The picturesque Upper Valley encompasses more than 25 towns including Lyme, Lebanon, Hanover, and Orford in New Hampshire, Norwich, Thetford, and Fairlee in Vermont. Anyone looking to relocate to the Upper Valley will find themselves surrounded by lush natural beauty, which experiences dramatic seasonal changes throughout the year.
Several Upper Valley festivals and events keep residents connected and help celebrate each new shift in the seasons. From agricultural fairs to the annual Chad Hero Half Marathon, there’s always something to look forward to in the Upper Valley.
Fall is a fantastic time to visit the Upper Valley to investigate cultural and community offerings that take place around the region. Below are some of the best fall events to take in.
The Cornish Fair
August 20th - 21st, 2022
The Cornish Fair remains a traditional, family friendly, educational, agricultural fair in Cornish, NH. Fairgoers come to see the fruit and vegetable exhibits, horse and oxen pulling, 4-H, crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment, vendors, amusement rides and more. The fair is also home to the largest dairy show in all of New Hampshire, and remains committed to the education and sustainability of the agriculture industry.
Movie Screen on the Green
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One of the top fall events in Upper Valley is
Movie Screen on the Green in Lebanon. Hosted by the Lebanon Parks and Recreation Department, this family-friendly program runs through September. Held at Colburn Park, Movie Screen on the Green invites families to pack their picnic blankets and snacks to enjoy an outdoor film screening that starts promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Past screenings included
The Incredibles, Raya and the Last Dragon, and many other family favorites. If you want to grab a bite before the movie, a few great options are located next to the park—including the
Three Tomatoes Trattoria,
Lalo’s Taqueria,
Salt Hill Pub, and
Village Pizza and Grill. The best part is that even if you move to the Upper Valley, you’re only a short drive from Lebanon.
LebFest
Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Colburn Park.
Another fantastic Upper Valley festival is Lebanon’s
LebFest, also hosted in September. A celebration of Lebanon’s well-established community, LebFest takes place in Colburn Park and features many vendors, games, and live entertainment. This year, the Mac & Cheese Competition is back! Arts and crafts vendors set up early alongside booths run by local restaurants and shops, inviting residents to sample the best of everything Lebanon has to offer. The Band Stand will feature music from a few different groups. LebFest is an excellent day out where you can mingle with neighbors and enjoy time with family and friends. More than 30 local businesses come out to take part in the festivities.
CHaD Hero Half Marathon
October 9, 2022 | Hanover, NH
Those interested in relocating to Hanover (or anywhere in the Upper Valley for that matter!) can look forward to DHMC’s annual
CHaD Hero Half Marathon. Held every October for nearly 20 years, the CHaD Hero Half Marathon benefits the Dartmouth Health Children’s Hospital—which cares for more than 95,000 children annually.
Photo courtesy of CHaD Hero Half Marathon
Upper Valley locals are encouraged to participate by running the race and volunteering. Runners can take on the half-marathon or opt for the 5K instead—walkers are always welcome, too. CHaD Hero also has a one-mile fun run option for beginners and families with young children. Participants pay a registration fee and help fundraise additional resources for the hospital. Bringing the community together every fall, the CHaD Hero Half Marathon is a fantastic way to get involved and give back.
Hanover Turkey Trot 5K and 10K
In addition to the CHaD Hero Half Marathon, Hanover also puts on a Turkey Trot race each year before Thanksgiving. Gear up for your Thanksgiving Day feast by burning a few extra calories at the Turkey Trot. You can also participate in the event’s food drive to benefit
Upper Valley Haven. The races begin at noon on Dartmouth Green, and participants can walk or run the 5K or the entire 10K course.
Woodstock Art Festival
September 10 & 11, 2022 on the Green in Woodstock, VT
The
Woodstock Art Festival, sponsored by the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce, is a weekend-long event of fine art, music, spirits and food! Over 30 New England artists offer landscapes, portraits, photography and more! Always held on the weekend following Labor Day, Woodstock has become an art-lovers mecca.
Norwich Antiques Show
September 17, 2022
The Norwich Antiques Show is highly anticipated every year! The show is sponsored by the Norwich Historical Society and is one of their major fundraisers each year. The event supports program activities and the work to maintain the Lewis House as a community museum and meeting place.The show will present 16 quality dealers from around the region offering antiques ranging from large pieces to small collectibles. The show is held rain or shine on the lawn under individual dealer tents.
AVA Gallery Fall Exhibitions
September 2 – September 30, 2022.
Three Solo Exhibitions: Margaret Jacobs | Nancy Sepe | Lilian Shen. Artists working in sculpture and photography which regard objects as socially or culturally significant.
October 14 – November 11, 2022.
Three Solo Exhibitions: Nick Lamia | Elizabeth Nelson | Katya Roberts. Artists who work in painting and installation with themes which signify water, landscape, and ecology.
Feast from the Farms
October 8, 2022
A driving and bicycle tour to Norwich’s working valley farms and historic hill farms. A fundraiser for Norwich Historical Society and a chance to support the Vermont Food Bank.
The tour will take you to farm stands and historic hill farms where you can enjoy seeing farm animals, learning about the harvest, and peak inside some barns.
A map, history podcast, and pop-up exhibits of historic photographs at the farms will provide you with stories about Norwich’s agricultural heritage while on your tour. For details
CLICK HERE.
Design by Colin Dockrill, AIGA
Are you searching Upper Valley homes for sale?
The Upper Valley is a community-centric region dedicated to enjoying the outdoors and community service. If you’re interested in relocating to the area, hire a real estate professional who knows the Upper Valley housing market well and can help you find your dream home.
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Reach out to Alan today to learn more about the current inventory of Upper Valley homes for sale.