A warming trend over much of the U.S. for the next week or so should be making you giddy, especially since there are so many outdoor fall events happening this weekend, including pig and beer, apples and alpacas, wine and cheese and farm and art. Get the car ready Gertrude, we're ready to roll.

Killer Road Trip: Swine and Stein Octoberfest

Saturday, October 10—Gardiner

Get your porky goodness on with the 6th Annual Swine & Stein Octoberfest, trifecta of beer, food, and music. A beer tasting will showcase the incredible diversity and quality of Maine craft beers. In celebration of local Maine agriculture, fine restaurants and local food vendors from Gardiner and across the state will serve up a variety of interesting culinary dishes featuring local pork along with other quality menu items. Adding to the festivities, a line-up of favorite and emerging Maine bands will entertain throughout the day.11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. downtown Gardiner. $15 in advance, $20 day of, $15 designated driver. FMI: visit gardinermainstreet.org

Belfast Area Farm and Art Fall Tour

Saturday, October 10 to Sunday, October 11—Belfast

Hosted by Belfast Creative Coalition, check out these free, open studio and farm tours with special workshops and demonstrations. Visitors can observe artists working in their studios, watch a glass blowing demonstration and learn how farmers create artistic consumer products from what they cultivate. The event goes from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. FMI: call 323-8692 or visit BelfastCreative-Coalition.org.

Hope Orchards Fall Festival

Sunday, October 11—Hope

Hope Orchards will be at the top of their apple harvest, with an interesting mix of arts, crafts, music, and food. Come by to check out artist and craftsperson's wares, apple pizza and other edibles, alpacas, music by Rosie and the Wayfaring Stranger, who play 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. The entire event goes from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. FMI visit: hopeorchards.com

Cheese, Music & Wine

Sunday, October 11—Midcoast

‘Tis the season to have any excuse to jump in the car and go leaf peeping en route to a cool destination. In this case, it’s Open Creamery Day, where local cheesemakers open their farms and establishments to the public with cheese samplings, cheese making demos, music, food, and in some places, complimentary wine tastings. Participating in the Midcoast are: Appleton Creamery, Breakwater Vineyards, State of Maine Cheese Company. The events are open 11:00 to 3 p.m. FMI: visit Maine Cheese Guild

Snow Bowl Chair Lift Rides

Sunday, October 11—Camden

This has got to be one of my all-time favorite Cheap Dates activities in the Midcoast. Every October, the Camden Snow Bowl opens up their chairlift for rides to the top of Ragged Mountain. You can either walk down or ride down, but bring a picnic and a camera and enjoy the spectacular view. Goes from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. The only down side is they upped their prices to $10 per adult (it used to be $5) per ride. Kids ride for $5. However, (and this is kind of random), the Snow Bowl is advertising that “Those arriving to ride the chair in formal wedding attire will receive free rides and qualify for prizes.”