GREENFIELD — Pumpkins will glow nightly the week leading up to Halloween in the garden of the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home, and new this year will be the addition of homemade scarecrows.
It’s the second year for the Festival of Jack-o-Lanterns that organizers say was well received last year, when families were just ready to get out and enjoy some normalcy and Halloween festivities.
Carve your pumpkin in a carving workshop Oct. 24, or bring one from home and enter a contest for the best-carved pumpkins. This year homemade scarecrows will be added to the gardens and throughout downtown Greenfield, and local residents are encouraged to simply visit and stroll the grounds for free any night leading up to Halloween.
And there are plenty more haunts and hangouts around Hancock County this month. Here’s a look at local Halloween festivities. Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. If you know of an upcoming Hancock County Halloween event that’s not listed here, email us at dr-editorial@greenfield reporter.com.
Tuesday, Oct. 19
Pumpkin decorating, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at both branches of the Hancock County Public Library. Register at hcplibrary.org.
Wednesday, Oct. 20
October Mini Art Courses through Greenfield Parks Department for grades kindergarten to third at 4:30 p.m.; grades fourth through sixth at 6 p.m. Visit parks.greenfieldin.org for price and to register.
Friday, Oct. 22
Sip and Paint Canvas Night for ages 21 and older, 6:30 p.m. in the Patricia Elmore Center, 280 Apple St., Greenfield. Cost is $35 and includes canvas, paint, Halloween treats and one drink. Register at parks.greenfieldin.org.
Saturday, Oct 23
Celebrating Main Street event hosted by Fortville Action Inc. in downtown Fortville, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Event includes food trucks, face painting, balloon twister, and a concert at 6 p.m. with Queen Delphine and the Crown Jewels.
Fall Fest, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Greenfield Church of God, 1561 E. Main St., Greenfield; event includes food, games and more.
Wednesday, Oct. 27
October Mini Art Courses with Greenfield Parks Department for grades kindergarten to third at 4:30 p.m. and grades fourth through sixth at 6 p.m. Visit parks.greenfieldin.org for price and to register.
Halloween Crafts and Fun, event for children in grades first through fifth, 5 p.m. at the Sugar Creek branch of the Hancock County Public Library, 5731 W. US 52, New Palestine. Register at hcplibrary.org.
“Bumps in the Night” adult program with author and Irvington Ghost Walk guide Alan E. Hunter, sharing spine-tingling tales of history, ghost stories and folklore; 6:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Hancock County Public Library, 900 W. McKenzie Road, Greenfield. Register at hcplibrary.org.
Track or Treat, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mt. Vernon High School track at the Hancock Health Stadium; event sponsored by the Mt. Vernon Athletic Boosters.
Thursday, Oct. 28
Trunk or Treat, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Riley Park, hosted by Greenfield Parks Department.
Friday, Oct. 29
Trunk ‘n Treat, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Mt. Comfort Church (Philadelphia campus), 2265 W. U.S. 40,
Nightmare on Main Street costume ball, dinner and dancing for ages 21 and older, 6 p.m., Bradley Hall Event Center, 2 W. Main St. Tickets are $100 and benefit the Talitha Koum Women’s Recovery House and Mental Health Partners of Hancock County; nightmareon mainstreet.org.
Saturday, Oct. 30
Treats on Main and F.A.R.M. Community Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Main Street in Fortville, hosted by Fortville Area Resource Mission. Event includes a pumpkin decorating contest, costume contest, antique tractors, hay rides, barrel train rides, and live music. Visit fortvillearearesourcemission.org for more.
McCordsville Trunk or Treat, noon to 2 p.m., McCordsville Town Hall parking lot, 6280 W. 800N.
Trunk or Treat, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Bradley United Methodist Church, 210 W. Main St. (indoors if inclement weather)
Harvest Hoedown, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Brookville Road Community Church, 7480 W. U.S. 52, New Palestine.
Hancock County Trunk or Treat, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Hancock County Fairgrounds, 620 N. Apple St., Greenfield. Event is hosted by Connor’s Caring Hands, which creates and delivers gift baskets for children that will be spending Christmas in a hospital. Event includes music, food, raffles and activities, plus crafters and vendor displays. Visit connorscaringhands.org or call (317) 828-7562 for more information.
Trunk or Treat, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Browns Chapel, 994 N. 600E., Greenfield.
Sunday, Oct. 31
Halloween Treats party, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Greenfield Christian Church, 23 N. East St., Greenfield.
Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat, 5 to 7 p.m., Gateway Community Church of Fortville, 125 E. Staat St., Fortville.
Trunk or Treat, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1450 W. Main St., Greenfield.
