Hello, my fellow Northampton residents! As you’ve probably noticed, the days are getting darker earlier and there’s that certain chill in the air, alerting us fall has arrived here in eastern Pennsylvania.

As I travel throughout town, it’s hard not to notice the festive Halloween decorations popping up, highlighting the “black and orange” color scheme Northampton is known for.

Each year, I can’t help but notice not just how many more homes are decorated but how much more elaborate and detailed these scenes are. The imagination that goes into planning these scenes should not go unappreciated. If you’re a fan of the Halloween season, you’ll surely be satisfied with the many haunting scenes around town.

Now to the really important events this month, along with pumpkin-spiced everything! With two of Northampton’s most traditional October events coming up, I’d like you to mark your calendars so you won’t miss either. I’m referring to our Jack Frost Parade and trick-or-treat night.

As they’ve done so successfully before, the Northampton Exchange Club will again host this year’s parade. The parade will begin 7 p.m. Oct. 15, starting at our fire station on Lerchenmiller Drive.

From there, the parade will turn left onto Smith Lane, then a right turn at Laubach Avenue. Proceeding north on Laubach Avenue past the community center and high school, we’ll then take another left onto 19th Street. Continuing down 19th Street, we’ll take that big left turn onto Main Street. Traveling down Main Street, we’ll finish this seasonal celebration back onto Lerchenmiller Drive.

As the parade draws viewers from across the Lehigh Valley, be sure to get here early to secure your favorite spot along the route. Parents, as your children may be eagerly trying to snatch up every piece of candy during the parade, please keep your children a safe distance away from the vehicles. The last thing I want is to see is a child injured over a sweet treat. Enjoy the parade for all the pageantry that it is, but be safe and stay out of the street.

We’re proud to continue this tradition as the Jack Frost Parade is one of the longest-running parades in the Lehigh Valley. Thank you, Northampton Exchange Club, for continuing to bring us this event.

Later in the month, the time-honored Oct. 31 trick-or-treat night will be held 6-8 p.m.

As Oct. 31 falls on a Saturday this year, I expect there will be that much more activity, both with the number of trick-or-treaters and your generous response. Every year, I’m more thankful so many households “treat” the children year after year. Kudos to you! It gives these youngsters a fun core memory of Halloween.

As I join police Chief Bryan Kadingo in our safety patrol throughout town that night, I can’t help but be impressed by the imagination and creativity the kids put into making their costumes so unique. I’m also very happy to see many parents joining their children to provide that extra layer of safety and enjoy the fun of trick or treating.

Lastly, I want to give you a heads up concerning the Cementon-Northampton Bridge construction. I was told by a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation representative the bridge will be completed by the end of October, with no further complete shutdowns. The deck of the bridge will be paved one side at a time, mostly on overnight shifts.

That still means there will be one-lane traffic and major backups and delays at times on Route 329 (21st Street). Be patient, or find another route to your destination. We’re almost there!

Along with the bridge construction, our public works department continues to refurbish Canal Park’s D&L Trail with new and improved asphalt paving with no more bumps and holes. I look forward to its completion in the near future and a bike ride along the newly paved trail, enjoying the smooth ride and colorful fall scenery along the riverfront. Join me!

For now, enjoy the cooler weather and all of the Halloween revelry this season brings. Take care of each other.