Halloween Parade and Costume Contest, Park Middle School Clothing Drive

Annual Halloween Parade and Costume Contest: The annual Fanwood and Scotch Plains Halloween Parade and Costume Contest kicks off on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Fanwood Memorial Library parking lot (North and Forest Avenues, Fanwood) with Trunk or Treat, where a slew of surprise treats will await trick-or-treaters. Don’t be late—trunks close by 6 p.m. Children and adults who want to march in the parade should assemble in front of the Library by 6 p.m. At 6:15 p.m., the parade will depart from there for LaGrande Park. Once the parade arrives at LaGrande Park, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the Costume Contest will begin for children of all ages. 

Park Middle School clothing drive: Park Middle School PTA in Scotch Plains is offering the perfect opportunity to clean out your closets. In collaboration with A&E Clothing Corp., who distributes the items around the world, the school PTA has organized a Clothing Drive to be held on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM in front of Park Middle School, 580 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains.

Get your antiques appraised at the Knights of Columbus: Ever wonder what your antiques are worth? Coldwell Banker Westfield West with Nancy's Fancy Antiques present the "What's It Worth? Antique Expo" at the Scotch Plains Knights of Columbus on Sunday at 1 p.m. Entrance fee of $45 includes a verbal appraisal of two pieces. Raffle & refreshments. Tickets can be purchased at the door (credit card or cash) or in advance (check or cash) at: Coldwell Banker Westfield West- 600 North Avenue W, Westfield.
A portion of all proceeds will benefit the NJ Anti-Hunger Coalition, Habitat for Humanity, Make A Wish Foundation & Operation Jersey Cares through CBRB Cares.

BOE Candidates Night: Tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Board of Education offices, meet the seven candidates running for three seats.

Scotch Plains flu clinics: On Tuesday at St. John’s Baptist Church between 10 a.m. and noon and at the Senior Citizen Housing on Lake Avenue between 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. These clinics are offered to residents age 65 years and older; or those under age 65 with a long term health condition. Medicare recipients are required to bring their Medicare cards with them to the flu clinics. Flu shots not covered by Medicare will be offered at a reduced rate of $15. 

Watch "The Great Gatsby" at the Library: On Friday at 1 p.m. at the Scotch Plains Library, catch the first in a series of "New Movies You May Have Missed." Bring a snack and enjoy the show. PG-13, 143 minutes.

Costume contest at Fabricland: The North Plainfield location hosts its 29th Annual New Jersey Creative Halloween Costume Contest and Parade on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. – rain or shine. The store will offer more than $1,000 in gift certificate prizes awarded to winners in every age group including infants to preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd grade to 8th grade, high school, adults and a special family group category. In addition, $500 will be given out in honorable mention awards and everyone attending will receive a candy goodie bag. In order to participate in the contest, you may enter with an original hand or machine-stitched costume, an exact pattern or any variations or combinations of patterns using fabrics and materials from any local fabric store in New Jersey. 

"Outsider Art" exhibit: An exhibition of folk, primitive, naïve and visionary art opens Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at 373 Park Ave in Scotch Plains. The show is being presented by collectors Barbara Brown and Patricia Wadsley of Outsider Artists.net. The exhibit features work by emerging and established artists from North America and around the world. Outsider Art is "raw, eye-catching and vibrant," says Wadsley.