IT’S TODAY: We must disagree with the professionals at
Pennsylvania’s tourism bureau about when our fall foliage will be
at its peak. They guessed Oct. 15; We say it just might be
today.

In fact, Oct. 8 is close to the day of peak almost every year –
regardless of the variables in the weather, temperature, and other
factors.

We received the prognostication from Pennsylvania’s tourism
website which, we must admit, is pretty darn cool. Not only does it
have the color forecast, but it has a webcam at a couple locations
which give you a bird’s eye view of what’s going on around the
state.

Here’s what our forecast was as of Oct. 4: “Foliage condition is
about 40 percent of full color. Expect full color around Oct. 15.
The rate of change in color is picking up as the nights become
longer and cooler.”

“The slow start to the season is going to result in a later peak
in color condition this year. This may result in a very spectacular
season with the peak for northern hardwoods overlapping with the
oaks. Time will tell. The maples and birch are now providing a
beautiful display of red, orange and yellow.”

One thing they are right about is the colors have begun a fairly
rapid change – all of a sudden.

In any case, it’s beautiful right now and surely will be for a
week or so into the future. So dig out your cameras.

By the way, that Pennsylvania tourism website is “fallinpa.com”
if you want to check it out. One of the webcams is south of us in
Elk County where the camera actually scans Winslow Hill in search
of elk. (Needless to say, we didn’t see them – again.)

AND ALSO: If you’re heading north of south today you can catch a
celebration of this beautiful season.

“Party like there’s snow tomorrow” will be held from 2-8 p.m.
today in Kane, at the Train Depot, just south of the stop light on
Fraley Street. Events include an artisan’s market, pumpkin caving
contest, live entertainment and local vendors.

And then, to the north, the Ellicottville, N.Y., Fall Festival
is slated for today and tomorrow. Tens of thousands of festival
goers make for a lively weekend of unique foods, arts and much
more. We can attest to that “thousands” who turn out regardless of
the weather.