For at least 75 years, the Prell-Bland American Legion Post 271 Halloween Parade has “really been a big tradition” with the local veterans’ group and kids alike, reports organizer Buck Hoegeman, who has helped with the event for over 30 years.

All Batesville children are invited to wear costumes and march Friday, Oct. 31. The procession starts at 6 p.m. from Batesville Memorial Pool on Mulberry Street, heads east on West Pearl Street, south on South Main Street and ends in front of the Memorial Building, where each child will receive a bag of treats.

“I just really enjoy watching the kids. It’s unbelievable how the kids dress and it really makes them feel good” to view all of the costumes and have a unique trick-or-treating send-off.

About 15 Legionnaires get together to stuff the bags beforehand and then distribute them. He recalls, “Last year we gave out about 850.” Rain won’t disappoint trick-or-treaters. If that happens, “then we’ll go out to the (Liberty Park) pavilion.”

To blast off fall’s creepy holiday period, 11 family-friendly events are slated in this area over the next 16 days.

In chronological order:

A Haunted Village that includes a hayride around Metamora and a tour of scary scenes is presented by the Metamora Economic Development Corp. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, from 7 to 10 p.m. Cost is $5. Info: Angie Higgs, 765-647-1930.

A fall fest organized by supporters of YES (Youth Encouragement Services) Home, Aurora, a group home for abandoned, abused and neglected children, and the Manchester Elementary School PTO is Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 11636 County Farm Road, Aurora. With face painting, hay rides, pumpkin decorating and a costume contest, “it’s a day for families,” reports program coordinator Amy Phillips. “It’s a blast!” Admission is $5. Info: Amy Phillips, 812-926-0110.

On two Saturday nights, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25, Halloween cruises are being planned for 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site in Metamora. Storytellers Jeff Kuehl the first night and David McDaniel of the Indiana State Museum with guest musicians the second night will tell ghostly tales as the boat proceeds down the canal and back, reports interpretation facilitator Deb Alvey. A costumed crew and treats for passengers round out the event. Cost is $4. Info: 765-647-6512.

The Batesville public library’s Halloween party is Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. Children ages preschool through third grade are encouraged to arrive in costume. First Jeff Emsweller will discuss railroad crossing safety and pass out coloring books that reinforce the message. Then “prepare to be silly with Connor the Clown!” says Sandra Dickey, Children’s Department head.

“Bats and Boo...ks” is the theme of the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library party Friday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. A straw scavenger hunt “is a big draw. It is a ton of fun,” notes outreach librarian Lori Durbin. Continuous stories, crafts (one edible) and “ghoul-aid” and popcorn also are offered. Each family can bring one carved or decorated pumpkin to be judged during a contest with funniest, scariest, prettiest, most creative and most unusual categories. The program is targeted for kids 12 and under who can wear costumes. Registration required: 812-663-2826.

Ghost tours of the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, including the cemetery and gardens, take place Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. at 4220 T.C. Steele Road, Nashville. Attendees also can tour the House of the Singing Winds. Martha Sechler with the Brown County Public Library will tell tales and artist Charlotte Gore will help everyone paint gourds. This program is suitable for younger children. Cost is $5.

Rugged families can enjoy Spooktacular Camping. On Friday, Oct. 24, there are campfires, spooky crafts and refreshments at Mounds State Recreational Area’s Brookville Lake Camp Store and the Whitewater Memorial State Park naturalist cabin. On Saturday, Oct. 25, both sites will have a campsite decorating contest, trick-or-treating, crafts, live music and scary bingo. Mounds SRA also will host a cornhole tournament and costume contest for kids, adults and pets. Info: Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 765-647-2657.

Youngsters have four chances to ride the Whitewater Valley Railroad Pumpkinliner Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. and 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. The trip goes from the Connersville Grand Central Station to a pumpkin patch and back. At the field, families will enjoy a hay ride and children 11 and under will choose pumpkins. Tickets, including pumpkins, are $8 for ages 2 and up. Reservations recommended: 765-825-2054 or www. whitewatervalleyrr.org.

Dickey will be telling Halloween-themed stories at the Batesville library Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 10 and 11:15 a.m. and 12:10 and 5:30 p.m.

All youth are invited to the fourth annual Franklin County 4-H Fun & Friendly Halloween Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Brookville fairgrounds. In addition to a petting zoo, hay rides, games and trick-or-treating, story time is slated for 5:30 p.m. and a costume parade at 6. Businesses and organizations that want to man free booths for trick-and-treaters should call the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service office in Franklin County at 765-647-3511.

The day after the holiday, Southeastern Indiana YMCA and the Batesville Community School Corp. Choices Program host a free Costume Dance for all high school students at the Y Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8 to 11 p.m. Costume contest categories are best overall, cartoon couple, movie couple, best group, most creative, best animal, scariest and funniest. Judging is at 9:15 p.m. A DJ will provide music and there will be cornhole and euchre tourneys, a scavenger hunt and pizza at 9:30 p.m.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at (812) 934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.