CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine ??” Sugarloafers will converge on the resort for the annual rite of autumn for Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 7-9. This year’s event features the Sugarloaf Home Show and The Upcountry Artists Art Show, an event that has grown into one of the largest and most highly anticipated events of the fall season.

The Upcountry Artists Art Show will showcase painting, pottery and handcrafted items among others. The Sugarloaf Home Show will feature rugs, hot tubs, security systems, many locally made unique and special items plus home improvement services and companies. Both shows will be held in and around the base lodge on Saturday 10-5 p.m. and Sunday from 10-4 p.m.

Homecoming weekend is the traditional kick off of the approaching winter season and is often a time when Sugarloafers purchase their season pass. However, with greater than anticipated sales of the All For One Pass in the spring and a commitment to sell fewer passes then were sold last year, Sugarloaf President John Diller, advises Sugarloafers not to wait to buy their pass this year.

“There is a very real possibility that all five levels of the All For One Pass will be sold out before Homecoming and the Oct. 10 deadline,” Diller said. “We strongly encourage all Sugarloafers to purchase their pass as soon as possible to ensure they get one because once we reach the pre-set number of passes, sales will end.”

Saturday activities include the annual ski sale at Carrabassett Valley Academy at the base of the mountain. In the spirit of fall festivities, guests can pick up free pumpkins and straw at Guest Services in the base lodge, Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m.; and display them at the Great Pumpkin and Scarecrow Showcase at 3:30 p.m. that afternoon.

Sugarloaf’s senior management team will host the Annual Information Meeting at the Sugarloaf Inn at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Also on Saturday, the Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club will host their annual Pig Roast at the Outdoor Center from 4-6 p.m. and the Annual Homecoming Auction will be held at The Bag & Kettle restaurant at 7:30 p.m. More than 100 items will be auctioned and raffled with the proceeds benefiting youth recreational programs in Kingfield and Carrabassett Valley.

Sunday activities include a children’s and adult Uphill Climb, followed by Junior Olympics for kids in the afternoon. For cycling enthusiasts, test you mettle in the first “200k-in-one-day Green Monster” bike ride. This is a chance to ride the distance and topography equivalent of a Tour de France stage, while raising money to support conservation in Maine. For those who wish to take part but don’t want to tackle the entire distance, there is a 65-mile option that runs simultaneously. To learn more about the Green Monster and to sign up, visit www.sugarloaf.com/green_monster.html.