This warm October weather is certainly unusual, but when you live on the East Coast, you expect Mother Nature to abide by her own rules. Remember the one year it snowed near the week of Halloween?
Despite the wonky temperatures we have experienced in 2016, the harvest season for local wineries has been great. Many vineyards are harvesting the last of their grapes, and some wineries are preparing for their annual harvest dinners. Besides visiting the wineries, you can also check out two “restaurant weeks,” a fall festival, and a hoppy beerfest. And don’t forget to pick your pumpkins before they’re all gone!
Events are listed in chronological order
1. Northampton Restaurant Weeks
Thursday, October 20 through Sunday, October 29, Northampton Township, PA
Northampton Township Restaurant weeks continue today, Thursday, October 20, until Saturday, October 29. This is the first year Northampton Township is partnering with local restaurants for a restaurant week. Locals and visitors can taste Northampton by exploring Holland and Churchville restaurants up until October 22. Following that week, people can check out dining spots in Richboro and Ivyland.
Diners can choose from the new Jake’s Pub, Dom’s Lounge, 59 Almshouse Grill, El Barrio, Spring Mill, The Churchville Inn, Uva, Taormina’s, Tony’s Place, Jersey’s Tomato Pie Bistro and Guiseppe’s.
Reservations or call-ahead seating during restaurant weeks is recommended. Special menu pricing and prix fixe may be offered for either lunch or dinner. Click here for menus and participating restaurants.
2. Wine & Food Pairing at Rising Sun Inn
Thursday, October 20, 6:30 pm, Rising Sun Inn, 898 Allentown Rd., Telford, PA
Come taste new red wines and enjoy a nice meal, too. This Thursday, October 20, the Rising Sun Inn is hosting another wine and food pairing event. Randy Uhler, wine expert from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, has chosen four newly released red wines, and Chef Fred from the inn will prepare four small plates to complement them. The dinner is a four-course meal for $49 per person. Since the event is tonight, call 215.721.6350 for tickets. Or, email the inn at risingsuninn@comcast.net.
3. Ottsville Fall Festival & Season Finale
Saturday, October 22, 10 am – 4 pm, Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd., Ottsville, PA
Jerry Fritz, owner of Linden Hill Gardens in Ottsville, is hosting a fall festival on Saturday, October 22 in the stone barn at his retail nursery. The event will feature locally crafted seasonal gifts and treats from 20 talented artisans from 10 am – 4 pm. Vendors will have items like jams, pickles, pastries, hot apple cider, truffles, hot cocoa mixes, herb gardens and seasonal plants, all-natural products, vintage jewelry and even condiments for grilling. See who will be in attendance here.
4. 3rd Annual Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest
Saturday, October 22, 12 – 2 pm, Quakertown Farmers Market, 201 Station Rd., Quakertown, PA
Oh my, it’s time for pumpkin pie! Head to the rear aisle in front of the Secret Ingredient Bakery (#245) booth at the Quakertown Farmers Market and check out this annual pumpkin pie eating contest. Interested in joining in on the fun? Entrants must be 18 years or older to participate. You might want to bring an extra t-shirt to change into, just in case things get a little messy. There is a twist for this contest: Contestants cannot use their hands while eating. The event will award the winner $100 in cash. The farmers market is open from 12 – 2 pm.
5. Hoppy Halloween 3
Saturday, October 22, 5 – 9 pm, Broken Goblet Brewery, 1500 Grundy Lane, Bristol, PA
Broken Goblet Brewing in Bristol, PA is hosting a Hoppy Halloween 3 beer fest, celebrating some of the best libations available in Bucks County and surrounding areas. Costumes are encouraged for both patrons and pourers, and prizes will be given out to the best couple, best individual and best brewery costumes.
This is a rain or shine event. No early bird tickets are left, so check the website to purchase week-of tickets for $35. General admission begins at 5 pm. Participating breweries include: Round Guys, Neshaminy Creek, Yards, Triumph, Manayunk, Doylestown, and more.
Beer always pairs well with food! Check out the Jays Steak and Hoagie truck, Dog and Bull Mobile, and the WTF Food truck. Check out Broken Goblet Brewery’s Facebook page for more information.
6. Harvest Winemaker’s Dinner
Saturday, October 22, 7 – 9 pm, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Rd., Washington Crossing, PA
Fall in Pennsylvania is harvest season for local wineries. Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Bucks County invites you to join them in toasting to another successful harvest on Saturday, October 2 starting at 7 pm at its Annual Harvest Winemaker’s Dinner.
Hear winemaker Tom Carroll, Jr.’s thoughts on the 2016 growing season and enjoy a five-course menu of American seasonal favorites paired with Crossing Vineyards’ wines. Tickets cost $89 per person and reservations are required. Call 215.493.6500 for more information.
7. Spiritfest Expo & Holistic Fair
Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, 10 am – 6 pm, Event Center by Cornerstone, 46 North Sugan Rd., New Hope, PA
The Society for Metaphysical Enlightenment invites you to tune up your body, mind, and spirit (and even your stomachs) to experience the love of a higher consciousness at the 2nd annual Solstice Expo and Holistic Fair.
At the fair, there will be guest speakers every hour, holistic practitioners, aromatherapists, energy healers, mind/body therapists and massage and stress management therapists. The food is as unique as the practitioners, so check out the new age beverages and products, and a “natural” food court. Admission is $7 per person.
8. Final Harvest at Wycombe Vineyards
Sunday, October 23, 9 am – 1 pm, Wycombe Vineyards & Winery, 1391 Forest Grove Rd., Furlong, PA
Wycombe Vineyards needs you for its final harvest! This weekend, they need wine grape pickers to harvest the fruit for the season. Pickers will get a free glass of wine and lunch. Please arrive on time, dress for the outdoors, and bring the following: kitchen scissors or shears, garden gloves, your own lawn chair, sun protective hat, and sunscreen. Also: Beware of bees and yellow jackets! If you’re allergic it’s wise if you don’t pick, since the bees love the grapes this time of year. Please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne. Save your spot online here.
9. Garden Highlights and Beer Brewing Demonstration
Sunday, October 23, 1 – 4 pm, Pennsbury Manor, 400 Pennsbury Memorial Rd., Morrisville, PA
This Sunday, meet the gardeners of Pennsbury Manor and talk about the recent harvest, seed saving, and what preparations are already taking place to ready the garden for winter and the following spring. Make sure to stop by the Kitchen House where the brewers will be making a winter stout. Call 215.946.0400 for more information.
10. Roast Beef Dinner
Saturday, October 22, Stockton Fire Company, 9 Mill Street, Stockton, NJ
Does the thought of slow-cooked roast beef make your mouth water? Then head to the Stockton Fire Company for a dinner fit for the whole family. The roast beef dinner cost $14 for adults, $6 for children ages six to 10, and the dinner is free for children under five.
11. Newtown Restaurant Week
Sunday, October 23 through October 27, Newtown, PA
Newtown Borough has a variety of eateries, everything from beers and burgers to pizza shops and cafés. That’s why the town wants to show off some of its food with the Newtown Restaurant Week, starting on Sunday, October 23 until Thursday, October 27. Participating restaurants include Becky’s Café, Florentino’s Restaurant, Mom-Mom’s Pizza, the Brick Hotel, Café Con Leche, the Temperance House, and the World of Falafel. For more information, click here.
None of these strike your fancy? You can always check our Food Events in Bucks County calendar 7 days a week, 24 hours a day here.
Have a great weekend!
Want to know what’s happening in Hunterdon 
County? See our Food Events in Hunterdon County calendar.
