A harvest of fall festivals in Modesto

We all know what the calendar says, but does it truly feel like fall in the region until October rolls around?

October is when the weather has a chance to cool for the season, the leaves actually start turning and community festivals take on a real fall feel.

Some of the region’s biggest events will arrive with the new month – events such as the International Heritage Festival in Modesto, the All Hallows Fantasy Faire in Sonora and the Riverbank Cheese and Wine Expo.

The month also marks the return of the Northern California Women’s Music Festival, complete with bigger names to help celebrate its second year. Here’s a look at some of the larger events going on in the Modesto region and Mother Lode for October:

International Heritage Festival – Oct. 3: Family event showcases the many cultures of the area through music and dance, with a parade of flags, activities for kids, cultural booths, food booths. Modesto Junior College East Campus, 435 College Ave. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. www.internationalfestivalmodesto.org.

Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Faire – Oct. 3: Celebrate the harvest and wine industry of Calaveras County by stomping grapes, or watching others do so as they compete for prizes. Gold Rush Street Faire has vendors, arts and crafts, antiques, collectibles and food. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Murphys Park. www.calaverasgrapestomp.com.

Sonora Bach Festival – Oct. 4-25: A lineup of concerts over four weekends for lovers of baroque and classical music. Highlights include a Youth Concert on Oct. 4, Salon Concert on Oct. 10 with artist Ric Campero, Locals Concert on Oct. 18 and the Bach’s Brunch on Oct. 25. Locations, ticket prices and times vary. Details at www.sonorabach.org.

Riverbank Cheese & Wine Exposition – Oct. 10-11: The city of Riverbank presents the 40th annual festival with multiple wine tasting sessions each day. Also, craft beer and cheese tastings, arts and crafts vendors, musical entertainment. Sante Fe and Third streets, downtown Riverbank. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free expo; wine tasting prices $20 advance, $30 at the door. www.riverbankcheeseandwine.org.

Harvest Festifall – Oct. 10-11: More than 50 vendors dressed in 1850s attire display handmade arts and crafts for sale, including pottery, jewelry, apparel, home decor, wood furniture, baked goods. Demonstrations of spinning and weaving by the Mother Lode Weavers & Spinners, children’s activities and more. Columbia State Historic Park. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 209-536-1672 or www.columbiacalifornia.com.

Harvest Festival – Oct. 17: Pumpkin patch, pumpkin-decorating contest, pumpkin carving, kettle corn, live local music, food, craft fair, pie-eating contest, chef demos, classic-car show. 10th Street, downtown Modesto. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. 209-529-9303.

Modesto Women’s Expo – Oct. 18: Speakers include Caterina Rando, Cathy Alessandra and Lisa Cole. Local speakers also planned along with exhibits, beauty and health services, demonstrations, fashion shows and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Modesto Centre Plaza, 1000 L St. $15. www.modestowomensexpo.com.

Garden and Craft Faire – Oct. 24: Vendors selling pottery, jewelry, wood and metal decor, botanicals, decorative gourds, fine art, photography, garden art, more. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, Angels Camp. www.calaverascountygardenclub.org.

All Hallows Fantasy Faire – Oct. 24-25: The All Hallows Fantasy Faire Strikes Back celebrates “Star Wars.” Noon to midnight Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora. $12 advance; $16 gate adults Saturday; $15 adult Sunday; $5 kids 6-12. 800-446-1333. www.allhallowsfaire.com.

Northern California Women’s Music Festival – Oct. 23-24: Rockers Lita Ford and Tracy Bonham perform at this second annual event. The lineup also includes Megan Slankard, Barbara Dane, The DollyRots and Go Betty Go. 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 23; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 24. Various downtown Modesto venues. $15-$55. www.northerncaliforniawomensmusicfestival.com.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 11:52 AM with the headline "A harvest of fall festivals in Modesto."