Has anyone celebrated a harvest or festival in late September/early October in Sicily? Is there a small winery you would recommend?(In Tuscany, we were at the Villa Viamaggio near Greve during the grape harvest which was very interesting and aromatic). Honey, figs, olives? Shellfish? Thank you.

I found just a few...

The festivity of the Most Holy Curcifix Parade takes place on this village's streets with gaily-dressed horses and mules. On the street corners children, who are dressed up as little angels and reciting psalms, are suspended in the air by heavy ropes as the parade passes underneath them.
Date: held on the third Sunday in September
City: Villafrati
Province: PALERMO

Feast of Saint Cosma and Saint Damiano. Sale of sweets in the streets, where portrays of the Saints are hanged.
Date: 26th
City: Palermo
Province: PALERMO

Traditional parade of decorated horses, called Cunnutta.
Date: 27th
City: Mezzojuso
Province: PALERMO

Celebration of Sicilian Honey - the sticky bee syrup is exalted for these three days as the village celebrates the many uses, the economic benefits to the region and, most of all, the delicious taste of honey. There is also a market, open-air restaurants and plenty of wine and song. The celebration dates back to 1980.
Date: the first weekend in October
City: Sortino
Province: SIRACUSA

Festival sul Novecento - Palermo, long shrouded by its reputation for poverty and organized crime, is in the process of dusting off its hidden, enchanted corners. Glorious theaters, piazzas, churches and buildings are undergoing restoration that's returning them to their original splendor, and these treasures are opened up to the public during this festival. Visitors to the Sicilian Capital will experience a panorama of contemporary culture including music, theater, films video and dance. There are also art exhibits and discussions with writers, directors and musicians whose works somehow relate to the Sicilian capital. Call 800-234169 (from within Italy) for details, schedules and further information.
Date: normally, this runs from the beginning of October through the first week of November but the date changes so it's worth checking first. In honor of the millennium celebrations in 1999, for example, the festival was extended to January 20, 2000.
Web Link: http://www.comune.palermo.it/Eventi/...Festival99.htm
City: Palermo
Province: PALERMO

This is a religious festival which is typically maritime in nature. It is divided into a series of sporting competitions which include boat races amongst the fishermen, swimming and sailing races and the sagra (village festival) of the blue fish (this means anchovies, sardines and so on). In the evening there is a parade of boats which are illuminated by flaming torches. An image of Maria, Holiest of the Light, is then taken to the sea to be blessed in the water.
Date: held on the first Sunday in October
City: Porticello Santa Flavia
Province: PALERMO

This popular celebration is held in honor of the Patron Saint and includes an important livestock fair, musical shows and an evocative evening parade.
Date: held on the first Sunday in October
City: Ventimiglia di Sicilia
Province: PALERMO

I'm "topping" this thread, because I really like your question. If you do end up seeing some of these autumn festivals in Sicily, I'll be interested in your experiences.

Try this site , they have lots of festival listed.

http://www.bestofsicily.com/magazine.htm

Thank you very much for the information on the festivals near Palermo and honey in Syracuse. I enjoyed the Best of Sicily site.