FLY CREEK, NY - Two of Cooperstown's most popular family attractions, The Fly Creek Cider Mill and The Farmers' Museum, are hosting fall festivals this weekend. At the Mill the Cooperstown Rotary Club celebrates this year's plentiful apple crop with the 15th annual AppleFest. The Festival program is loaded with family-focused activities including children's games, scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, apple sampling, bouncy houses, antique tractor display and a full line-up of local musical performances. There will be a raffle and silent auction of many valuable prizes donated by local businesses and Rotarians. AppleFest hours are 10:00 until 5:00 Saturday and noon until 5:00 Sunday. Admission is $2, children under 12 are free.

Rotary distributes every dollar raised at AppleFest to local charities. Last year they raised more than $14,000 and hope to exceed that goal this year.

Both days the Fly Creek Cider Mill will demonstrate the cider-making process with its historic water-powered cider press. Apple lovers may sample fresh varieties including McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Empire and more. Bill Michaels, owner of the Fly Creek Cider Mill, says, "We are pleased to host AppleFest and the Cooperstown Rotary Club benefiting the community. It is our opportunity to thank the many customers who have chosen to make the Mill a traditional fall-family destination."

Just minutes from the Mill The Farmers' Museum is celebrating its 32nd Annual Harvest Festival both Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 - 5:00. A live bluegrass musical performance by the Gravel Yard band is scheduled Saturday evening from 6:00 until 8:00. Returning this year are members of the Southern Tier Alpaca Association who display their animals and offer numerous activities throughout the weekend including an entertaining alpaca obstacle course.

The Harvest Festival brings a wide array of performers, exhibitors, and farm animals to the Museum's 19th-century setting. Guests can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, historic games, craft activities, artisan demonstrations, a canine agility course, and fresh foods from the season's harvest such as roasted corn. New this year is an apple pie-eating contest (pies supplied by the Fly Creek Cider Mill) on Saturday at 2:00. Sign up until noon in the main barn for the contest.

Over 20 vendors and artisans will offer everything the season has to offer including beeswax candles, cedar hand-carved decoys and birds, early American tinware, quilts, stained glass, and Windsor chairs. Admission is $12 adults (13+), $10.50 seniors (65+), $6 children (7-12), children 6 and under and members of the New York State Historical Association free.

For more information on this weekend's area festivals visit the Fly Creek Cider Mill's website at www.flycreekcidermill.com The Farmer's Museum's website at www.FarmersMuseum.org. For more information on other attractions and lodging in the Cooperstown and Otsego County area, visit www.thisiscooperstown.com.