Mark your calendar as County Lines country prepares for a full season of fun, food and festivities. From horse shows and county fairs at Ludwig’s Corner, the Laurels, Devon, Fair Hill and the PA Hunt Cup, to mushroom, restaurant and vintners’ festivals, fall is packed with pleasure. For traditionalists, there’s the 69th Chester County Day Tour, 46th Delaware Antiques Show and 36th Marshalton Triathlon. To keep it fresh, visit the first Paoli Blues Fest. No matter your taste, we’ve got your calendar covered!
SEPTEMBER
5-7, 66th Annual Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show and Country Fair
Equestrians compete in a variety of events. Carriage exhibition, antique cars and country fair. Rt. 100, N of Rt. 401, Ludwig’s Corner. 610-458-3344.
11-13, The Laurels at Landhope International Combined Driving Event
Combined driving, dressage, cross-country equestrian event and festive trade fair. Wood View & Glen Willow Rds., West Grove. 610-486-0710.
12-13, 44th Annual Chadds Ford Days
18th-century celebration, tours of the John Chads House, vendors, food and an art show. Rt. 100, Chadds Ford. 610-388-7376; chaddsfordhistory.org.
12-13, 24th Kennett Square Mushroom Festival
Street fair with mushroom-related events. Fun for the whole family. 610-793-3909; mushroomfest.com.
11-13, Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance
Premier, nationally-recognized motor car event. Radnor Hunt, 826 Providence Rd., Malvern. 610-353-3536; radnorconcours.org.
20, 30th Annual Chester County Restaurant Festival
70 restaurants serve up their best at this annual street fair. Gay St. between Matlack & Darlington; Walnut St. from Gay to Market Sts. Rain date, Sept. 28. 610-436-9010.
20, The Hagley Car Show
More than 500 antique American cars, trucks and motorcycles are displayed. This year’s special feature will be Brass-era cars. Main entrance off Rt. 141, Wilmington. 10 to 4. 302-658-2400; hagley.org.
22-27, Dressage at Devon
Top horses and riders from around the world compete. Festival Shops. Devon Horse Show Grounds, Rt. 30, Devon. 484-358-5510.
26-27, Oct. 3-4, Brandywine Valley Vintners’ Harvest Festival 2009
Local vineyards and wineries invite you to discover the Brandywine Valley Wine district. bvwinetrail.com.
Sept-Oct, Shadows of West Chester Ghost Tours
Tales of ghosts, folklore and history on Friday and Saturday nights, 8 p.m. Meet at The Lincoln Room, 28 W. Market St. 610-696-2102.
OCTOBER
3, 69th Annual Chester County Day Tour
Fine homes and historic landmarks in the northwestern quadrant of Chester County are on this year’s tour. 610-431-5301; cchosp.com.
3, Paoli Sings the Blues — Blues Fest
Musicians perform throughout the day, street fairs, dancing and children’s activities.
4, 29th Annual Media Food & Crafts Festival
Over 50 restaurants and 80 craftspeople display on State St. in the heart of downtown. 610-566-5039; mediabusinessauthority.com.
4, 36th Annual Marshalton Triathlon
Pedal, Paddle, Pace — From novices to ironmen. Benefits the West Bradford Fire Co. Rt. 162, Marshalton. 610-696-9374; marshaltontriathlon.com.
10, “Bringin’ Back the Bacons” —Bacon Brothers Concert at The Colonial Theatre
The Brothers, plus their 6-piece band. Benefits the Colonial Theatre and the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust. 610-917-1228.
11, 7th Annual Rotary Chili Cookoff
Sample chili from over 50 teams. Vote for your favorite. Gay St., West Chester. Noon to 4. westchesterchilicookoff.com.
15-18, Dansko Fair Hill International 3-Day Event & Festival in the Country
USEF Championships, horse trials, country fair and more. Gallagher Rd., Rts. 273 & 213, Fair Hill, MD. 410-398-2111; fairhill international.com.
22-24, 24th Annual Great Pumpkin Event
Traditional pumpkin carve and show. Chadds Ford Historical Society, Rt. 100 N., Chadds Ford. 610-388-7376; chaddsfordhistory.org.
Mid-Oct.-Nov. 22, Longwood Gardens Chrysanthemum Showcase
More than 20,000 colorful chrysanthemums are ablaze in the main conservatory. Rt. 1, Kennett Square. 610-388-1000; longwoodgardens.org.
NOVEMBER
1, 75th Running of the PA Hunt Cup
Enjoy a day in the country featuring great timber racing, tailgating, carriage parade and shopping. Benefits local conservancies and land trusts. Rt. 926 & Newark Rd. Unionville. 484-888-6619; pahuntcup.org.
6-8, 46th Annual Delaware Antiques Show
Over 60 dealers at this premier antiques event. Chase Center, Wilm ington. 302-888-4600; 800-448-3883; winterthur.org.
11-15, 33rd Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
Premier show and sale of contemporary art-quality crafts, featuring 195 of the most dynamic artists in the country. PA Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. Philadelphia. 215-684-7930; pmacraftshow.org. -CL-