Groups across Northeast Pennsylvania will celebrate the spooky season with loads of activities over the next few weeks.

 

Chili-fest

The annual Fall Chili-fest will be held at the Community Bible Church Ministry Center, 1700 Heart Lake Road (SR107), on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All sorts of chili will be available. The Skylands’ Dulcimer String Band will provide music. For more information call pastor Jay Best at 570-604-1455 or visit facebook.com/CBCGreenfieldTwp.PA.

 

Fall festival

The Stewart Memorial UM Church, 174 N. Main St., Old Forge will host a fall festival Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Features homemade food, crafts, white elephant table and books.St. George Orthodox Church’s Annual Ethnic Food Festival: Saturday, Oct. 5, noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 6, noon to 6 p.m. at the church grounds, 745 South Keyser Ave., Taylor. The event will include holupki, pierogie, haluski, kielbasa, clam chowder, potato pancakes and more.

 

Turkey dinner

St. John Vianney Parish of Montdale and Royal will host its annual Harvest Festival turkey dinner on Sunday, Oct. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 704 Montdale Road, in Montdale. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. Tickets may be purchased at the door and include a turkey dinner. Take-outs are available. The Harvest Festival will also feature a 50/50 cash raffle, free hay ride (weather permitting), as well as several booths with chances to win wreaths and wall hangings or gift certificates for various local restaurants. As always, the baskets and homemade baked goods stands will be available as well.

 

Fall fundraiser trip

Visitation of the BVM Church will host a bus trip Wednesday, Oct. 9, to Woodloch Pines for dinner and a show. Cost of $70 per person includes bus, family-style dinner, show and tip. Bus leaves Visitation of the BVM Church, 619 Dundaff St., Dickson City at 4:15 p.m. Stop in or mail your payment to the parish office at 1090 Carmalt St., Dickson City, Pa 18519. Call 570-489-2091 for more information.

 

West Pittston Library Scary Stories Book Club

The club meets at 4:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 10, 17 and 24. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a notorious book series containing frightening short stories based on urban legends. It’s recently been made into a movie, and now it’s a scary (but fun) book club! No need to read ahead of time. Each week the book club will read selections from each book together, talk about what makes them so scary, or not, complete some fun activities related to the series and enjoy some snacks. Registration for this free event must be done in advance and can be done in person or by calling 570-654-9847. The library does not accept registrations through Facebook.

Haunted Gettysburg bus trip

The Taylor Community Library, in conjunction with all other Lackawanna County Library System libraries, is sponsoring a teen Haunted Gettysburg bus trip on Oct. 12. The cost for the trip, which is for ages 12-18, is $15. It will include a licensed tour guide for the Gettysburg National Battlefield and Cemetery and private tours of either the Jennie Wade House or the Haunted Orphanage. The library will supply the chaperones. Tickets can be purchased at any county library on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is only confirmed with full payment.

 

Oktoberfest bar hop

The Avoca Community Committee will host an Oktoberfest bar hop throughout Avoca starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. The participating bars include Litzy’s Lounge, Ernie G.’s, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8335, Boozer’s Sports Bar, McAlpine Street Pub and Pizza and the West Side Social Club. The cost is $25 per person, which includes a custom T-shirt, transportation around town, drink specials, giveaways and  entertainment. To register, contact Colleen Velehoski, Holly Homschek or Kelly O’Brien via Facebook. For details, visit the Avoca CC Facebook page.

 

Annual Children’s Halloween Parade and Party

Blakely Borough is holding its annual Children’s Halloween Parade and Party on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Blakely Hose Company, 315 Second St. Refreshments will be served, and all children get a Halloween treat bag. For more information, call 570 383-3340.

 

Pittston Twp. Recreation Board Halloween party

The Pittston Twp. Recreation Board’s Halloween party is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at St. Joseph Marello Parish Center, 237 William St., Pittston. The party will include music, dancing, food, refreshments, door prizes, and of course a Halloween costume contest. Anyone who attends is asked to please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local food bank. For information, please call the Pittston Twp. Municipal Building at 570-654-0161.

 

Jenkins Twp. Halloween Party

Jenkins Twp.’s Halloween party also is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Jenkins Twp. Hose Company, 2 Second St. All children from the township are welcome. Food and refreshments will be available. Prizes will be given away and there also will be a costume contest to determine which contest is the funniest, scariest, most original, and ugliest and cutest. For information, please call the Jenkins Twp. Municipal Building at 570-654-3315.

 

Fall Festival and Open House

The Sports Factory of NEPA, 8 Riverside Drive, White Mills, will hold a fall festival and open house on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will include a costume contest, games, a chance to win prizes including free sports classes, and more. For details, call 570) 352-3801 or visit sportsfactorynepa.com.

 

Halloween party

Duryea Sons of the American Legion Post 585 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1227 will host a children’s Halloween costume party from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the VFW, 492 Stephenson St. Children ages infant to 12 years old are invited to attend and will be treated to hot dogs, pizza, snacks, beverages and candy. There also will be a costume contest with prizes, games and entertainment. All guests must pre-register at the VFW or the American Legion, 329 Main St., by Wednesday, Oct. 23.

 

Legion Halloween party for adults

Duryea American Legion Brennan Regan Post 585 will host a Halloween party for adults from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 26, at the post home, 329 Main St. There will be a costume contest with cash prizes and live entertainment by The Rock and Roll Guys.