STRATTON MOUNTIAN -- With the Vermont maples bursting into color, Stratton Mountain is planning a busy Columbus Day weekend with events for all ages in a series of events Saturday, Oct. 6 through Monday, Oct. 8.

Harvestfest is a "Family fall-spectacular" with hay rides, pumpkin painting and caramel apple dipping, plus sand art, facepainting, henna tattoos, a magician and the Vermont Raptors Show in Stratton Village.

More adult entertainment is available with sampling of the finest local brews and stews at Brewfest and the Chili Cook-off. More than two dozen regional and local Vermont breweries will pour pints and samples, while the Stratton community serves up a dozen chili recipes for taste tests.

For the athletic, the North Face Race to the Summit, a two-mile uphill climb through breath-taking foliage, keeps the energy high on Sunday morning, followed by a brunch in Grizzly’s.

Free live music will be available all weekend, featuring Twiddle on Saturday, guided hikes, a summit art class, wine tasting and donut making put the icing on the cider donut, the foam on the beer, the paint on the pumpkin. Plus, the summit gondola will run all weekend for a bird’s eye view of the fall colors of southern Vermont.

Live music, presented free, on Saturday will include: From noon to 3 p.m., The North Star Session Band on the Village Stage; from noon to 3 p.m., Twiddle at the Main Base; from 4 to 7 p.m., Jeff Tuohy Band at the Main Base; from 7 to 10 p.m., Bennington’s own, The Invisible Jams Band at Grizzly’s. On Sunday: From noon to 3 p.m., JT and the Leftovers at the Main Base; from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Kind Buds on the Village Stage. On Monday: Live music in the village from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For a complete scherdule and more information visit stratton.com.