We had a blustery start to Autumn this weekend, gray clouds, wind blowing leave off the trees, and rain showers. Still we decided to take a walk and risk getting wet to check out the Harvest Music Festival downtown Corning.

Each year to kicks off the fall season the Riverfront Centennial Park hosts a Jazz/Music and Harvest festival. Friday night festivities include beer and wine tasting and headlining Jazz concerts.  Saturday includes a farmer’s market with food and craft vendors, a carnival,  street entertainment,  and of course more music artists.

We decided to enjoy a few early trees turned to bright fall foliage on our walk and settle our curiosity of how the festival was going in the rainy weather. With a recyclable grocery bag in hand, with hopes of buying some local produce we walked downtown.

Walking down Market street we saw some of the local business had scarecrows on display. Many local business as part of the festival decorate a scarecrow and enter it into a competition. There were not many out in the open-some were in storefront windows where they’d be sheltered from the rain. As we came to Centerway Square we noticed the park looked empty.

Because of the weather they had moved all activities into the first floor of the parking garage. This also meant there was no carnival and limited food trucks or vendors in the rain.

At the end of the blocked off section of parking lot a stage had been set up where a country band sat playing typical favorites.  A very small car show was on display, among the scarce booths of crafts and limited number of produce vendors. On the right a small children’s activity section had been made with face painting and games.

It was obvious the weather had gotten the best of this festival. Slightly disappointed, we were happy to pick up some local honey from a vendor who was also selling dried flowers and organic onions. We left the festival only fifteen minutes after arriving with honey in hand braving the rain on our walk back wishing we could have at least enjoyed the cider and doughnuts we thought would be waiting for us at the festival.

Well, you can’t control the weather and there’s is nothing like proving that fall has hit like a blustery day. Don’t worry, we still had an enjoyable fall weekend filled with co-worker b-day parties and dinners out with friends. Plus who doesn’t enjoy a good rainy storm from the comfort of your home with a cup of coffee?

Happy Fall everyone! Did you have a fall weekend? What activities are you looking forward to this season?