On Oct. 8 and 9, the Boothbay Railway Village, along with the Boothbay Information Center, will host a true New England Craft Fair. More than 100 artists and makers of fine art, crafts and homemade items will be center stage on the Village Green surrounded by the historic buildings and structures of the Boothbay Railway Village. Rides on the narrow gauge steam train and the opportunity for guests to explore exhibits detailing Maine’s railroad heritage, interpreting village life, and displaying more than 60 antique automobiles set this event apart.

The Fall Foliage Festival is just one stop along Maine’s Pumpkin Trail, a new partnership celebrating history, art and giant fruit along 50 miles of Maine’s most beautiful coastline from Bath to Rockland. Pumpkin-themed activities are taking place at the Maine Maritime Museum, Farnsworth Art Museum and Boothbay Railway Village as well as the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta. Follow Maine’s Pumpkin Trail on Facebook to discover great ways to celebrate fall with friends and family of all ages.

The Museum has again grown two Atlantic giant pumpkins this season and both will be carved live throughout the day on Saturday, Oct. 8 by artist Thomas Block of Boothbay Harbor. Block is the beloved illustrator of many Maine children’s books including "Togus" by Don Carrigan, "Bear Moonlight Sonata" by Stephen Powell, and the newly released "White Belt Society" by Paige Pendleton.

Another pumpkin-themed event is the opportunity for the public to enter pumpkin carving contests scheduled to occur on Sunday, Oct. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. There are three categories: children, adults and professional artists. Prizes will be awarded in all categories. Entering the pumpkin carving contest is just a $5 fee and includes a pass for free admission to the Festival, a steam train ticket, and your pumpkin to carve and take home. Registration forms are available on the event page on the Museum’s website. Contestants can register in advance or at the door until all pumpkins have been spoken for. Some tools are provided but serious contestants might want to bring their favorite tools from home. Electric will even be available for those who might want to bring drills, Dremels and other power tools (bring your own extension cord too!)

Master Blacksmith Sam Smith of the Portland Forge will be working in the Museum’s blacksmith shop on both days of the Festival. Maine Author’s Publishing will also be presenting a full schedule of meet & greets with authors and illustrators of some fabulous books which you can purchase and have signed.

Many area non-profits have booths this year to promote their programs and services or to raise funds. The Historical Society is bringing back the cheese sale to the Festival after a long hiatus and you’ll also be able to bring the kids to the booths sponsored by the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and Boothbay Sea & Science Center for special hands-on activities.

Foodies will not be disappointed in the Festival’s culinary offerings. The famous chowder cooked up by the Boothbay Region Lions Club will be back along with wood-fired pizza, lobster rolls, hot dogs, crab cakes, pulled pork, hot cider, fudge, ice cream, homemade pies, specialty teas and much more. There are so many food vendors this year that a second food court area between the Town Hall and Chapel has been added.

The live music schedule features local favorites The Junction 27 Band, The Boothbay Community Band, Kaity Newell and the Oyster Creek Fiddlers, The Space Heaters and Amber, Pip and Paul.

On Saturday, the festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, children under 12 and Boothbay Railway Village Museum Members are free. Steam train tickets are an additional $5 each (free for Museum Members.) Parking is free both in the Museum’s main parking lots and the special event parking lot across Route 27 next to T & D Variety.

Contact the Boothbay Railway Village for more information at (207) 633-4727, or online at www.railwayvillage.org. The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay, Maine.