Travelers looking for bright, beautiful fall foliage will have no problem finding it in New York State this weekend, as 9 out of the state�s 11 vacation regions will have areas with peak colors, according to observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism�s I�NY� program.

In the Adirondacks, Indian Lake, in Hamilton County, projects peak to past peak foliage, with orange, yellow and green leaves of average brilliance. Lake George, in Warren County also expects plenty of peak to just past peak color, with average to bright shades of orange, dark red, yellow and purple leaves. In the Lake Champlain region of Essex County, color change will be near peak, with orange and yellow leaves predominating. Some good color still remains in areas such as Tupper Lake, Whiteface Mountain and Lake Placid, although these areas are past peak.

Look for peak foliage throughout the Catskills region. Kingston, in Ulster County, will be at peak with 100 percent foliage change and bright red and yellow leaves. Greene County will also see peak foliage with 100 percent color change and a wide variety of bright, colorful leaves. Sullivan County projects 90 percent color change, with peak colors of vivid crimson red, bright orange and deep yellow. Belleayre Mountain, in Ulster County, is just past peak.

In the Capital-Saratoga region, you will find peak color throughout the Voorheesville and Helderberg areas. Area trees and fields are displaying a spectrum of bright autumn colors, highlighted with glowing shades of crimson, orange, and gold. In Rensselaer County, Grafton Lakes State Park projects peak color, with 90 percent foliage change and bright red and orange highlights. Near-peak foliage will be found in Schenectady County this weekend, with brilliant red leaves, in addition to gold, yellow and orange highlights.

The Central Leatherstocking region will see foliage ranging from near peak to past peek this weekend. Peak foliage will arrive in Montgomery County, where foliage spotters at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site report brilliant predominating red and yellow leaves, in addition to some orange and green leaves. Schoharie County will also be at peak, with 80-85 percent color change and bright foliage.

In the southern portion of the region, Binghamton, in Broome County, projects peak foliage with 75 percent color change and bright crimson, orange and yellow leaves. Oneida and Chenango counties will be near peak, while Herkimer County will see peak foliage in the southern portion and past peak foliage in the northern portion. Predominating colors throughout the county are bright red, gold and orange.

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, Alexandria Bay, in Jefferson County, projects peak foliage with 80 percent color change and bright purple, red and yellow leaves. The northern and central portions of St. Lawrence County will be just past peak this weekend, while the southern part of the county will be past peak. In the Hudson Valley, peak foliage will arrive in Columbia County, where 100 percent of the leaves are expected to change color by weekend, with bright golden-yellow, deep red, and orange highlights. Dutchess County will be near peak, with 60 percent foliage change and extremely bright orange, yellow, maroon and purple leaves. Highland, in Ulster County, will also be near peak, with beautiful, vibrant red and yellow leaves. To the south, Bear Mountain State Park, in Rockland County, projects just 20 percent color change, with dull orange, red, yellow and purple highlights.

In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, look for peak foliage in Allegany State Park. Color is showing up in all areas of the park, and all but the hardwoods have changed. Orange, red and gold leaves predominate. Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties will also see peak foliage with 70 percent color change, while Belmont, in Allegany County, projects near peak foliage with bright yellow and orange leaves.

In the Greater Niagara region, peak foliage will arrive in Niagara County, which projects 85 percent color change and yellow, orange and some red leaves of above average brilliance. Wyoming County, home to Letchworth State Park, projects peak foliage, with 75 percent color change and bright red, orange and yellow leaves. Erie County will be near peak, with brilliant red and orange leaves continuing to predominate.

In the Finger Lakes, Cayuga County projects peak foliage, with 90 percent leaf change and brilliant yellow and red leaves. Cortland County also projects areas of peak foliage, with bright and beautiful orange, red and yellow leaves. Livingston County expects to be near peak, with 75 percent color change, and yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance. Also expected to be near peak are Steuben and Tioga counties, with predominating colors of bright yellow, orange and red. Mid-point foliage will be found in Chemung, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates counties. In the Greater Rochester area, look for 40-50 percent color change, with yellow, gold, brown and russet leaves of average brilliance, and bright red leaves. Syracuse projects 50-55 percent color change.

On Long Island, leaves will be at mid-point of color change. Nassau and western Suffolk counties project 50 percent color change, with bright red, purple, yellow and orange leaves. On the Hamptons, look for 40 percent color change with gold, red and yellow highlights. Color change in New York City is still minimal. Clay Pit Ponds State Park expects just 20 percent color change by weekend, with some red and yellow highlights.

Each week during fall, I�NY� issues reports detailing the progression of colorful fall foliage across the New York based upon information filed by the State�s officially designated �leaf peepers.�

These fall foliage spotters are instructed on how to rate foliage color in their areas, citing conditions such as brilliance, percentage of leaves changed, predominating colors and stages (just beginning, near peak, peak and past peak). I�NY� compiles its weekly reports based upon information called in by the spotters. It is estimated that about 20 percent of travel activity in the state occurs during September, October and November.

The following is a partial listing of upcoming fall events taking place around the state. For a complete listing of events, fall color progression map, scenic views, leaf guide and more, visit the I�NY� Web site at www.iloveny.com.

ADIRONDACKS Fall Fair, Glens Falls, N.Y. � Oct. 16; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; free admission; Glens Falls Sr. Center; (518) 793-2189. Fall Foliage Hike, Bolton Landing, N.Y. � Oct. 16; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; free admission; Thomas Mountain Preserve; (518) 644-9673 (registration required).

Moose River Kayak Festival, Old Forge, N.Y. � Oct. 15-16; Friday, 6 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, 5 p.m.-midnight; free admission; Friday night at Whitewater Challengers in Okara Lakes, Saturday night at North Street Pavilion; (315) 369-6983.

Whiteface �Cloudsplitter� Gondola Rides, Wilmington, N.Y. � Oct. 16-17; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; $12 adults, $7 juniors and seniors; Whiteface Mountain Ski Center; (518) 946-2223.

Capital-saratoga Granville Hicks: Champion of the Small Town: Brunch and Hike, Grafton, N.Y. � Oct. 16; 9:30 a.m. (brunch) and 1 p.m. (hike); hike is free; $10 adults and $5 children, for brunch; reservations required for brunch; for hike meet at Shaver Pond Nature Center, first house on right on Shaver Pond Road in Grafton, brunch at Grafton Inn, Rt. 2; (518) 279-1155 or e-mail Melissa.Wright@oprhp.state.ny.us.

Pick Your Own Apples, Raspberries and Pumpkins, Altamont, N.Y. � Daily, through October; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; free admission; Indian Ladder Farms, 342 Altamont Rd.; (518) 765-2956; www.indianladderfarms.com.

CATSKILLS 5th Annual Woodstock Film Festival, Woodstock, N.Y. � Oct. 13-17; call for more information; (845) 679-4265. Catskill Art Society Exhibit: �Colors and Crafts,� Hurleyville, N.Y. � Through Oct. 31; 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; free admission; Beck Gallery, 265 Main St.; (845) 436-4227.

Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted House, Ulster Park, N.Y. � Weekends through Oct. 31; dusk, call for prices and reservations (required); Rt. 9W; (845) 339-2666.

Recreation of the Burning of Kingston, Kingston, N.Y. � Oct. 15-18; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission; City of Kingston Rondout District; (845) 331-7517 or (800) 331-1518.

CENTRAL-LEATHERSTOCKING Adirondack Rail Foliage Trips, Old Forge, N.Y. � Oct. 1-17; call for times and prices; Adirondack Scenic Railroad; (315) 724-0700.

Fall Harvest Fest, St. Johnsville, N.Y. � Oct. 17; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; $2 per person; Nellis Tavern, Palatine Settlement Society; (518) 842-6400.

Privy Party, Fort Johnson, N.Y. � Oct. 16; 1-4 p.m.; free admission; Old Fort Johnson; (518) 843-0300. Wine and Food Festival, Binghamton, N.Y. � Oct. 15-16; call for times and prices; Phelps Mansion, 191 Court St.; (607) 722-4873.

CHAUTAUQUA-ALLEGHENY 150th Anniversary of Syracuse-Binghamton Railroad, Binghamton, N.Y. � Oct. 16; 9 a.m.; Binghamton Train Station; (event includes planned stops in Marathon, Cortland, and Tully with a special celebration of food, music, and displays; a return trip is planned on Saturday leaving from Syracuse.) Sunday, October 17, a special round trip excursion is planned from Syracuse to Binghamton; (315) 424-1212 or (607)-547-2555, or log on to www.877trainride.com/bing.htm for more information.

American Halloween, Mumford, N.Y. � Oct. 16-17; call for times and prices; Genesee Country Village & Museum; (585) 538-6822.

Annual Mule Day Children�s Festival, Syracuse, N.Y. � Oct. 16; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; free admission; Erie Canal Museum; (315) 471-0593.

Fall Bazaar Trinity, Auburn, N.Y. � Oct. 16; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; free admission; United Methodist Church; (315) 252-6638. FINGER LAKES Greater Ithaca Art Trail Open Studio Weekend, throughout Tompkins County � Oct. 16-18; call for times, prices and locations; (607) 273-5072, ext. 2.

Second Annual Valentown Spooktacular!, Victor, N.Y. � Oct. 16, 23, 30, and 31; call for times; $2 children 6-12, $5 ages 13 and up; free for children under 6 and adults over 75; Valentown Museum, 7377 Valentown Square; (585) 749-7951 or (585) 924-4170; www.valentown.org.

Walk on the Wild Side (2 mile walk), Castile, N.Y. � Oct. 16; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; vehicle entrance fee to park; Dishmill Creek area of Letchworth State Park (ask for directions to the Dishmill Creek area when paying vehicle entrance fee at the park gate); (585) 493-3625.

Woodcarver�s Show, Baldwinsville, N.Y. � Oct. 16-17; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; $1.75 per vehicle; Beaver Lake Nature Center; (315) 638-2519; www.ongov.net/parks.

GREATER NIAGARA Fright Fest, Darien Center, N.Y. � Oct. 15-17; 4 -11:30 p.m.; park admission; Six Flags Darien Lake, 9993 Allegheny Rd.; (585) 599-4641.

Ghost Hunts, East Bethany, N.Y. � Oct. 15; 8 p.m.-6 a.m.; $35; Rolling Hills Country Mall, 1101 Bethany Center Rd.; (585) 344-2888.

Holiday Hollow, Pembroke, N.Y. � Saturdays and Sundays through October; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $7; 1410 Main Rd.; (585) 762-8160.

The Light and The Darkness, Batavia, N.Y. � Oct. 15; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; call for prices; Genesee County Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St.; (585) 343-9313.

HUDSON VALLEY Film Columbia 2004 � Film Celebration, Chatham Village, N.Y. � Oct. 22-24; call for times and prices; The Crandell Theatre; (518) 392-1162; www.filmcolumbia.com.

Nature Program: �Reading The Woods� (easy+), Tuxedo, N.Y. � Oct. 17; 1 p.m.; free admission and parking, registration required; Sterling Forest� State Park (meet at Lautenberg Visitor Center on Old Forge Road in Tuxedo; (845) 351-5907.

NYS Sheep & Wool Family Festival, Rhinebeck, N.Y. � Oct. 16-17; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sunday includes the 7th Annual Punkin� Chunkin� Competition); $7, $12 for both days, under 12 free; Dutchess County Fairgrounds; (845) 876-4001 or (845) 756-2323; www.sheepandwool.com.

Oktoberfest 2004, Bear Mountain, N.Y. � Oct. 16-17; noon-6 p.m.; free admission, $6 parking per car; Bear Mountain State Park; (845) 786-2731.

Long Island Bellmore Family Street Festival, Bellmore, N.Y. � Oct. 16-17; 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; free admission; Long Island Railroad Station and Bedford Avenue; (516) 679-1875.

Hamptons International Film Festival, East Hampton, with additional venues in Sag Harbor, Southampton and Montauk, N.Y. � Oct. 20-24; call for film and event schedule, prices; (866) HIFF-TIX; www.hamptonsfilmfest.org.

Long Island Fair, Old Bethpage, N.Y. � Oct. 14-17; call for times; $10 adults, $5 seniors and Children; Old Bethpage Village Restoration; (516) 572-8400.

Oyster Festival, Oyster Bay, N.Y. � Oct. 16-17; 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; free admission; Theodore Roosevelt Park; (516) 628-1625.

NEW YORK CITY Maintaining a Horse, Staten Island, N.Y. � Oct. 16; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; free admission; Clay Pit Ponds State Park; (718) 967-1976.

THOUSAND ISLANDS SEAWAY Feed the Wolves, Watertown, N.Y. � Oct. 17; 2 p.m.; free admission; New York State Living Museum at Thompson Park; (315) 782-6180, ext. 15.

Paint Your Own Halloween Pottery, Clayton, N.Y. � Oct. 15; call for times and prices; Handweaving Museum and Arts Center; (315) 686-4123.

Storytime, Watertown, N.Y. � Oct. 15; 11 a.m.; free admission; New York State Living Museum at Thompson Park; (315) 782-6180, ext. 15.

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Media Contact: Scott Flaherty +1 (518) 292-5131 sflaherty@empire.state.ny.us