A Grape
Time in
Texas
6
COTTON BELT TRAIL
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the four-day GrapeFest
(
)
in the suburban
Dallas town of Grapevine doesn’t disappoint. It’s the
largest wine festival in the Southwest. e event, which
runs from September 12 to 15, is aptly named, not only
because of its location but also because of the tart mus-
tang grapes that once grew wild in the region. Sample
more than 130 wines in a “People’s Choice” competi-
tion, participate in a public stomping of the purple fruit
or let loose on the carnival rides. Food vendors offer
typical carnival fare (think corn dogs, funnel cakes and
brisket), but wine improves heart health, right? While
in the area, pay homage to a crop of another kind on
the 11-mile Cotton Belt Trail, which follows a rail route
that helped area farming communities thrive in the late
19
th and early 20th centuries. e trail begins a block
west of South Main Street, the festival’s center point.
ng
ASHUELOT RAIL-TRAIL & CHESHIRE RAIL TRAIL
Out to squash a world record? Each year, the Keene,
N.H., Pumpkin Festival (
)
aims to smash the record for displaying the most
illuminated jack-o-lanterns in one place at one
time. Although not the current title holder, the city
is an eight-time champ. Last year, Keene displayed
more than 29,000 pumpkins, including a 45-foot
tower of the glowing orbs at Central Square.
P-Fest, as it’s known locally, will take place
downtown on October 19. Activities include a
children’s costume parade, pumpkin bowling and
a pumpkin dump derby. No less stunning are
the two nearby rail-trails—the Ashuelot and the
Cheshire—which stretch north and south from
Keene through picturesque southwestern New
Hampshire countryside.
LIGHT THE
NIGHT IN
NEW
HAMPSHIRE
G
rails
to
trails
fall.13
PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU