Enjoy all of the fall events that make autumn in Upstate New York so much fun! The Critz Farms Fall Harvest Celebration features apple and pumpkin picking, special events and festival entertainment take place each weekend that will appeal to old and young alike.
CHARLTON, N.Y. — It’s a brave new world at dozens of fall agritourism destinations this year.
Many activities enjoyed by people of all ages have been canceled and guests who turn out must adapt to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, which pose costly new challenges for farm owners.
“We’re just happy to be able to open,” Garth Ellms said. “We’ll have about 10 people dedicated to cleaning and sanitizing. They’ll be sanitizing the farm throughout the day, every day, and we’ll obviously be promoting social distancing. Masks will be required 100% of the time.”
The Christmas Spirit Foundation will be operating the Trees for Troops program for the 16th year in a row in 2020, although some aspects of the program may be different. To date, the program has provided almost a quarter million free, fresh Christmas trees to US military personnel and their families stationed both domestically and abroad.
New York does a fantastic job of coordinating the delivery of those trees. We have made a difference in so many lives by bringing that fresh evergreen tree to them at Christmastime. Thank you for you support of this project. We will need it again this year.
We have already talked with many of you and know you are on board again.
Please let us know:
Don’t forget to use collection jars by your cash register – it works. We still have some new posters available and more collection jars if needed. You can contact us if you need more posters or collection jars.
The Christmas Spirit Foundation has canvassed the bases, and they are looking for 18,000+ trees this year. We can do this to support military families in a particularly challenging year. Please let us know by October 15 the approximate number of trees from your collection and/or pickup point.
– Dick and Mary Ellen Darling
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — In the age of coronavirus, Halloween 2020 is looking especially scary for local farms that depend on a surge of harvest time agritourism. Across the region, familiar Halloween activities on the farm have been called off.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new state guidance for agritourism businesses as New York State enters the Fall season. The businesses, which include corn mazes, pick-your-own fruit and vegetable operations, hayrides and haunted houses, are considered low-risk outdoor arts and entertainment and are permitted to operate under New York’s NY Forward guidance. New Yorkers can also visit the State’s farmers’ markets and craft beverage trails, which have remained open under State guidance, supporting agriculture and tourism in the state.