Celebrate the bounty of the fall season during the 41st annual Harvest Festival at The Farmers’ Museum, taking place Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Since 1978, this event has grown to become a regional favorite, bringing together a wide variety of performers, artisans, and vendors. It offers the perfect blend of new attractions and trusted favorites each year.
Find two days of live performances, music, and family activities. Hear music by the band Gravelyard and others (see website for schedule). Each day, find children’s craft activities in the Festival Tent plus outdoor games. The museum’s Templeton Players perform two short plays: A Case For Eviction, on Saturday, and A Cardiff Medicine Show on Sunday–both guaranteed to captivate audiences of all ages (12:00 p.m. both days).
The ongoing traditions of Harvest Festival contribute to its charm. Musicians Jim Kimball and Karen Canning perform nineteenth-century tunes on the porch at Bump Tavern. Mr. Kimball has added to the festival’s ambiance since the late 1970s. Also part of Harvest Festival history is Dickens the Clown, delighting children and the young at heart for almost 40 years.
Animals always take the spotlight at Harvest Festival. Take a ride through the museum’s grounds in a horse-drawn wagon. Watch a parade of prize-winning animals from the museum’s annual Junior Livestock Show each day at 1:00 p.m., with the Cup winners being showcased on Sunday. Hinman Hollow Sport Training will dazzle you with their agility and obedience demonstrations. Kids enjoy the Children’s Barnyard, the Grow Patch play-and-learn area, and free rides on the Empire State Carousel (sponsored by Matthew Sohns and family).
Head over to Bump Tavern at 11:00 a.m. for a talk on hops and brewing. Then, check out our exhibit, Brew: New York’s Craft Beer Revival. Central New York’s breweries and beer experts share their stories and process in this vibrant and engaging exhibition which features objects, images, and text highlighting the history of New York State brewing, hops, and barley up to the present day.
If you like historical trades, you won’t be disappointed. Many artisans show off their skills each year. Sit for a tintype portrait. Get hands-on with rope making, coopering, and see spinning and fiber art demonstrations. You’ll also find a dulcimer maker, woodworkers, a china painter, bakers, and potters.
The Ag Tent features the Cooperstown Farmer’s Market, Leatherstocking Beekeepers, Council Rock Brewing, Otsego County Maple Producers, Otsego County Dairy Promotion, Pail Shop Winery, Kerrs Creek Distillery, Hessian Hill Farm, Elderberry Herb Farm, and Kingfisher Lavender.
Harvest Festival gives visitors the opportunity to join in and assist our interpreters with the harvesting of potatoes in the field near the museum’s farmstead. Children enjoy additional agricultural activities that include corn shelling and grinding, and apple pressing. The entire family can take part in games and crafts as well.
An abundance of delicious foods from the season’s harvest await festival-goers including roasted corn, sausage, and lamb burgers. You will also find homemade pies, fresh baked goods, and cider slushies.
Get a head-start on your holiday shopping and save 10% on all items in both Todd’s General Store and The Farmers’ Museum Store (excludes sale items). Spend $50 in our museum stores and receive a free Farmers’ Museum branded water bottle or insulated travel mug.
One-day entry to Harvest Festival: $12 adults (13-64), $10.50 seniors (65+), $6 juniors (7-12), children 6 and younger and museum members are free. Purchase tickets in advance at Eventbrite.com or at the museum on the day of the event. Get two great museums for one low price when you purchase a two-way ticket for $20 with Fenimore Art Museum–located just across the street. Two-way tickets can be purchased at the admissions desk of either museum during Harvest Festival.
Walk to the museum from the village of Cooperstown and enter through our convenient South Gate. This pedestrian only entrance is located just up the road from The Otesaga Hotel. The Cooperstown Trolley also makes stops at the museum–visit our website for details.
Harvest Festival is sponsored in part by Five Star Subaru.
