It may seem like it’s too soon for summer to come to a close, but Labor day is now just a week away. Kids are headed back to school or are already off to college. The silver lining is that fall is filled with fun things to do right here on Main Street in Clarence. Here’s a look at some upcoming Main Street Festivals and Events:

Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival – Opens Sept 16th

Now in its 22nd year, the Fall Festival at the Great Pumpkin Farm (11199 Main Street) started off as a new home for the World Pumpkin Weigh-off, with pumpkin-growers coming from far and wide to compete, and earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the first recorded pumpkin eclipsing the 1,000 pound mark!

Since that time it’s evolved into a seven week festival, running through October 31st. The festival is always adding new wrinkles, including a Zombie paintball train, dinosaur mazes, hayrides and more. There’s plenty here for the whole family, with kid-friendly activities and the Witches Brew Tavern for more grown-up music and refreshments.

Oinktoberfest – Sept 22nd-24th

Billing itself as the longest-running BBQ Festival in New York State, Oinktoberfest (11199 Main Street) is technically a part of the Fall Festival –  but as a sanctioned competition of the Kansas City Barbeque Society it’s a full festival in its own right. Teams of skilled barbequers will descend on Main Street in Clarence for two days of competitions and an awards ceremony on Sunday. There will be continuous live music and plenty of mouth-watering food, so come hungry. This year’s theme is Heart of Texas, honoring a state that’s arguably the world center of BBQ.

Clarence Hollow Scarecrow Festival – Sept 30th

The Clarence Hollow Farmers’ Market (10717 Main Street) will be host to the annual Scarecrow Festival, with plenty to offer young and old alike. If you are the crafty sort, you can bring your homemade scarecrow or make your own at the Scarecrow Boo-tique. For a $10 fee you can register your scarecrow and get a lamppost assignment where your creation will welcome visitors and beautify Main Street throughout the fall. The event will also include a kids fun tent hosted by the Clarence Youth Bureau with face painting, games and other fall activities. There will also be art classes, a hard cider tasting and live entertainment by the Dust Bowl Ramblers.

Slow Roll Bike Stampede – Bikes Beer and BBQ – Sept 30th

There’s nothing like a fall ride, and Discover Main Street is once again teaming up with the crew from Slow Roll Buffalo for another Bike Stampede showcasing our Clarence neighborhoods. Our summer slow roll event drew over 500 cyclists for a fun ride at a party pace – a bit longer and faster than the Monday night rolls that attract thousands in the City of Buffalo. This event starts and ends at Main Street’s very own craft brewery – the West Shore Brewing Company (10995 Main Street). The ride returns for an afterparty celebrating Beer Week, with BBQ from several food trucks and vendors – and live music.

Creepy Crawler Halloween Pub Crawl – Oct 28th

Walk, bike or ride the limo shuttle – the Creepy Crawler is a pub crawl with a Halloween twist. Hosted by Penny Lane Café (10255 Main Street), the crawl is a moving costume party that showcases some of our finest Main Street Clarence Establishments before returning to the Penny Lane. The fun continues there with a rocking afterparty in the newly expanded venue.

Small Business Saturday –  Nov 25th

In recent years, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving has become Main Street’s answer to Black Friday. The Shop Small movement has been instrumental in helping build awareness and support for the small businesses that make up the fabric of our Main street community. Discover Main Street is proud to host this event for a 4th year on our Clarence Main Street, and we will once again be promoting our local businesses with a social media campaign, free gifts and a grand prize for one lucky Main Street Shopper.