free and parking is free. Please leave your pets at home. Call 845 557 8431 for more information.

Ulster County
September 13 from 9 am to 4 pm is the Art in the Park show with paintings, pottery, woodcarvings, stained glass, glass blowing, sculptures, mosaics and more at Verkeerder Kill Park, located on Route 52 between Walker Valley and Pine Bush. The rain date is September 14. Call 845 744 3960 or visit www.shawangunk.org for more details.

Also on September 13 is the Rotary Fall Festival from 11 am to 4 pm. in Kingston’s Rotary Park.

A festival for the palate awaits on September 14 at the 17th Annual Taste of New Paltz. Dozens of local restaurants, wineries, micro breweries and craftspeople will offer up their wares, and there will be games and contests for children, a silent auction, door prizes and more. Head down to the Ulster County Fairgrounds, Libertyville Road, New Paltz. For more information, call 845 255 0243 or visit www.newpaltzchamber.org.

September 21 is Plattekill Day with exhibits, music, a car show, games, family entertainment, food, tours and more at Thomas Felten Community Park, Route 32, Modena from 10 am to 5 pm. Call 845 883 6022 for more information about this event.

September 27 is the second annual Celebration of the Arts in New Paltz, with 100 local artists of mixed skill levels and ages, free performances, a writer’s table, food vendors, children’s activities and more at Hasbrouck Park from 10 am to 5 pm. The rain date is September 28. Click on www.celebrationofthearts.net for more information.

Also on September 27 is the fourth annual Jennie Bell Pie Festival with pie tastings and contests, car show, arts and craft vendors, food, live music, hay rides, a kids’ talent show, fireworks and more at Kelder’s Farm on Route 209 in Accord. Call 845 626 2616 or visit www.kelderfarm.com for additional details.

The 20th annual Garlic Festival in Saugerties returns to Cantine Field on September 27 from 10 am to 6 pm and September 28 from 10 am to 5 pm with food (garlic ice cream, anyone?), crafts, music, lectures and more—much of it centered on garlic. Call 845 246 3090 or visit www.hvgf.org for the flavorful details.

Also on September 27 and 28 are Kid’s Days at Prospect Hill Orchards with face painting, scarecrow making, cider pressing, hay rides and more. Point your tractor toward 40 Clark’s Lane in Milton. The fun runs from 10 am to 3 pm daily. Call 845 795 2383 or visit www.prospecthillorchards.com if you have questions.

If this were a carnival, you’d see the bearded lady and sword-swallowing monkey taking down the tents for their trip to the next town about now, because that wraps it up for another edition of “A Fair Deal.”

As always, if I missed events presented in your favorite field or park, please e-mail them to festsandfairs@yahoo.com.