Editor’s note: Below is a sampling of events that are coming to Franklin County to help residents celebrate Halloween. Additional music-related events will be highlighted in Thursday’s Sounds Local column.

Pine Hill Orchards collaborates with library

COLRAIN — The Griswold Memorial Library and Pine Hill Orchards are teaming up once again to host an outdoor Halloween event at the orchard, located at 248 Greenfield Road, on Saturday, Oct. 29, starting at 11 a.m.

Entertainment will include local puppeteer “Mr. Dave” Herrera and Percy the Dragon. Ideal for families with children up to 6 years old.

Attendees can also carve pumpkins for Colrain’s “Ooky Spooky Bridge.” These jack-o’-lanterns will be brought to the historic Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge for an event on Monday, Oct. 31, at 4:30 p.m. when the pumpkins will be lit. Visitors can drive through the covered bridge to enjoy a range of family-friendly but spooky decorations.

The library will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31. Besides candy, each visitor will receive a literacy tip to help encourage healthy reading habits.

Orange holding first Pumpkin Festival

ORANGE — The first Orange Pumpkin Festival — with a haunted house, carved pumpkin contest, outdoor games, and food and craft vendors — is planned for the Revival Wheeler Mansion at 75 East Main St. from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. There is an Oct. 30 rain date.

The Selectboard’s recommended trick-or-treating hours are 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. However, people are free to trick-or-treat whenever they want.

Police plan annual party and hayride in Deerfield

DEERFIELD — The Deerfield Police Department’s annual Halloween party and hayride will be held Sunday, Oct. 30.

Beginning at 5:45 p.m., folks are invited to Deerfield Elementary School for the Halloween celebration. The hayrides will begin at 6 p.m. Treats and refreshments will be served at 6:45 p.m.

In the event of rain, the hayrides will be canceled, but treats and refreshments will still take place.

Shelburne Grange preps for annual party

SHELBURNE FALLS — The Shelburne Grange’s annual Halloween party will be held Monday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. at Fellowship Hall, located at 17 Little Mohawk Road.

The event will include a parade, games, crafts and refreshments. For more information, call 413-297-5700.

The Pumpkin Patch returns for second year

TURNERS FALLS — The Pumpkin Patch trick-or-treating event will return to The Patch neighborhood for a second year on Monday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 9 p.m.

In addition to decorated “candy shanties” and area houses participating in the trick-or-treat, attendees are invited to enjoy live music, performers, a children’s activities tent, arts and crafts vendors, food and an “Enchanted Forest Walk” at I Street and 12th Street.

Locals are encouraged to decorate and register their own candy shanty. Registration for shanties, vendors, volunteers and nonprofits can be completed through eternalblissbody.com.

Fourth annual Trek @ Tech returns inside

TURNERS FALLS — Franklin County Technical School will host its annual Trek @ Tech on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event moves back inside the school this year, with decorations, costumes and treats.

Trunk-or-treat planned in Leyden

LEYDEN — A trunk-or-treat will be held at Avery Field on Brattleboro Road on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded for best children’s costume as well as best trunk decorations. Depending on the weather, the event may change to a drive-thru model in the Town Office parking lot.

Downtown Greenfield holding costume contest, film screening and more

GREENFIELD — In addition to the Rag Shag Parade, the city will celebrate the holiday with trick-or-treating, a costume contest and a free showing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

Downtown trick-or-treating will take place on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Reflective bags will be available on the Greenfield Common.

At 5 p.m., the Garden Cinemas will screen “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

The Rag Shag Parade, which will begin at 5:30 p.m., starts at Mohawk Mall and ends at Energy Park, where the costume contest will be held.

Rag Shag Parades to be held throughout county

Towns across Franklin County will hold their annual Rag Shag Parades to celebrate Halloween. The generations-old tradition classically consists of the parade, candy distribution and a costume showcase.

Atypically held on Sunday, Oct. 30, Erving’s parade will begin after a trunk-or-treat candy giveaway at the Senior and Community Center at 6 p.m. Participants will march along Route 63 to Veteran’s Memorial Park and Field, where a “sweet treat” for all ages will be provided.

Other towns will hold their parades of Halloween Day, Oct. 31. Ashfield’s parade will begin at around 6:15 p.m. at Neighbors Convenience Store and will proceed toward the Fire Station with trick-or-treating along the way. The Lion’s Club will serve apple cider and doughnuts at the Fire Station. Northfield’s parade will begin at 6 p.m., starting at Town Hall and finishing at Northfield Elementary School, where candy will be given out to children. Shelburne Falls’ parade will begin at 6 p.m., starting at The Blue Rock Restaurant and finishing at the Eagles Club, where refreshments will be served. Turners Falls’ parade will begin after a costume contest in the parking lot of Aubuchon Hardware at around 5 p.m. The parade will finish at the Great Falls Discovery Center.

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