Best bets for the weekend

On this first weekend of autumn, it's only fitting to think about harvest time and changing leaves. So plan your Saturday for a visit to some of your favorite King County agricultural outposts (see our Weekend Highlight about farm tours), and try to get over Stevens Pass for Leavenworth's tribute to autumn color (but first learn why a vine maple goes berserk this time of year, in our Q&A with an arborist). And that's not all that's on the to-do list. Find these in our calendar of weekend events, or search on seattletimes.com/listings:

You otter go: Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and the Seattle Aquarium both have special programs honoring sea otters this weekend. Go and get better acquainted with these charming creatures that like to float on their backs like resort guests at a swim-up bar.

A delicious idea: Festa Italiana livens up the Seattle Center with music, dancing, food, a grape stomp, food, classic cars, a film festival and, oh did we mention, food?

Old town, old cars: Get a free look at hundreds of classic cars, and maybe do a little antique shopping for the spare room, in historic Snohomish, during the Snohomish Classic Car and Hot Rod Display.

So long to summer: OK, summer is actually already on its way to Puerto Vallarta, but if you need a final fix, try the closing weekend for the Butterflies and Blooms seasonal exhibit at Woodland Park Zoo, where you walk among 1,000 free-flying butterflies — some of which might land on you if you stand still long enough. ("Does this tiger swallowtail make me look fat?")

Twilight tour: It seems a tad ironic that they're leading tours-by-flashlight of the historic townsite of Cedar Falls, touted as the birthplace of Seattle City Light. But just pretend there's been a big windstorm and the power is out. It could be kind of spooky, and October is coming.

He's a lumberjack and he's OK: Sing the song at the lumberjack show this weekend during Port Gamble Old Mill Days and Forest Festival in the quaint Kitsap County town, which looks like a transplanted piece of New England.

Island idyll: If your mainland life is plagued by diesel fumes from the Hummer in front of you at the stoplight and you yearn for fresh and salty breezes, Puget Sound isn't lacking for islands. Head for Bainbridge Island Harvest Fair or the Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour.