October 12 – Set against this year’s spectacular fall foliage, Halloween season is here. With several news reports noting sharp increases in candy prices, I’m listing upcoming events to help the kiddos plan their annual candy haul.

The biggest is the Barryville Farmers Market’s annual Halloween & Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is also the final Farmers’ Market of the 2026 season, so before the Halloween high jinks begin, you can stock up on fresh produce from your favourite vendors. The festival will feature a chili cook-off, with a trophy for the winner. Last year, fifteen contestants entered; market visitors paid $5 to sample every chili and voted for the best, and a venison-based chili took the trophy. The Jeiris Cook Band will provide live music for the Market. Local astronauts, witches, ghosts, goblins, and other costumed participants can also compete for prizes in pet, child, and adult costume categories—and the competition is tough, with many wonderful costumes.

The much-anticipated finale is a parade of costumed Halloween revellers from the Farmers’ Market along River Road to the cul-de-sac for a Trunk & Treat. I participated last year and will again this year; the kids had a wonderful time and collected plenty of candy. More vehicles are needed for the Trunk & Treat, and trunk decorations are optional. To participate, contact Mary Jones Mellett at mjonesmellett@gmail.com or 917-593-0307. For the Farmers’ Market Halloween schedule and details as to how to enter the Chili Contest, visit barryvillefarmersmarket.org.

The Town of Highland Lions Club is getting into the Halloween spirit at its October meeting on Wednesday, October 21, starting at 2 p.m. at the Senior Center, 725 Route 55. Along with its annual Halloween party for members, the meeting will feature “Meet the Candidates” presentations.

Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween night! The Yulan Fire Department will host its Annual Linda Bohs Memorial Trunk n Treat on October 31 at the Yulan Ball Field, 10 Park Road in Yulan, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Parents and other community members are invited to come and join the festivities and hand out candy (trunk decorations are optional) and please arrive between 4:30-4:45pm to set up. Everyone from the community is invited to attend and children can wear costumes and trick or treat in a safe environment. For information visit the Yulan Fire Department’s Facebook page.

Calling all little ghosts and goblins ages 12 and younger! The Lumberland Fire Department and the Town of Lumberland Parks and Recreation Department are teaming up for a fun Trunk & Treat on Saturday, October 31, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Circle Park, 1025 Proctor Road, next to Lumberland Town Hall. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and please leave pets at home. Want to add to the spooky scenery? Drop off a carved pumpkin at the event to help decorate Circle Park. Three $25 gift certificates will be awarded for the scariest, silliest, and most original pumpkin creations. To volunteer or learn more, visit the Lumberland Fire Department’s Facebook page.