80 vendors of various arts, crafts and food fill the grounds at Boothbay Railway Village Museum during two days of great weather Oct. 11-12

Mon, 10/13/2025 - 12:02pm

KEVIN BURNHAM

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

“I think I’m done,” said Elaine Fossett Rittershaus, longtime summer resident of Sprucewold and columnist for this newspaper, as she and her family, toting purchases, made their way past some of the 80 vendors at the 57th annual Fall Foliage Festival at the Boothbay Railway Village Museum on Sunday, Oct. 12.

About 20 minutes earlier, the newspaper caught up with Elaine’s husband, Charles “Chuck” Rittershaus, enjoying a cup of Lions Club fish chowder, with one of their two daughters, a son-in-law, and granddaughter trailing behind.

“Always delicious,” said Chuck, after he ate another spoonful.

The seven-member Rittershaus family was among the 1,033 Festival attendees on Sunday, according to Kate Rice, board member of the BRVM, who was checking in people at the gate along with fellow board member Holly Stover.

While Sunday’s weather was more fall-like – cloudy but not cold -- Saturday’s weather was more summer-like with sunny skies and temperature in the mid-60s. Rice said 1,483 people passed through the gate on Saturday.

The Festival drew a wide variety of vendors, which included wood, ceramic and glass crafts, soaps and clothing, knitted goods, pottery, jewelry, candy, art and photography, picture frames and much more.

One of the vendors was Stephen Avery, a teacher at Bonnie Eagle High School in Hollis Center. His “sidelight” business, Avery Custom Engraving, drew the eyes of several people with his colorful laser created “creatures,” as he also brought along one of the machines to show the process.

“I really enjoy teaching the kids this technology,” said Avery.

By noon on Sunday, the grounds (and parking lots) were crowded, as people visited the various booths and eating the various foods—barbecue, charcuterie, Caribbean offerings, cider, chowder and more – while music was provided by singer and guitarist Justin Merle.

It was a great day for family fun, catching up with friends and viewing and purchasing Maine crafts.

While Elaine Rittershaus might have been done shopping, she wasn’t totally done, as she stopped by Morgan Mills BBQ for a cup of smoked finnan haddie chowder, which, of course, husband Chuck had to try a spoonful.