Save the Dates: Fun Stuff for Families This Fall 

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• Courtesy of Vermont Corn Maze
• Great Vermont Corn Maze

Escape the Maize

Through October 10

Nothing like a 24-acre corn maze to bring a family together. Intrepid explorers must gather their loved ones and their wits if they dare to tackle the Great Vermont Corn Maze, New England's largest labyrinth. If you're not up for a three-hour hike, the scenic maze is always an option, as is the Pretendin Play Village, which features friendly goats, barnyard golf and a hay castle.

Through Monday, October 10, at the Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville. $10-20. Info, 397-8574, vermontcornmaze.com.

Allium in the Family

September 3

It's the best stinkin' time of the year when Garlic Town, USA, formerly known as the Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival, returns to downtown Bennington. With live music, kids' activities, a beer and cocktail garden for the grown-ups (garlic margarita, anyone?), and vendors selling everything from garlic ice cream to deep-fried garlic pickles, there's something for every taste.

Saturday, September 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in downtown Bennington. $5-30. Info, 447-3311, garlictownusa.com

Blast From the Past

September 17 & 18

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• Courtesy of Dave Jordan
• Vermont Living History

History buffs of all ages travel back in time at the Vermont Living History Expo at Essex Junction's Champlain Valley Exposition. Using props, costumes and even historical vehicles, reenactors evoke medieval knights, American revolutionaries, World War II soldiers and everything in between. It's a hands-on way to learn about times gone by.

Saturday, September 17, and Sunday, September 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction. $5-30; free for kids under 6. Info, 778-9178, vtgatherings.com.

War of the Gourds

September 25

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• Courtesy of Vermont Gatherings
• Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival

Start building your trebuchets now: The Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival is back. Competitors use homemade catapults to see who can hurl a squash the farthest across Stowe's Mayo Farm Event Fields. Meanwhile, a more peaceful but no less ruthless chili cook-off keeps spectators fed, and musicians House Dunn and John Smyth provide a live soundtrack to the pumpkin party.

Sunday, September 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Mayo Farm Event Fields in Stowe. $10; free for kids 4 and under. Info, 603-630-4800, vtpumpkinchuckin.blogspot.com.

Roasty Toasty

August 18-October 7

If a sweet tooth runs in your family, get your toasting sticks ready: Derby's hilltop floral farm, Lavender Essentials of Vermont, presents evening Marshmallow Roasts so you can snack by sunset with the scent of lavender on the breeze. Kids' first package of marshmallows is free, s'mores supplies are provided, and additional 'mallows are available for purchase.

Thursdays, August 18 through September 8, and Fridays, September 23 through October 7, 6-8 p.m., at Lavender Essentials of Vermont in Derby. Free; preregister. Info, 323-3590, lavender-essentials.com.

Leaf Encounters

October 7-9

Vermont in the fall is a work of art all on its own, but why not help it along? The Stowe Foliage Arts Festival does just that, gathering more than 150 artists and artisans at Topnotch Field for three days of programming for the creative kid in all of us. There's also music, gourmet food, local beer and wine, and live craft demonstrations.

Friday, October 7, through Sunday, October 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Topnotch Field, Topnotch Resort in Stowe. $10; free for kids. Info, 316-5019, stoweartsfest.com.

Tricks and Treats

October 23

Woodstock's Billings Farm & Museum gets in the spooky — but not too spooky — spirit with A Family Halloween. A costume parade, hayrides, candy stations, a pumpkin carving contest and seasonal stories make for a freaky festival that folks and farm animals of every age can enjoy.

Sunday, October 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock. Regular admission, $8-17; free for members and kids in costume. Info, 457-2355, billingsfarm.org.