Fall Fest takes place in Bemus Point this Friday through Sunday. Submitted photo

The return of school and football also means a host of fall festivals coming up.

Local festivals include Forestville’s Septemberfest, the Bemus Point Fall Fest, the Busti Apple Festival, the Fall Fest at the Peek’n Peak and Panama Rock’s Foliage Festival, among others.

The season kicked off with Septemberfest, held in Forestville this past weekend.

“This year is our 40th annual Septemberfest, and it’s a weekend full of fun for the whole family,” said Errika Gonzalez, part of the marketing and graphics team for Merritt Estate Winery that put on the festival.

Fall Fest will be held in Bemus Point this Friday through Sunday.

“It’s the perfect way to kick off the fall season in our beautiful lakeside village,” said Kelley Marker, executive director of the Bemus Point Business Association. “Our Fall Fest is special because it’s all about our small businesses. This event is sponsored by the Bemus Point Business Association, which has 50 members — all small businesses and nonprofits in Bemus Point. Many of them are planning fun fall themed events, specials, and discounts for the weekend.”

Across Bemus Point, local small businesses and restaurants will take part in the festivities.

“Many of our local shops will be participating in Draw-a-Leaf Discount sales, restaurants will have delicious fall themed food,” Marker said. “The Musky Mall is hosting a petting zoo and face painting for the kids, and much more. The Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House is also having their annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In on Saturday the 17th, with a Mike’s famous chicken barbecue.”

The Lawson Center and Bemus Point Historical Society will host open houses Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and visitors will be able to ride the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry during its last weekend open for the season.

There also will be a street market all three days of the festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We’ve added more vendors to our street market this year. There’s something for everyone,” Marker said.

Meanwhile, the annual Busti Apple Festival will take place Sunday, Sept. 25.

“The Busti Apple Harvest Festival is one of, if not, the longest running fall festival in the region,” said Linnea Carlson, membership chair of the Busti Historical Society. “As such, we have worked hard to create an event for everyone: history buffs, families, crafters and, of course, lovers of local apples and apple cider. We hope all can join us on the last Sunday in September for local vendors, tours of the grist mill, our farmers market and more.”

At Peek’n Peak in Clymer, the annual Fall Fest will be held Oct 8, 9, 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

“We are so excited for our 34th annual Fall Festival here at Peek ‘n Peak,” said Kristi Kahle, director of food and beverage said. “Our teams are working around the clock preparing for two action packed Fall themed weekends here at the Resort. We have over 100 vendors, live entertainment, pony rides, ski lift rides, children’s games in the Kids Zone, the famous pumpkin cannon, dog shows, a classic car show Sunday Oct 9th, Fall Fest Brunch in the Bistro on Sunday Oct 16 and the Snowsports Equipment SKi Swap all four days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

Other activities include food vendors, golf, and the Adventure Park.

“We have 12 tents featuring fun festival foods, a donut, wine and cider bar and our huge outdoor beer tent featuring local fall craft beers,” Kahle said.

The Fall Foliage Festival is returning to Panama Rocks on Oct 22 and 23 for the first time in 20 years.

“We’re very excited because this is something we did in the 1980s and ’90s, so it’s been over 20 years and this is the first time we’re bringing it back,” said Jonathan Weston, owner and director of Panama Rocks. “We are having an arts and crafts show that includes a wide variety of vendors. We are still accepting vendors for that. There will be food vendors, glass blowing, spinning, chainsaw carving, and different kinds of quilting.”

Artists at the festival who will be doing demonstrations will also be holding a 50/50 raffle where at least half of what they earn will be donated to a charity of their choice. There will also be a showing of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on that Saturday night.