Kick off your Halloween celebration 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the annual Vera Cruz Halloween parade. The route is Main Road East, Main Road West and Vera Cruz roads.

The parade stages at Mystic Chain Park 6 p.m. The Vera Cruz Community Association will sell hot dogs, baked goods and drinks at the intersection of Main and Vera Cruz roads.

Cash prizes are awarded for individual marchers, groups and floats. Pre-registration is encouraged for groups and floats. Call Chris Barebo at 610-967-1666 or email cvbii@ ptd. net. For updates about the parade and a registration form, visit www.facebook. com/veracruzcommunity.

The rain date is Oct. 16.

Salem United Methodist Church, 6440 Powder Valley Road, Zionsville, will hold its Harvest Fest 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11. The event will include a flea market, bake sale, painted pumpkins and lunch featuring homemade soups. It will be held rain or shine in the enclosed pavilion. For information, call 610-965-6796.

Chestnut Hill Church will hold its annual yard/bake sale and electronics, tire and lead battery recycling event 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4. For more information go to www. chestnuthillchurch.org or call Debbie at 610-967-1975.

St. Peter's Union Church, 7863 St. Peter's Road, Macungie, will hold its sixth annual Baskets (and more) Event Oct. 26. Doors open 11:30 a.m. for lunch and bingo games begin 1 p.m.

The games feature prizes from Longaberger, Pampered Chef and more. There will be a raffle and door prizes. To purchase tickets in advance, call Joy Weida at 610-845-9822. Tickets purchased or reserved prior to Oct. 12 will be entered in a special early bird drawing.

On Oct. 12, Hivel Und Dahl Preservation Society will sponsor a bus tour of seven log homes in the northern portion of the Lehigh County Log Cabin Trail. Greg Huber of Past Perspectives will be the tour guide. The tour leaves 1 p.m. from the Shelter House on South 4th Street, Emmaus and return time is estimated to be between 5 and 6 p.m. Hot dogs and beverages will be served following the return. The Shelter House will also be open then for those who want to tour.

There is a charge which includes the bus and refreshments. If interested, contact Bruce Mordaunt at 610-395-9836.

The Haunted Woods will again be open at 7125 Carls Hill Road, Zionsville, this Halloween season. All proceeds benefit the Bethlehem Special Olympics. The woods are open 6:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25. Discretion is advised for children under nine. There is a charge per car to enter the woods.

Look for signs on Route 29/100. For information, call 610-317-6033 or email mamasroom13@earthlink.net.

Celebrate Halloween safely at the annual Light in the Night Block Party, sponsored by the Upper Milford Mennonite Church. This family event will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26 in the township building.

The Upper Milford Historical Society will hear a presentation about the Pennsylvania German (Dutch) dialect from Vernon Frederick and others at its Oct. 30 meeting. The meeting will be held 7 p.m. at the Upper Milford Township building. Members and guests are welcome.

Upper Milford Fire Company, Route 100, Old Zionsville, serves breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 5, all you care to eat. There are senior, adult and children's prices. The November breakfast is Nov. 1. For information, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902.

The Emmaus-Upper Milford Joint Environmental Advisory Council will meet 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 in Emmaus.

Lower Milford Fire Company, 1601 Limeport Pike, will hold its next pork and sauerkraut dinner 4:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9. Take out or eat in.

The fire company will serve breakfast 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26.

The Lower Milford Historical Society meets 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Lower Milford Township building. For more information, go to the website, LowerMilfordHistory.org.

The Upper Milford Western District Fire Co. #1 Ladies Auxiliary meets 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the firehouse. New members are always welcome.

Following is the schedule of Lower Milford October meetings. All meetings are 7:30 p.m. in the township building unless otherwise noted: planning commission, Oct. 6; recreation and open space committee, Oct. 8; historical commission, Oct. 14; board of supervisors Oct. 16.

If you have news or information for this column, which runs the first Wednesday of every month, call me at 610-838-8923 or email me at bruce.swan@rcn.com. My deadline is the Wednesday prior to publication.