Changes coming to long-held Modesto region fall festival. See what’s different, when

Get ready to harvest some fun during a month filled with fall festivals and other events in the greater Modesto region.

October brings some of the larger festivals, including the long-running celebration of cheese and wine in Riverbank.

There are some changes for this year’s 47th annual Riverbank Cheese & Wine Festival, however. The city of Riverbank has taken over organizing the event after several years of contracting it to outside promoters, according to Virginia Still, administrative clerk with city’s parks and recreation department.

More notably, the festival will go from its traditional two days to one day.

“It just hasn’t been as well attended as it was in the past,” Still said. Organizing the festival in-house allows the city to decide where money will go and have more control over decorations, wine selection and more.

The city is looking to bring the festival back to the family-friendly event that it used to be, she said.

Also coming in October are the International Heritage Festival, the California Tamale Festival and the All Hallows Faire, along with several other events.

There are a few groups getting a jump on the holiday craft fair season, too, planning events in October rather than November.

Here’s a look at some of what’s coming up in the Modesto and Mother Lode regions:

TASTES OF THE VALLEY — Oct. 3: The Stanislaus State agriculture department and Friends of the Fair Foundation present the annual event. There will be samples from wineries and brewers around the region, local cheesemakers and restaurants with small plates, as well as live music. 6-9 p.m. Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. $60. www.csustan.edu/agriculture/tastes-valley .

INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE FESTIVAL – Oct. 5: Enjoy international food, music, dance performances, children’s crafts and more at this annual event celebrating diverse heritages. Children “travel” around the world collecting stamps on their passports. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with opening ceremony at 11 a.m. Graceada Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto. Free. 209-809-4741.

CALAVERAS GRAPE STOMP & GOLD RUSH STREET FAIRE – Oct. 5: Calaveras County celebrates its wine industry with grape stomp competitions, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Gold Rush Street Faire has vendors, arts and crafts, antiques, collectibles, food, live music and family activities from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Grape stomp at Murphys Community Park, street fair on Main Street in Murphys. calaveraswines.org .

FALLING LEAF BOUTIQUE & PANTRY – Oct. 5: There will be an array of items for sale. 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall, First United Methodist Church Modesto, 850 16th St., Modesto. fumc@firstumcmodesto.org .

MANTECA PUMPKIN FAIR – Oct. 5-6: The fest offers entertainment, children’s activities, pumpkin events and more. Pumpkin-carving contest judging 4-5 p.m. Saturday. Car show Sunday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fair 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. Downtown Manteca. Free. www.sunrisekiwanis.org .

ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH CRAFT FAIRE – Oct. 5-6: Shop for handmade items, holiday crafts and baked goods. All proceeds benefit St. Vincent DePaul. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon Sunday. Parish Hall, 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon. 209-838-2133.

SONORA BACH FESTIVAL – Oct. 6-26: A lineup of concerts for lovers of baroque and classical music. Highlights include youth concert on Oct. 6, 3 p.m.; locals concert on Oct. 13, 3 p.m.; salon concert featuring Jason Jeffrey on Oct. 20, 3 p.m.; Bach’s Brunch on Oct. 26, 12:30 p.m. Locations, ticket prices and times vary. Details at www.sonorabach.org .

RIVERBANK CHEESE & WINE FESTIVAL – Oct. 12: Enjoy wine tastings, local cheeses, live music, dancing horses, activities for children, food, vendors and more. Wine and cheese tastings at Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St., festival in downtown Riverbank on Santa Fe between Second and Seventh streets. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free for expo; wine tastings $30 in advance, $40 at the event. riverbankcheeseandwine.com .

HARVEST FESTIFALL – Oct. 12-13: Crafts, food, demonstrations, music and more at Columbia State Historic Park. Nearly 50 vendors, dressed in 1850s attire will display their handmade arts and crafts for sale. Demonstrations of spinning and weaving by the Mother Lode Weaver & Spinners, face painting and entertainment. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Main Street. www.columbiacalifornia.com .

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS – Oct. 19: Annual traditional holiday celebrating the dead will include musical entertainment, ballet folklorico, children’s activities, altars, vendors and more. Information area with nonprofits and agencies from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Also, a free showing of the film “Coco” at 3 p.m. at the State Theatre. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at 10th and J streets, Modesto. 209-585-6590.

CALIFORNIA TAMALE FESTIVAL – Oct. 20: There will be a Tamale Alley, live music, cooking demonstrations, car and motorcycle show, home and garden display, vendors, kids zone and more. Noon-7 p.m. Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. $10 ages 11-17, $25 general, free age 10 and under. 209-840-2723 californiatamalefestival.com .

HOLIDAY BAZAAR – Oct. 26: There will be handmade crafts, gifts and holiday items, opportunity quilt, wood crafts, homemade jams/jellies and more. Soup and pie lunch for $12. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave. 209-838-2792.

ALL HALLOWS FAIRE – Oct. 26-27: This annual large festival includes live music, craft vendors, jugglers, cosplay contest, haunted house, food, drink and more. Noon-9 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, parking entry at 101 Frog Town Road, Angels Camp. $15-$30 Saturday; $10-$23 Sunday; free to age 5 and under. www.allhallowsfaire.com .