The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome will host its annual Pumpkin Festival on October 8 and 9, signifying the colorful shift from summer to fall as well as the coming end of its own 2011 show season. The Festival will incorporate the Aerodrome’s popular aviation show with the sights, sounds and smells of the harvest.

“It’s essentially to draw attention to the fact that the Hudson Valley and the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome are just beautiful venues for the fall season, and we want to be part of that celebration,” said Aerodrome spokesman Don Fleming. “We have an antique ground show that involves aircraft and combat configurations. On some occasions we substitute pumpkins for the vessels.”

The Aerodrome has been holding its Pumpkin Festival since 2006, a popular event that brings in people from as far north as Canada and as far south as Virginia. “We’ll get 400 to 500 people on a sunny day where the foliage is really enhanced, sometimes more,” Fleming said. “Fall is always a popular time for us, and people who are familiar with aviation almost treat the Aerodrome like a Mecca.”

Admission to the Festival is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and teens and $10 for kids. For more information, visit www.oldrhinebeck.org.