This is the time of year that we have all been anticipating: apple picking time. A time when we can enjoy the cooler temperatures while walking through apple orchards picking the best apples — which will end up in our pies and other recipes, and eventually delight our taste buds.

Next weekend is Maine Apple Festival weekend and there are a few festivals in the area to choose from, as well as a host of orchards. But there are also county fairs, fall fests, pumpkin festivals and many other opportunities to have fun while tasting the goodies that will be offered.

So, whether you just want to pick apples or have fun in a corn maze, visit petting zoos, take a wagon ride, play disc golf, get scared by haunted hay rides or have fun at county fairs, now is the time to do it!

(For a full listing of apple offerings go to: http://www.maineapples.org/orchards.html and http://www.pickyourown.org/MEA2E.htm. For more information on festivals and fairs visit http://www.maine.info/events/festivals/september.php

Ricker Hill Orchard

295 Buckfield Road

Turner

225-5552

 http://www.rickerhill.com/

There are corn mazes for everyone’s delight and confusion, disc golf, a petting zoo, and a country store to buy all kinds of apples — organic and otherwise — if you don’t want to pick your own. And lots more.

Harvest Hill Farms

840 Bakerstown Road

Poland

998-5485

http://www.harvesthillfarms.com/Pumpkin_Land.html

Harvest Hills is hosting the spooky Gauntlet Ride of Horror for everyone who wants to get a scare this fall, along with a corn maze and fall harvest tours, and let’s not forget Pumpkin Land. You may want to check out their range-fed beef in the store and pick up some other specialties while there.

Apple Pumpkin Festival

Livermore Falls Rec Field

Foundry Road behind the Town Office at 2 Main St.

Livermore Falls

http://jay-livermore-lf.org/apfest-web/index.html

The festival is held on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food, music, artisans, vendors and lots for the kids to enjoy. Look for the signs and don’t miss this festival.

Farmington Fair

High Street

Farmington

For information call 778-6083

The fair runs from Sept. 19-25 and Seniors Days are Tuesday and Thursday. With a large midway, livestock events and exhibits, and harness racing there is something for everyone.

The Common Ground Country Fair

294 Crosby Brook Road

Unity

http://www.mofga.org/TheFair/tabid/135/Default.aspx

Everyone’s favorite fair, The Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, runs from Sept. 24-26 and this is one you don’t want to miss. Everything from farm animals to herbs to fibers to delicious organic food.

Monmouth Apple Festival

Monmouth Museum

748 Main St.

Monmouth

933-2287

http://www.monmouthmuseuminc.org/calendar.htm

Head up to Monmouth on the 25th for its Apple Fest at the museum. With activities for adults and kids, it’s guaranteed there is something for you, including wagon rides, barrel car rides, music, apple exhibits and more. For more information, call the museum or check out the calendar.

Shaker Hill Apple Festival

147 Shaker Hill Road

Alfred

324-1137

http://www.yorkcountyshelterprograms.org/yorkcountyshelterprograms.org/Apple_Festival_-_Sept._25-26.html

For something special visit the Shaker Hill Apple Festival Sept. 25-26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Along with a juried crafts and art show, there will be a pancake breakfast, a silent auction in the barn, apple crisp and ice cream, and so much more, including an antique car ride that takes participants to an apple crisp event at a private garden. All proceeds go to assist the York County shelter programs. Parking and admission are free.

Wallingford’s Orchard

1240 Perkins Ridge Road

Auburn

784-7958

Pick your own or buy them from the store. There is now a kiddie land for kids to enjoy, animal petting area, and don’t forget their famous cider doughnuts and apple dumplings!

Benoit’s Orchard

Cotton and Ferry road

Lewiston

783-0875

This orchard has pick your own or buy from the store on the property, and grab a quart of cider. Check out the mini-donkeys they have there too!

Thompson’s Orchards

276 Gloucester Hill Road

New Gloucester

926-4738

http://www.thompsonsorchard.com/

This orchard is offering fresh-picked apples along with doughnuts, pies, fresh-pressed apple cider and pumpkins, along with other treats. They also offer horse-pulled wagon rides.