MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM LAUNCHES AUTUMN WEB SITE FOR TRAVELERS LOOKING FOR BRIGHT COLORS, TASTY HARVEST EVENTS AND SEASONAL FALL ATTRACTIONS
Site Helps Travelers Plan for A Quintessential MA Fall Experience

BOSTON, September 14, 2010.  The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) announces the launch of new efforts to highlight the Commonwealth's beautiful fall foliage and autumn events.  For consumers, a seasonal microsite (http://www.massvacation.com/fallfoliage) connects travelers to statewide fall events and attractions, fall foliage driving routes, estimated foliage conditions and enables visitors to receive season-specific alerts sent directly to their email inbox.  In addition visitors can call in to the fall foliage hotline for update information at 800- 227-MASS. With MA foliage lasting into early November massvacation.com offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to take advantage of the lasting color.

"We will bring the best of fall to travelers who visit the Commonwealth from all over the world." said Betsy Wall, executive director of MOTT.  "Fall in Massachusetts is spectacular and we want to highlight this season's leaf peeping, fall events and activities that shouldn't be missed this time of year."

"The thousands of acres of forests and trails, fields and even beaches overseen by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) offer innumerable vantage points to see fall foliage and migrating wildlife," said DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. "The vistas are stunning, and we urge everyone to come out and take advantage of their parkland."

Site Highlights:
2010 Fall Events: http://www.massvacation.com/fallfoliage/#/2010-fall-events
While you're out exploring the foliage, check out some of the exciting events happening all across the state. Scroll over the highlighted dates to find out where all the fun is in Massachusetts:

Fall Foliage Driving Routes: http://www.massvacation.com/fallfoliage/#/driving-routes
Every region of the state enjoys gorgeous color and you'll see some popular routes here.

Estimated Foliage Conditions: http://www.massvacation.com/fallfoliage/#/driving-routes
Scroll over dates to see estimated foliage conditions for that week.

Fall Foliage Alerts: http://www.massvacation.com/fallfoliage/#/driving-routes
Sign-up here to receive updates on where the best color in the state can be found along with timely things to do in that region.

MOTT's 'Visit Massachusetts' Facebook and Twitter pages are other great ways to keep visitors and residents informed with up to the minute information about the state. Follow MOTT on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Visit-Massachusetts/132857061913 and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VisitMA

The following is just a sampling of upcoming events across the state:

Greater Boston:
Copley Square Farmers Market: Through 10/7; Thursday, 12pm-4pm http://www.prudentialcenter.com/experience/events.php?year=2010&month=5
Meet the growers of the Prudential Center Farmers Market that offer locally grown fruits, vegetables and unique breads and more.

43rd Head of the Charles Regatta: 10/23 - 10/24

http://www.hocr.org
More than 8,000 athletes from around the world compete in 55 different race events.
North of Boston & Greater Merrimack Valley:

4th Annual Brewfest at The Amesbury Sports Park: 9/25 http://www.amesburysportspark.net/
Features 5 bands, 100 beers, guest craft brewers, BBQ and rides.  

Salem Haunted Happenings: 10/1 - 10/31

http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/
See why Salem is the Halloween capital of the world with festivities for the whole family.

South of Boston

The Working Waterfront Festival: 9/25 - 9/26

http://www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org
An award wining, family friendly event celebrating the history and culture of New England's commercial fishing industry.

7th Annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration: 10/9 - 10/10

http://www.cranberryharvest.org
Features crafters, activities for children, animal shows, cooking demonstrations, food vendors, pony & wagon rides and more.

Cape & Islands
The Wellfleet Oyster Festival: 10/16 - 10/17

http://www.wellfleetoysterfest.org
This two-day street party celebrates the town's famous oysters, clams and shell fishing traditions.
Fall on Nantucket: Through 11/30

http://www.nantucketchamber.org
The island's natural beauty takes center stage and its historic museums, shops, lodging and restaurants remain open to accommodate fall visitors.

Central Massachusetts
Old Sturbridge Village Apple Days: 10/2 - 10/3

http://www.osv.org
Grinding and pressing apples into cider and varieties of apples to taste at Old Sturbridge Village.

2nd Annual Blackstone Valley Fall Family Festival: 10/9 http://www.blackstonevalleyfallfestival.com
This event is free to the public and will include a variety of demonstrations, exhibits, craft, food vendors and more.

Western Massachusetts
The 31st Annual Apple Squeeze: 9/25 - 9/26

http://www.lenox.org
Foods from all nations will be presented along with the "Apple" and all its possibilities

6th Annual Pumpkin Festival: 10/17

http://www.deerfield-farm.com     
Hayrides, great food and refreshments, demonstrations, farm animals, face and pumpkin painting, music and more.

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism is the state agency dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure travel destination and to stimulate the Massachusetts economy by generating state and local tax revenues, creating jobs, and supporting the growth of travel related businesses.  MOTT serves as a leader in the tourism industry, bringing together the public and private sectors to promote Massachusetts as a leisure travel destination.  For more information about MOTT visit www.Massvacation.com