It will depend if we have a hot dry summer or a cool wet summer.. Last year was cool and wet and we had some of the best colors every it was also early and they all seemed to pop at the same time. This year is setting up to be hot and dry so unless it cools off before Sep it may be a little later 2nd-3rd week in Oct and it would be more gradual.
It also depends where you are.
We get color change almost a full 2 weeks later then in the mountains and hour away.
I have never been to state collage so I dont know about the quilt shops and must see's. I hope you have a good visit and find some quilting thing to get into :D