Abundant Fall Festival Fun Available for Families According to The GO Group

CHICAGO, Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- There is more to see than just colorful leaves this autumn as cities across the U.S. host their fall festivals. Check out these events recommended by the travel experts at The GO Group, LLC:   

In New York, the Food Network host its fifth annual New York City Wine & Food Festival on Oct. 11 – 14. Over 130  events feature the city's best wine, food and spirits along with celebrity chefs Anthony Bourdain, Alton Brown, Anne Burrell, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, Paula Deen and Guy Fieri.  Activities include Meatball Madness, Burger Bash, SWEET and many more.  All of the festival's net proceeds benefit the Food Bank and Share Our Strength to help end hunger. To buy tickets, visit www.nycwff.org.

On Oct. 13 – 14, the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival in San Francisco will draw huge crowds to see the giant pumpkins parade down Main Street and eat pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin everything else.  Other activities at this free event include a pancake breakfast, the Costume and Pie-Eating contests and the Pumpkin Run, plus live music and non-pumpkin festival food. The Great Pumpkin Parade starts at noon; visit www.halfmoonbaychamber.org.

On the east coast, visitors to Newport, R.I. can enjoy a bit of Germany at the International Oktoberfest. The fun includes an International Biergarten, the authentic Austro-German cuisine of SCHNITZels & GIGGLES, performances by nationally-acclaimed Oktoberfest show bands, dance troupes and yodelers. Colorful New England is the perfect backdrop to this traditional autumn celebration held October 6 – 7. Visit www.newportwaterfrontevents.com.

In St. Louis on Sept. 14 and 15, the brightest colors will be above the trees during the Fortieth Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Balloon Race.  On Friday evening, visitors can get up close looks at the brightly colored, inflated balloons during the walk-around Balloon Glow.  On Saturday, enjoy pre lift-off activities such as sky diver shows, musical entertainment, and a kids' play area. The Balloon race kicks off at noon when the Energizer Bunny "hare" balloon lifts off and then is chased by more than 60 "hound" balloons.

Head south for the Western Days Festival, in Lewisville, Texas. Just 25 miles northwest of Dallas, the event offers country music, gunfights, trick ropers, rodeo exhibitions, the national tamale-eating championship and more.  Visitors to Butterfly Flutterby can watch live butterfly releases and a parade of children and pets in butterfly costumes.  Visit www.lewisvillewesterndays.com.  

The GO Group serves all the airports in the cities above. For a complete list,  visit the website, www.GOAirportShuttle.com.  

The GO Group, LLC is a one-stop source for door-to-door airport shuttle services. Each year, its members transport some 13 million passengers to and from airports in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe. Travelers can book ground transportation to and from both departure and destination airports through GO's website, www.goairportshuttle.com.

SOURCE The GO Group, LLC