Haunting Halloween Happenings Abound in Easton

While Halloween doesn't officially happen until next Thursday, October 31, the immense popularity of the holiday means many will get into the spirit of things this weekend. And, there are plenty of opportunities for both children and adults in Easton to enjoy it!

Here's what's happening in and around Easton...

For all ages

 The Easton Farmers’ Market will host the 16th annual Scarecrow Fest this Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Centre Square. While not strictly a Halloween happening, this annual harvest event is a great way to enjoy the season. A scarecrow building contest is the highlight--for $10, including all you need, including expert assistance from the EFM scarecrow techs, build your own scarecrow that can be either left to display on the Centre Square or taken home with you after the event. Participants are also welcome to bring their own "add-ons" or clothing to customize their scarecrow creations. Contest categories include the funniest, most artful, scariest, most glamorous, and cutest scarecrows, along with the best character look-alike scarecrow and the one judged to be the best designed by a group. Judging takes place at 1:30 p.m., and prizes include Downtown Easton gift cards, gift certificates for the State Theatre, Purple Cow Creamery, Carmelcorn Shop, and a variety of Crayola products and Easton Farmers’ Market merchandise. Other activities throughout the day include a pumpkin bake-off at 11 a.m., live music featuring Chuck Shaffer and Fool Moon Howlin', pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, Halloween games, harvest storytime and a giant corn play pit. For more information, visit www.EastonFarmersMarket.com

"Jay's Halloween Bowling Fund Raiser" happens on Saturday, October 26 from 4 to 10 p.m. at Bar-Don Lanes, 3700 Nicholas St. in Palmer Township. All proceeds benefit the Bowen family, whose father passed away suddenly in May, leaving behind his wife and five children, the youngest of which was born in September. Tickets to the event are $15 and include three games. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes awarded for the best, and a 50/50 drawing and a silent raffle will all be part of the event too. Call 610-258-0221 for more details.

The Northampton County Miracle League will hold a trick-or-treat at the Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road in Palmer Township on Saturday, October 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday, October 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The annual Great Halloween Parade of Phillipsburg/Easton takes place on Sunday, October 27 at 3 p.m. and is expected to draw a crowd of more than 5,000 as local groups and individuals scarily strut their stuff in celebration of the spookiest day of the year. Beginning in Phillipsburg, NJ, at McKeen Street, the parade proceeds over the free bridge to Easton and up Northampton Street, ultimately ending in Centre Square.

Unlike some places, which "reschedule" Halloween to a weekend or some other "more convenient" time, the City of Easton and all the surrounding municipalities, including Wilson Borough, West Easton, Glendon, Palmer Township, Forks Township, and Williams Township all honor the holiday in the traditional manner with official trick-or-treat times on Thursday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.

A "Truck or Treat" event will be hosted by Green Pastures Community Church at 28 North 10th St. in Easton on Thursday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m., offering neighborhood children goodies and various activities. Call 610-253-8001 for more details.

And, Easton's Weed and Seed organization will again host "Light the Night", on Thursday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m., offering an evening of fun activities and safe trick-or-treating in Centennial Park, on the corner of South 12th and Ferry streets. The event will happen rain or shine.

For adults:

 

Kicking off the spooky festivities of the weekend, Mothers Bar & Grill, at 3 Lehn's Court just off of Centre Square will hold a Halloween bash beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 25. Headliner Gloominous Doom will be joined by Super Truck, Chinga, Skinneo, Vengents, and Anticitizen, promising a headbanging good time all night. Call 610-253-1012 for more details.


The 10th Annual Haunted Easton Tour happens again this Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 at 8 p.m. "Join our guides and ghouls for hysterics and history in the labyrinth streets of Easton; reaping centuries of fact and fiction." Tickets are $10 per person. No pets, strollers, or smoking on the tour. This tour is not for the faint of heart, it's a brisk walk through a labyrinth of back alleys in Easton's Historic Downtown. Tour is not recommended for young children due to scary stories and adult language. All children must be accompanied by an adult and pay the full ticket price.  Tour meets on Centre Square, in front of the Crayola Experience. Click here for more details or to purchase advance tickets online.

Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, just off Centre Square at 5 Lehn's Court,  is celebrating the coming of Halloween all weekend with a "Heaven and Hell" theme.  Friday, October 25, Philadelphia Funk Authority plays at 7:30 p.m., and DJ LAX takes over at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, October 26, Uncle Rocco takes the stage at 7:30 p.m., and DJ Mike West rocks the house at 10 p.m. $500 in cash prizes for costumes are promised for both evenings. Sunday, October 27, the bar will host a block party from 4 to 8 p.m. outside the bar.

Drinky's, at 5 Centre Square, will also celebrate Halloween early, with a Halloween bash on  Saturday, 26. Up to $500 in cash and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, with Jamal Knight entertaining the crowd all night.

Benefiting the American Lung Association, a "Winter Wonderland Masquerade Gala" will be held on Saturday, October 26 from 6 to 11 p.m. at The Eastonian Holiday Inn Express, 90 Kunkle Drive in Palmer Township. Tickets are $150 per person or $275 per couple, and include an elegant multi-course dinner, dancing, games, live and silent auctions, and more. Formal attire and a mask are suggested, with awards to be distributed for the best costumes. Click here for more details.

An "Orange and Black Dance" is set for Saturday, October 26 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road in Palmer Township. The $10 per person admission includes live music by King Henry & The Showmen, and wearing something orange and black or a Halloween costume is encouraged. Prizes will be awarded for the best outfits. Call 610-258-4461 for more information.

Batuque's Bloody Halloween Bash is set for Saturday, October 26 from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Promising a "hauntingly good party", tickets to this event are $10 in advance or $15 at the door, available at the restaurant. Admission includes a dance party with DJ TEEZ, "tasty tricks and treats", drink specials, finger food, beer pong, glow sticks and a best costume contest at midnight. Batuque is located at 154 Northampton St.--call them for more details at 610-250-7171 or check out their website at www.batuquepa.com

Pearly Baker's Alehouse, at 11 Centre Square, will host a party on Halloween night, with DJ Richie R keeping the crowd energized beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Porters' Pub 24th annual Halloween Bash happens on Halloween night. A pumpkin carving contest ("we'll supply the pumkins, sharp knives and alcohol. You supply the talent!"), bobbing for apples, and a costume contest are all part of the fun. Located on the corner of Seventh and Northampton streets, Porters' has an outstanding collection of craft brews, with many seasonal selections including pumpkin beer and hard ciders too.

La Pazza Bar, on the corner of South 13th and Ferry streets, will be hosting what are probably the most creative and unusual Halloween events in Easton over two nights, starting on Halloween evening. "Return of the Living Mullet" on Thursday, October 31 from 8 p.m. to midnight will offer a
"Best in Show" prize for the best mullet, music jams, and "scary fun". Those wearing a mullet will get a free Jell-O shot too. And, for those still looking for spooky and surrealistic fun on Friday, November 1 (All Saints' Day, no less!), a tribute to the quintessential counterculture drag queen of the 20th century, "A Night of 1,000 Divines" should fit the bill perfectly. "Stuff it, fluff it, fill it out... it's time for your Divine close-up." A "Best in Show" prize will go to the best Divine costume, but even if dressing in drag isn't your thing, we'd be there just for the view! More info about both events is at www.lapazza.com or call 610-515-0888.