The 14th annual Shenandoah Autumnfest returns to Woodstock on Saturday with barbecue, bands and brews. Named to USA Today’s 10 Best Fall Festivals and HGTV’s Best Fall Festivals lists, AutumnFest draws in thousands of visitors annually for harness racing, live music, food and crafts. Autumnfest takes place from 11 a.
m. to 5:30 p.m.
to the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, Ext 283 off Interstate 81, halfway between Harrisonburg and Winchester. According to Shenandoah County Chamber President/CEO Sharon Baroncelli, this year's event is bigger and better than ever. “There are a few new highlights this year,” Baroncelli said.
Wine tastings are returning to AutumnFest with five local wineries participating. Offering tastings will be Muse Vineyard, North Mountain Vineyard, Third Hill at DeMello Vineyard, Wolf Gap Vineyard and Castle Vineyards. Cider tasting is always popular and many of the brands offered at AutumnFest are not usually found in grocery stores.
“Cider is really taking off and we always run out," she said. "So this year we’ve got our own cider trailer, which is exciting. People love to taste different ciders, and we’re going with a regional spread because one’s coming all the way from Norfolk.
” Tastings for cider, beers and spirits will include Ardent Craft Ales, Blue Mountain, Bold Rock Ciders, Brothers Brew, 6 Bears N Goat, Devil’s Backbone, Hardywood, Heavy Seas Family, New Realm, Shock Top, South Street, Starr Hill Family, Box Office Brewery and W.