Busy Week Of Fall/Halloween Events Ahead

    The busiest weekend of the fall season has arrived, with North Lake County set to host events that promise fun for all ages. Candy will be served by the thousands of pieces, highlighting the dress-up fun surrounding Halloween, and that's just the start. A craft fair, hayrides, a cow chip bingo, games, entertainment, and enough food to fill even the biggest appetite are all on the docket.
   Here’s a rundown of the fun:
   •A Haunting In Umatilla: This is the first year for this family-friendly event, which will be held at 15438 CR 450 west of Umatilla. Running from October 27-29 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily, this event is free to attend and will feature vendors, food, raffles, a hayride, and trick-or-treating with vendors. On Saturday, a kids and adult costume contest will be held at 3 p.m., and on Sunday, a Most Original Pet Costume Contest will be held at 2 p.m. Both events will include prizes. Learn more by calling 352-759-2651.
   •Astor Fall Festival: On Saturday, October 28, the community is invited to head to River Country for a day of food and fun. Sponsored by the Astor Area Chamber of Commerce and held at the First Baptist Church of Astor, this event will include vendors from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., a BBQ from 11 a.m. until the day concludes, children’s activities, a bake sale, and more. Featured is the annual Cow Chip Bingo, with ‘Baby’ the cow set to be the star attraction of that event which awards the winning prize to the ticket holder of the square that the cow deposits on. The bingo begins at 1 p.m.
   •Tent or Treat At Sunsational Farms: Crowds annually flock to this popular event at the Umatilla agritourism outlet, where from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, a large candy giveaway will be held in addition to the farm’s usual fall activities. Admission is free, and food trucks will be on hand to offer tasty treats. Sunsational Farms is located at 40541 Roger Giles Road in Umatilla, next to the North Lake Regional Park.
   •Trunk or Treat at First Baptist Church of Umatilla: Dozens of decorated trunks support the distribution of thousands of pieces of candy during this event, hosted at the church, located at 550 Hatfield Drive in Umatilla. In addition to the candy giveaway, which runs from 5-7 p.m., there will be additional treats available.
   •Cassia Day: The biggest event on the calendar for this East Lake County community arrives on Sunday, October 29. From 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., the public is invited to the Cassia Community Club, at 29245 SR 44 between Eustis and DeLand. Get ready for an afternoon of pickin' and grinnin' under the oak trees of the historic Cassia schoolhouse - which today serves as the club's home - as live country and bluegrass music are a stalwart of the Cassia Day experience. A large Chinese auction will be part of the event, as will children's games and a costume contest at 1 p.m. Raffles will be held for a Remington rifle and an RTIC cooler, and BBQ lunches and homemade items will be available at the large bake sale.
   •Fall Festival 2023 at Bay Street Baptist Church: Running from 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, this ‘On Halloween’ event offers a fun and safe festival event for young people to enjoy. The church is offering free activities that include a hayride, a Pre-K and Toddler Town, Food, inflatables, and a trunk or treat. The church is located at 37181 SR 19 between Umatilla and Eustis.
   •Trunk Or Treat On Umatilla Boulevard: Coordinated by Central Florida Karate with support from the City of Umatilla, the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce, and area merchants, this event will be held on Tuesday, October 31 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Traditionally held on Halloween, the street party offers a safe way for children to trick - or - treat on the big day while enjoying a safe environment. Activities include a haunted house in addition to dozens of candy stops. Learn more or sign up to join the fun by becoming a trunk or treat stop by calling 352-800-9062.