A flashlight-lit trail, haunted local stories and a trunkful of treats are on the agenda for families looking for a safe way to celebrate Halloween. The YMCA of Hagerstown will host its Halloween Trail Walk from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at the YMCA Pavilion, 1100 Eastern Boulevard N. Children and families are invited to wear costumes, follow the trail, hear a story and collect a trinket at each of five stations before finishing with a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot. The evening also will include warm apple cider, a small treat and haunted stories from the Hagerstown area; attendees should bring a small flashlight.
Applefest is about to get a whole lot more “prost.” Berg Brewing Company and Neighbors Food Hall will host the official indoor Biergarten during Chambersburg Applefest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Berg Brewing, 100 South Main St. in Chambersburg. The event offers craft beer, food, fall festivities and a place for Applefest visitors to gather and celebrate during the downtown festival.
Autumn’s best finds will fill Fort Ritchie Community Center when the Fall Craft Bazaar returns with more than 60 vendor spaces offering handmade candles, jewelry, crochet creations, woodwork, custom tote bags, seasonal décor and gifts. The free bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the community center, 14421 Lake Royer Drive, in Cascade, Maryland. Organizers invite shoppers to browse one-of-a-kind items, support local artisans and get a head start on holiday gift shopping while celebrating the fall season.
When most people head indoors for the evening, owls, foxes and other nighttime wildlife are just beginning their day. Families can explore that hidden world during Creatures of the Night 2026, a naturalist-led program from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Buttonwood Nature Center, 10356 Amsterdam Road, in Waynesboro. Part of the center’s Naturalist Discovery series, the event begins with a short lesson on native crepuscular and nocturnal animals before participants take an evening trail hike to listen for owl calls and look for insects using red-light flashlights. Organizers say the program offers a chance to experience autumn wildlife after dark; attendees of all ages should dress for the weather, bring a red-light flashlight if possible and expect the hike to last up to an hour. The program is limited to 20 people, costs $5 per person and requires registration.
A murder from 1776 Williamsport will be waiting to be solved — with a cocktail in hand — when Springfield Manor hosts “Spirits & Spirits” from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. The Washington County Historical Society fundraiser will feature a murder mystery set during the Revolutionary era, with historical characters portrayed by ACT Black Box Studio, as guests explore the historic property at 10 Springfield Lane in Williamsport, Maryland. Admission is $50 and includes two drinks and refreshments; the afternoon also will offer live music and hand-crafted cocktails. Historical costumes or dressy attire are encouraged, though attendees should be prepared for light walking on uneven terrain.
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