For at least 135 years, fall in New Hampshire means gathering at the fairgrounds  to celebrate and sample the fall harvest and covet thy neighbor’s oxen. That tradition is carried on by the Deerfield and Rochester fairs, but also echoed in the other community celebrations taking place around the Seacoast this fall.

Rochester Fair, Friday, Sept. 16-Sunday, Sept. 25
www.rochesterfair.com
What could you find at the fair when it started 137 years ago? That would be an interesting question to contemplate as you watch the School Bus Derby on opening day, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. The nine-day, 52-acre affair also features live music, Circus Hollywood under the big top, agricultural exhibits, special grandstand events, harness racing, “Hollywood Racing Pigs” and more. The fair takes place Friday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 23, at Cold Spring Park, 72 Lafayette St. in Rochester. Admission is $12, and includes all rides. For more information, call 603-332-6585.

Newmarket Heritage Festival, Saturday, Sept. 22
www.heritage-festival.org
Nicknamed “the Seacoast’s favorite international block party,” the annual event honors the town’s rich diversity of tradition, past and present. Multicultural music and dance includes African drumming, Polish accordian tunes, Indian and Irish dancing, a Bavarian oompah band, a Ceili dance workshop, and folk, jazz and barbershop music. Meanwhile, there will also be sidewalk art,  artisan demonstrations, kayaking and boat tours,  medieval sword fighting, participatory arts projects, creative children’s activities, fine arts and crafts, international food and more. The festival runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 6.  The Harvest Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. at Newmarket Community Church is a suggested donation of $8 adults, $4 children, $20 family cap. Downtown Newmarket, most venues accessible to wheelchairs. For more information, call 603-659-5588.

Eliot Festival Days, Saturday, Sept. 28 and 29
www.eliot5kandfestival.com
Eliot residents invite everyone to celebrate their large and lively community. There will be full of a variety of crafters, food vendors and entertainment, including a pancake breakfast, parade and road race, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, with most events taking place along State Road in the center of Eliot, Maine. The weekend starts with a chili cook-off and fireworks at the Eliot Boat Basin on Friday night. For more information, call 207-748-3145.

Deerfield Fair, Thursday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 30
www.deerfieldfair.com
The younger sibling of the Rochester Fair, at 136 years old, the classic Deerfield Fair includes horse shows and pulling, animal judging, live bands, kids’ shows, antique tractor pull, cloggers, 4-H exhibits, Miss Deerfield Fair and more. General admission is $10, free for ages 12 and under, and includes parking. Discounts for seniors on Thursday and Friday, or for buying tickets online. The fair is at 34 Stage Road, Deerfield, 603-436-7421.

Rochester October Festival, Saturday, Oct. 6
www.rochestermainstreet.org
Children and families enjoy picking pumpkins for painting in the “Punkin Patch” and socializing with cider in Central Square. This year’s event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Hanson Street, Central Square, and Factory Court in downtown Rochester. The celebration will continue with a Downtown Art Stroll from 5 to 7 p.m. and a special benefit performance by Super Secret Project (creators of the famed “Granite State of Mind” and more) at the Rochester Opera House at 8 p.m.

NH Fall Festival at Strawbery Banke Museum, Saturday, Oct. 13
www.strawberybanke.org
Experience a traditional New England country fair complete with demonstrations from crafts-people, heritage breed and farm animal exhibits, farm animal and livestock demonstrations, special autumn activities in the Children’s Garden, presentations on heirloom seeds, canning and food preservation talks, fiber arts, demonstrations and exhibits on historic crafts and industries, coopering, harvest-themed crafts in the Family Discovery Center, garden tours and demonstrations. Takes place back-to-back with the Prescott Park Arts Festival Chili Cook-Off, including beer samplings from Redhook Brewery.  Takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission includes both events, $15 for adults, $6 for youths 12 and under, free for members, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth. For more information, call 603-433-1100.

York Oktoberfest, Oct. 1-14
www.gatewaytomaine.org
The folks in York throw a season of parties around the southern Maine coast. Artfest includes open studios, galleries and museums, Sept. 29 and 30. Antiquefest includes special events and offers from dealers, Sept. 29 through Oct. 7. Salefest at Short Sands Beach means shops move their stores to the sidewalks for end-of-season sales Oct. 6-8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And everyone gets together for the 28th annual Harvestfest and Kidsfest Oct. 13 and 14. There will be live bands, craft fair, pow-wow, kids’ activities, an ox roast and nonstop entertainment in York Village Square. There’ll also be a corn toss, old-fashioned marketplace and pumpkin stroll. Harvestfest vents take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce at 207-363-4422.

Exeter Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 20
www.exeterarea.org
The free fall tradition features local crafters, vendors and street entertainment, including pumpkin bowling. New this year: Alongside the free festival will be the Exeter Powder Keg Beer & Chili Fest, featuring well-known New England breweries. Tickets for the event are $25, which includes a Exeter Powder Keg Beer & Chili Fest souvenir tasting glass, eight beer sample tickets, five chili sample tickets and live entertainment. Additional sampling and designated-driver tickets will be available for purchase the day of the festival. The events are hosted by the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce and Exeter Parks and Recreation. For more information, call the chamber at 603-772-2411.