Halloween events in the area

Below is a list of some Halloween events in the area. Friday, Oct. 28 Munchkin March. Kids of all ages are invited to participate in this judged costume parade starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Nicholson Pavilion in Dykstra Park. Everyone gets a treat. No registration necessary but admission is a canned good for the food pantry. In the event of bad weather, check the Sparta township Web site or call 973-729-2383. Friday, Oct. 28 Halloween Dance Party at Ronnie's Dance Studio. Wear a costume if you like. Dance lesson and mixer. 7:30-11 p.m., $10. Bring a snack or dessert to share. 393 Maxim Dr., Hopatcong. 973-398-0098 for more information. Friday, Oct. 28 Join the Pumpkin Patch Parade at the West Milford Township Library on Friday, Oct. 28, from 2 to 3 p.m. Participate in a Halloween parade and storytime. There’ll be stories, marching, games and treats for children of all ages. Costumes are welcome but not mandatory. To register for this free program call 973-728-2823 or stop by the Children’s Services Desk at the library, which is located at 1490 Union Valley Road. www.wmtl.org. Friday, Oct. 28 The Student Government Association at Sussex County Community College is hosting a haunted hayride and Halloween party for community members of all ages. There will be a children's party in the cafeteria, located in the D building, from 6-9 p.m. which offers games and activities run by SCCC students. From 6-10 p.m., people of all ages are invited to take a haunted hayride around the campus as students act out a horror story along the track. Snacks along with a hot chocolate and coffee bar will also be provided in the cafeteria. This event is free for all who attend. Friday, Oct. 28 Camp Iliff Halloween Bash will be held on 280 Spring Street in Newton from 7-9 p.m. $10 fee (parents free). The event will feature haunted rock climbing, tubes, slides and a costume contest. Friday, Oct. 28 Halloween Dance and Costume Contest from 7-9 p.m. at Stillwater Elementary School hosted by the Kittatinny Midget Competition Cheerleaders with DJ Quinn. The event will feature prizes and drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. All children in grades 4-6 in the Kittatinny district are invited to attend. Tickets are $10 at the door, $8 in advance. Contact Gail Kinney at 973-271-6597 for more information. Saturday, Oct. 29 The Sussex County branch of AAUW, in cooperation with the Motorsport Club of North Jersey, is sponsoring its third annual running of Graveyard Gallivant, a gimmick-style road rallye, on Saturday, Oct. 29. This event will raise money for the national AAUW's educational and legal advocacy funds for deserving women. The starting location for this event is the McDonald's on Rt. 206 in Byram Twp, and the ending location is Pasta Grill by Enzo, on Rt. 57 in Hackettstown. Trophies will be awarded. The cost is $25 per car. Sign-ups start at 10 a.m., with the first car off at 11 a.m. Space is limited, however, so participants are encouraged to pre-register at www.mcnj.org. For more information, contact Lynn Beckmann at 862-268-1782, or send an e-mail to blek@ptd.net. Saturday, Oct. 29 Children's Halloween Party at the Beemerville Firehouse from 1 to 3 p.m. Activities include pumpkin painting, costume contests, arts and crafts, games, music, prizes and snacks. Judging promptly at 1:30. Saturday, Oct. 29 The Nature of Halloween. Pre-registration required by Oct. 28. For children ages 6-11. Investigate the natural history of this magical season and enjoy an outdoor scavenger hunt. 11 a.m. to noon. Free. Kittatinny State Park, 157 Goodale Rd., Newton. 973-786-6445 for more information. Oct. 29 Join the West Milford Township Recreation for its annual Halloween Parade. 10 a.m. at Bubbling Springs Park. Prizes will be given. Be part of the pumpkin carving contest. 11:30. Register on the day of the event. Saturday, Oct. 29 Not So Scary Halloween Party at the DAR Elias Van Bunschooten Museum, 1097 Route 23 , Wantage, NJ. 12 noon. (Rain date: Sunday, Oct. 30) $5 per child; no charge for adults, fun activities, games, prizes, a costume contest led by the Headless Horseman at 1 p.m. Food and more. Advance registration recommended by Oct. 21: family name, number of children, ages. Call 973-800-0458 or e-mail: jmwyman@hotmail.com Also available, tours of the historic house. Saturday, Oct. 29 Artists reception for The Nature of Halloween exhibit from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 1547 Route 565, Vernon. This art exhibit is made up from contributions from the landscape and wildlife drawing class held at the Refuge. Artwork includes drawings and paintings of bats, owls and spiders, a tribute to the creatures of Halloween season. Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29 Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon hosts its annual Halloween Costume Contest from 2 to 4 p.m. The contest is open to children ages 12 and under. Admission is free. Visit the farm market at Heaven Hill Farm by Oct. 28 to enter. Contest prizes are: Grand prize: Best Overall Costume: Four tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, with round trip transportation into NYC courtesy of State Shuttle. First place: Most Original Costume: Mountain Creek Ski & Snowboard lift tickets; Cutest Costume: Mooseltoe show tickets courtesy of Morristown Community Theater; Scariest Costume: passes to Skylands Ice Rink. Second place: Most Original Costume: Four Pumpkin Palooza tickets at Heaven Hill Farm; Cutest Costume: Four Pumpkin Palooza Tickets at Heaven Hill Farm; Scariest Costume: Four Pumpkin Palooza Tickets at Heaven Hill Farm. Goody bags filled with tricks and treats including holiday candy, gift cards, coupons and more and will be given to all participants. The costume contest takes place annually during the popular Pumpkin Land Festival, with activities including hayrides to the u-pick pumpkin patch, the cornstalk maze, the hay maze, feeding barnyard buddies, pig races, making a dizzying dash through the Vortex Tunnel and more. For info: 973-764-5144 or www.heavenhillfarm.com.