Seasonal Events Fill Up Local Calendar This Week

    A long weekend of Halloween and/or fall activities is coming to North Lake County, with special events dotting the calendar through the weekend and into Monday evening, when Halloween officially arrives. Locals of all ages are invited to come and experience costume contests, entertainment, and much more.
   Here’s a rundown:
   Saturday, October 29: Fall Festival at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Eustis, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Celebrating the congregation’s 140th anniversary, the event will include a scarecrow decorating contest, live auction, food, and more. Additionally, there will be church tours and the unveiling of a plaque noting the church as the oldest in the city of Eustis. Location is the corner of Mary Street and Lemon Avenue. For more information, call 352-357-4358.
   Saturday, October 29: Fall Festival at First Baptist Church of Paisley, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Free hot dog lunch will be part of the event which will include a scavenger hunt, games, prizes, a cake walk, a bake sale, and more. The church is located at the corner of CR 42 and Fisherman's Road. Call 352-669-6221.
   Saturday, October 29: Fall Festival at First Baptist Church of Altoona, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Games, food, bounce house and more will be part of the event. The church is located on SR 19 in Altoona. For more information, call 352-669-2806.
   Saturday, October 29: Tent or Treat at Sunsational Farms, from 3-6 p.m. The agritourism location next to North Lake Park on Fletcher Road invites children to come for candy and more as costumed youngsters can visit booths for holiday treats. Any business or organization wishing to join the activity can set up a booth by calling Sunsational Farms at 352-771-2013. Dr. Grimley's Haunted Trail will also continue on Friday and Saturday nights at the farm.
   Sunday, October 30: Cassia Day, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. To be held on the grounds of the historic Cassia School on SR 44 in Cassia, the event will include a full day of live music, BBQ dinners ($9 adults, $6 children), a bake sale, a big Chinese auction, children's games, a 1 p.m. costume contest, and raffles for a 65-quart RTIC cooler and Henry .22 rifle. The event is sponsored by the Cassia Community Club. The schoolhouse is located at 29245 SR 44 in Eustis.
   Sunday, October 30: Trunk or Treat at First Baptist Church of Umatilla, 5-7 p.m. Dozens upon dozens of decorated trunks, truck beds, and more await revelers, with hundreds of children expected to be on hand to enjoy an evening of candy fun. The church is located at 550 Hatfield Drive in Umatilla. For more information, call 352-669-3214.
   Monday, October 31: Fall Festival at Bay Street Baptist Church, 5:15 -7:15 p.m. A life-size maze, hay ride, trunk or treat, inflatables, food, games, and more are all part of the event, with everything free. The church is located at 37181 SR 19 between Umatilla and Eustis. For more information, call 352-589-5838.
   Monday, October 31: First Baptist Church of Astor Falloween, 6 p.m. - until the fun ends. A large maze, games, treats, food, and more will all be part of the event hosted on church grounds, located on Ann Street in Astor.
   Monday, October 31: Paisley County Library Trick or Treat, 5-7 p.m. Located at the library, on CR 42 in Paisley.
   Monday, October 31: Halloween Street Party in Umatilla, 6-8 p.m. This event will once again be held on Umatilla Boulevard, with area businesses, the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Umatilla all partnering in the fun that will include trunk or treat opportunities from area businesses and civic organizations, entertainment, children’s activities, and more. For more information or to join in to give out candy at your trunk, call the chamber of commerce at 352-669-3511.