Oct. 15 & 16: Sturbridge Harvest Festival

The 22nd Annual Harvest Festival on the Sturbridge Town Common and grounds of the Publick House Historic Inn is a family fun tradition. The event includes countless local crafters, artisans, specialty food vendors and farm fresh harvests. The Publick House's Scarecrow Contest is a perennial favorite. Enter your scarecrow for a chance to win incredible cash prizes. Scarecrow set-up is from Friday, September 23 through Monday, October 3 this year. Visit The Publick House online (www.publickhouse.com) for more details and the complete Scarecrow Contest rules.

Harrington Is Major Sponsor: The 22nd Annual Harvest Festival is made possible, in part, by our generous sponsor, Harrington HealthCare System - your go-to place for TOTAL LOCAL CARE. Visit Harrington online at www.harringtonhospital.com.

Returning Fest Favorites: On Saturday, savor seasonal sensations from the region’s non-profit organizations in the big tent and learn more about the vital services they provide for us and our neighbors. On Sunday, The Chefs of the Community take over the big tent offering their specialties and more delectable tastes of the fall season. Festival hours are 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sunday.

New to the Fest this year!

Contestants needed! Check out the rules and register ahead of time!

Deadline to register is October 1!

Are you a “Local Idol?” If you can carry a tune and want a chance to impress a crowd, our first-ever “Local Idol” talent contest is just for you! Saturday afternoon will feature homegrown talent performing and competing in an “American Idol-esque” singing contest. Our panel of celebrity judges will crown a “Local Idol” and the winner will receive a free professionally recorded demo courtesy of Bill Ryan, Jr. and RMI AV Services. Registration forms will be available on this page soon or can be picked up in person at the Chamber office. There’s no fee to enter the contest so what’s stopping you? Come out and show us what you can do! Thanks to Bill Ryan, Jr. of RMI AV Services and Brian Kearsley of JoyCo for orchestrating our Local Idol Contest.

Round 1 Song choices for "Local Idol": Ladies choose from “Man, I Feel Like A Woman” (Shania Twain) or “The First Cut Is The Deepest” (Sheryl Crow) for your Round 1 song. Guys choose from “You Were Always On My Mind” (Willie Nelson) or “Wonderful Tonight” (Eric Clapton) for your Round 1 song. Later round songs are your choice! Register by October 1 (use the link above) to be part of the fun!

Calling all bakers! Sunday afternoon will feature another new Harvest Festival event that we think will be pretty sweet! Do you make a crust that they crave? Is your filling simply fabulous? Think your apple pie is the best? Here’s your chance to prove it by entering our very first Apple Pie Contest. Entries will be judged on overall appearance, crust, color, flavor, texture and creativity. There is no fee to enter the Apple Pie Contest so brush off your favorite recipe and go for the blue ribbon! Winning pies will be eaten with gusto and a press release with photos and recipes will be submitted to the local papers! The winning baker will also receive a $100 Gift Certificate to Publick House courtesy of the Publick House Historic Inn! You must pre-register to participate.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage… On Sunday from 11:00am to 4:00pm, the Harvest Festival bandstand will feature an Open Mic Blues Jam with local talent strutting their stuff for a joyous festival crowd! Would you like to perform for your neighbors, friends and fellow Fest’ers? Pre-register to reserve your slot then practice, practice… until it’s time to grab the mic and showcase your talent! Thanks to Bill Ryan, Jr. of RMI AV Services and Johnny Wheeler of New Pilot for their support in bringing this Blues Jam to reality!

Magic Al the Magician "Abra-cadabra!" On Saturday from 2 to 4pm, experience an amazing magic show by Magic Al at the Harrington Hospital tent. Will you be able to believe your eyes as you witness incredible magic tricks? Hilarious and entertaining for kids of all ages!

Teddy Bear Clinic On Sunday from 11am to 3pm, Harrington Hospital will be holding a clinic for your Teddy Bear! Kids, bring your stuffed friends for a checkup. Is your Teddy Bear feeling under the weather? You can have a cast put on your bear and you and your friends can sign it!

ENJOY a Seated Chair Massage Stop by the Harrington Hospital tent from 10:30am to 5pm on Saturday!

Horse drawn trolley rides, fun games and activities for kids, a Teddy Bear Clinic, cool crafts and fabulous food from a great mix of vendors, live music, spooky scarecrows and much more make this a true cornucopia of great fall family entertainment!