The Friends of the 1803 House have exciting plans for the Oct. 4 A Very Merrie Halloween Craft Show and Festival. Kids of all ages are welcome to come in costume. The 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. festival held on the grounds of the historic house, 55 S. Keystone Ave., features storytelling and games, a Halloween costume parade and a visit from the Wildlands Conservancy with some "scary" wild creatures. There will be a baking contest, tours of the historic house, a haunted gingerbread house display and juried crafts and art for sale. Pork dinners will be available catered by Smokin' Smitty's Catering in Emmaus. Take out orders will be available. Proceeds benefit the preservation and maintenance of the 1803 House. For information, call 610-965-5037 or visit www. 1803house.org.

The Emmaus Lions Club is holding its annual clam chowder sale Oct. 4 at Emmaus Community Park. An interesting tidbit about the history of this fundraiser is listed on the club's website: "Years ago the water came from a small stream running through Emmaus Community Park and the clams came from the Jersey Shore. The cast iron kettle originally used was heated by wood fires set up along the stream in case of fire. Everything was made by hand by the Lion volunteers. Today the clam chowder is still made in cast iron kettles with a ceramic coating on the inside. The club now uses gas instead of wood to heat the eight kettles. The club prepares 35 to 37 kettles of clam chowder at each of its two sales (May and October)." Orders can be placed by calling 610-765-7355. Pick up is 7 a.m. to noon. For information, visit emmauslionsclub.com.

Registration for the kick off for the Emmaus Arts Commission's 10th annual student horror film festival is 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Emmaus High School administration building, 800 Pine St. Participants then have 96 hours to complete their films which will be judged by a panel of professionals. Winning films are shown at the Emmaus Theater 2 p.m. Oct. 26. For information, visit emmausarts.org/ student-horror-film-festival.

It's that time of the year for the eagerly awaited annual Emmaus Halloween parade. The parade begins 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 with a rain date of 6:30 p.m. Oct. 19. Come out and join thousands of attendees standing along the parade route, sometimes three to four people deep, and be treated to ghostly sights, marching units and musical treats. However, the parade could not function without volunteers and monetary donations. The organizers welcome volunteers, especially parade division captains and information people for the night of the parade. If you are interested, the committee meets 7 p.m. Thursdays in council chambers, 28 S. Fourth St. For information, call 610-965-6250 or visit EmmausParade@aol.com.

Stake out your viewing spot early because about 30 minutes prior to the parade, there will be runners decked out in creative and bizarre costumes participating in the eighth annual National Penn Bank Halloween in Emmaus 5K race. Proceeds from the race benefit the Emmaus Halloween Parade and the Emmaus park system. The race starts 7 p.m. at the corner of Ninth and Chestnut streets. Cash prizes are awarded to the top runners and costume contest winners. For information, visit Emmaus5k.com.

All senior citizens over the age of 55 are invited to the Emmaus Senior Citizens' meetings at St. Matthew's E.C. Church, Ridge and Fifth streets. The group meets 1 p.m. The program lineup for October is Oct. 3: Sally from the Lehigh Valley; Oct. 10: Sing for America, a musical group from Easton; Oct. 17: state Rep. Ryan MacKenzie, Rep. 134th; Oct. 24: musician Rick Roberts and Oct. 31 is Game Day. For information, call 610-966-4273.

The Emmaus Public Library has many children's programs scheduled in October. Registration is required for many of the children's programs: Stars story times (3, 4 and 5 year olds) will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays starting Sept. 30; Suns story times (2 year olds) will be 10:30 a.m. Thursdays starting Oct. 2. Reading Adventure (second and third graders) will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays starting Oct. 6. There are several block parties scheduled according to ages. No registration is required for block parties. Literary Lunch for grades six to eight will be held noon Oct. 11. Literary Lunch Jr. for grades four and five will be held noon Oct. 25. Teen Read for grades nine through 12 is held 6 p.m. Oct. 16. Fun Family Film Night features a magical boy who finds a new home at a faraway school 6 p.m. Oct. 23. Be sure to visit 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30 during Emmaus' Trick or Treat Night. The library staff would love to see the costumes. The adult book discussion group meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. Movie Night for adults is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 28. The title of the film will be posted in the library.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health will hold a monthly blood pressure screening at the library. The first one is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 27. Appointments may be scheduled through the Department of Health at 610-821-6770, but are not required. For information, stop by the library, 11 E. Main St., visit Emmauspl.org or call 610-965-9284.

If you are interested in local history, the Emmaus Historical Society museum, 563 Chestnut St., is a great place to visit. The museum is open noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The museum will be decorated for Halloween through Oct. 31. There will also be displays of past Halloween parades. The topic for the group's 7 p.m. Oct. 15 meeting at St. John's Lutheran Church, Fifth and Chestnut streets, is "Alice Reiner-Lady Wanderer." Betty Krauss will portray and tell the story of Reiner who walked and lived off the streets of Emmaus and nearby communities. For information, visit emmaushist@ ptd.net or call 610-966-6591

The Concerned East Penn Taxpayers Association will hold a meeting Oct. 21 at Fire Company #1, 50 S. Sixth St., featuring Dan Meuser, Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue, who will explain how the Pennsylvania public pension crisis will affect us. The meetings are open to the public. Doors open 7:15 p.m. and the meeting starts 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be available. For information, visit ceptapa@ gmail.com or call 610-965-3556.

The Emmaus Farmers' Market is open rain or shine 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays at the Emmaus National Penn Bank parking lot, 235 Main St. There will be an apple tasting feature Oct. 5 and Halloween at the Market will be celebrated Oct. 26. For information, visit www. emmausmarket.com.

Emmaus Borough Council meets 7 p.m. Oct. 6 and 20 in council chambers at borough hall, 28 S. Fourth St.

Compost site hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Oct. 11.

The electronics recycling site is open noon to 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month. For information, visit borough.emmaus.pa.us or call 610-965-9292.

The Emmaus Main Street Partners is holding Bucks, Bags & Bling Bingo 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 26 at St. John's UCC, 139 N. Fourth St. Doors open noon. Refreshments will be available for purchase. For information, visit emmausmainstreet.com.

Please send information about upcoming events to Corrine Durdock at Durdock@aol.com or 913 Little Lehigh Dr. or call 610-967-2661. The deadline for the next Emmaus events column is Oct. 15 for publication Oct. 22.

The borough's Trick or Treat Night is 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30. Please drive carefully since many ghosts and goblins will be out that night.