LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Some of us may be turning our attention to the upcoming winter season, but don’t forget about autumn. The temperatures are ideal for all types of activities and the fall foliage is breathtaking. Plus, as an added bonus, the autumn season is also festival time, a time where residents, visitors and families can get together and celebrate the summer past and look ahead to winter.

The 22nd annual Whiteface Mountain Oktoberfest, Oct. 5-6, will draw thousands of visitors to the Olympic mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y., as they celebrate the Bavarian culture with authentic music, dancing, food and of course beer. But it’s not all about eating and drinking, as there will be rides for kids and adults, craft vendors and discounted trips on the Cloudsplitter Gondola to the summit of Little Whiteface. Families will also be able to enjoy a drive up the mountain’s Veterans’ Memorial Highway, where even more breathtaking views from New York’s fifth high peak await.

Saturday’s hours are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., while the Oktoberfest continues Sunday, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults and $10 for juniors and seniors.

The fall festivals continue the following weekend, Oct. 12-13, when the Olympic Jumping Complex plays host to the Flaming Leaves Festival and the Olympic Center welcomes back the second annual Lake Placid Brewfest.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, watch as our nation’s best compete for the title of U.S. national champion in the sports of ski jumping and Nordic combined during the annual Flaming Leaves Festival. These athletes will be launching themselves off the Olympic Jumping Complex’s 90-meter ski jump while on the ground below live Blues bands play and Centerplate grills up ribs and burgers. The Blues begins at noon, Saturday, when Funky Blues Roots takes to the Olympic Jumping Complex stage for their first of two sets, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Saturday’s Blues line-up also features Back Porch Society from 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.

The action also continues Sunday, Oct. 13, with even more jumping action from both the 90-meter and 20-meter jumps. Other activities during the festival include lawns games, a horseshoe tournament, craft vendors and t-shirt tie dying, so be sure to bring your own, or buy one there.

Music also continues Sunday with Collette and the Mudcats from noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Fade to Blues will also perform from 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.

The U.S. national championship event will also wind down later in the day, when the Nordic combined athletes ski 10-kilometers round the village of Lake Placid.

The annual Flaming Leaves Festival is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days and admission is $16 for adults and $10 for juniors and seniors. Two-day passes are also available, $27 for adults and $16 for juniors and seniors, while the Olympic Sites Passport will also be honored for admission.

From the Olympic Jumping Complex Saturday’s, Oct. 12, festival fun moves to the Olympic Center’s 1932 rink and the Lake Placid Brewfest, from 3-7 p.m. Open to everyone 21 years and older, the brewfest features 20-plus micro-brew companies from around the country.

Each of the breweries will be on hand to offer samples and talk brewing. There will also be live music, and food provided by Centerplate. Tickets for the second annual Lake Placid Brewfest are $40 and $10 for the designated driver. They are available by visiting the Olympic Center box office, by calling 518-523-3330, on-line or at the door the day of the festival. Admission includes beer samples and souvenir glass.

For more information about both festivals and ORDA’s Olympic venues, visit www.whitefacelakeplacid.com.

— ORDA —

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speedskating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.