A community event celebrating all things having to do with apples.. Enjoy two days of orchard tours, cider making and tastings, workshops and more. Events include open houses at several area orchards; a Cider Salon at the White Church Community Center, Memorial Street, Old Deerfield on November 7 from 6 to 7 p.m. (tickets are $15); and Cider Days Harvest Supper at the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association Teacher's Building, Memorial Street, Old Deerfield, from 7 to 9 p.m. on November 7. The feast includes seasonal savory and sweet New England themed cuisine. Every year, this dinner celebrates the local fall harvest by incorporating as many local ingredients as possible. (tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at door). There is a charge for some of the activities but there is no admission for the self-guided tour of the orchards or the Marketplace at the Shelburne Buckland Community Center in Shelburne. IUnformation: www.ciderday.org/index.html

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS/STURBRIDGE top of listings

Worcester Center for Crafts
25 Sagamore Road
Worcester, MA 01605
Phone: 508-753-8183
Fax: 508-797-5626

Expand your horizons

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Our Festival of Crafts on Thanksgiving weekend is an exciting and much-anticipated Worcester event. This year will have extra special happenings to celebrate the Festivals 25th birthday. The Festival is a juried show and includes 55 of the finest artists who will be selling their hand-crafted work including: jewelry, pottery, glass, hand-woven textiles, wood turned bowls, furniture & lamps. Visitors to this warm and intimate crafts fair, held in our gallery and studios, will find unique items for everyone on their gift lists while being able to meet with artists at the forefront of contemporary craft. Bake sale, food & refreshments available to purchase and as in past years there is the Artisans’ Shoebox Raffle. Image: Anne Havel

The event also serves as a fundraiser, providing support for ongoing programs, services and general operations of the Craft Center.

NORTH OF BOSTON/MERRIMACK VALLEY top of listings

Topsfield Fair
207 Boston Street, Route 1
Topsfield, MA 01983
Phone: 978-887-5000
Fax: 978-887-3016

America’s Oldest Fair!
October 2 - October 12, 2009

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The 191st annual Topsfield Fair will run from Friday, October 2, 2009 through Columbus Day, October 12, 2009. The country's oldest continuously operating county fair features family entertainment, agricultural exhibits including the New England Giant Pumpkin weigh-off on opening day, a premier fall flower show, poultry, fruit and vegetables, rabbits, 4-H, a draft horse show, horse and oxen pulling, pigs, goats, sheep, llamas and alpacas, the Essex County Farm Yard, a Farm/Fair Museum, Home Arts, art show and much, much more including the Fiesta Shows Midway.

SOUTH OF BOSTON/PLYMOUTH top of listings

America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration
Route 3A and Water Street
Plymouth, MA
Phone: 508-746-1818

November 20-22, 2009

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On November 20 at 7 p.m., enjoy a free Patriotic Concert at Memorial Hall, 83 Court Street, with Tops in Blue, U.S. Air Force’s premier entertainment showcase. On November 21, the Grand Parade commences at 11 a.m., beginning in North Plymouth and continuing south along Route 3A. After the parade, festivities continue with the Crafter's Pavilions and the New England Food Festival at Pilgrim Memorial State Park on Water Street. The Senior Drum & Bugle Corp Reunion Concert is held on Saturday evening at Memorial Hall, 83 Court Street. Information: www.usathanksgiving.com/