Rockaway Fall Festival

Every year the Rockaway Music and Arts Council's Fall Festival brings hundreds of artists and crafts-people to Jacob Riis Park. It's an open-air juried art show. That means you can meet the folks who made the blown glass, pottery, paintings, stained glass, silk, jewelry, and other creations on sale. Most of the artists are from the greater New York area, but they also come from out-of-state. Organizers expect over 20,000 to attend.

Plus there's a petting zoo, pony rides, and musicians to keep the kids entertained. Also experts will demonstrate quilting techniques and flower arranging.

Get this -- the most popular vendor is the Pickle Lady. You'll have to wait in line to try her garlic or horseradish pickles. For more food options, you can pick up jams, preserved fruits, and hot sauces, or fill up on soup and greasy festival chow.

This year -- in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of The Rockaways -- it's paired with the New York Kite Festival.

While you're there -- and the festival site is in the western Rockaways, so close to Brooklyn -- check out the refurbished Art Deco-bathhouse across from the fair, stroll on the nearby and best beach in Queens, and pay a sunset visit to the 9/11 Memorial in Breezy Point.

• 25th Annual Rockaway Music and Arts Council's Fall Festival

• September 12 and 13, 2009; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
• Free admission; free parking for 8,000 cars; for more info call 718-474-6760
• Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Peninsula, Queens, NY (Google map)
• More - Rockaway Music and Arts Council (sponsor's website)