Fall sure is in full swing and with many people enjoying a 3-day weekend the weather is all set to cooperate.  There is a wide variety of fun things going on this weekend and I'm sure leaf peeping is at the top of the list for many people.  The weather is especially perfect for getting lost in a corn maze at either Critz Farms or Golub's Our Farm.  Here are your top five best bets for this weekend:
1. Start out at Golub's Our Farm and pick out the perfect pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern out of.  You might even find one with your name on it!  Then after spending the afternoon at Golub's take those pumpkins home and hold a carving party.  Our Farm is open all three days this weekend from 1-5.
2. Enjoy a sweet glass of Cider at the Harvest Moon Cider Mill at Critz Farms in Cazenovia.  They are open all weekend including Monday.  Enjoy the 10-acre Udderly Cornfusing Corn Maze while you are there.
3. Take a stroll along the Chenango Canal Tow Path in Bouckville.  The great folks at the Chenango Canal Museum have lit the towpath for the month of October and this weekend mild weather and cool evenings will make for the perfect fall stroll.
4. Get the heck scared out of you.  It is weekend #2 for High Esteem's Creepy Camp.  You can find this camp of horrors along Route 13 between Cazenovia and Chittenango. 
5. Find a little culture and enjoy a concert.  Enjoy Conductor Marietta Cheng as she leads Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor. New York Times states, "richly mellow tone, vivid colorings and romantic flair..."  Kind of like fall in Madison County.  The concert is at the chapel on the grounds of Colgate University this Sunday.

 
 

Temperatures in the 70's and bright sunshine.  That, in a nutshell, is your Columbus Day forecast for Central New York.  It makes for the perfect weekend to take in the fall colors.  Gas prices have come down more than $1 a gallon and that makes it affordable to cruise along the highways and by-ways of Madison County.  The leaves are reaching their peak this weekend and there are a lot of deep oranges, reds and yellows covering the hillsides.  Some of the best places to take in the foliage include the village of Cazenovia along the lake, the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota and in the village of Hamilton.  Photo opportunities abound this weekend and we want to see your photos.  Send them to newsletter@madisontourism.com and we will post them in a photo show right here at the blog.  Have a great weekend.

 
 

Agritourism takes center stage in Madison County this weekend with cider, corn mazes, pumpkin chucking catapults and corn cannons.  The weather sure feels like fall and this weekend will be the perfect opportunity to celebrate the best season in Central New York.  There are several great agritourism events this weekend and some other fun ideas to pass the time.  Don't forget to check out all the great October events when planning you weekend.
1. Get lost in the Stratocaster Corn Maze (pictured) at Golub's Our Farm.  The Golub family has been working hard all summer to create their unique maze and grow their awesome pumpkins.  They are open weekends from 1-5 at their farm on Peth Road in Manlius. 
2. Learn how to shoot a corn cannon at Wolf Oak Acres near Oneida. Their fall weekend festivals continue this weekend. 
3. There is nothing better in my opinon than aged New York State Cheddar along with a slice of apple crisp.  Wash it all down with a glass of ice cold cider.  The Harvest Moon Cider Mill at Critz Farms will be pressing cider all weekend long, so stop in a pick up a gallon. 
4. It's the largest and creepiest attraction in Central New York.  Creepy Camp opens on Friday for the Halloween season.  This is not for the faint of heart!  Creepy Camp can be found along Route 13 between Chittenango and Cazenovia.
5. Lorenzo State Historic Site hosts the Rippleton School House Community Day on Sunday.  Join 1880s schoolmarm Mattie Buckland as she opens her classroom during “Community Day” from 1 to 4 p.m.,The day’s festivities will include live music, square dancing, old-fashioned games, the creation of historic toys such as thaumotropes and wizzers, decorating pumpkins, wagon rides, a side saddle demonstration and cider and donuts. The Rippleton Schoolhouse is located at Lorenzo State Historic Site, south of the village of Cazenovia along Route 13.

 
 
 
 

The fall colors have kicked into high gear and the hillsides could not be more impressive with color.  While not yet at peak color the oranges, reds and yellows are about half way to peak.  The trees that are still green are adding an even better dimension to the leaf peeping opportunities.  As you can see here, Post Standard photographer Mike Greenlar captured the brilliance on syracuse.com earlier this week.  The best spots to take in the foliage this weekend include the Brookfield State Forest, Stoney Pond State Forest and Chittenango Falls State Park.  We can't wait to see the colors change even further, and we can't wait to see the pictures you come up with.  Email us your fall foliage pictures and we will post them in a slide show right here.