Fall festivities: Events plentiful for residents

Fall in Jennings County means plenty of opportunities for residents to enjoys activities related to the harvest season and Halloween.

The Jennings County Historical Society museum in Vernon hosts two popular events, the Ghost Walk and Mystery Dinner. Both are fundraisers for the historical society and will take place between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Oct. 14 and 15 at the museum, 134 E. Brown St.

The Ghost Walk features tour guides who carrying lanterns and lead 20-minute walks through nearby streets. Along the way, groups of Jennings County Schools Theater Club students will act out vignettes of county folklore and ghost stories. Ghost Walk tickets cost $4 each for people age 11 and older, and $2 for children ages 4 to 10. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance. Reservations are not required.

The Mystery Dinner gets its name because the menu is kept secret prior to the dinner, and it is served by volunteers in costume in a mysteriously decorated room. Seating is limited so advance reservations and pre-paid tickets are recommended. One dinner will be served Oct. 14 and two on Oct. 15. Tickets cost $32 per couple or $18 for an individual. Discounted tickets to the Ghost Walk are available to Mystery Dinner attendees.

Tickets for both events can be purchased in person or by phone at the museum from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 to 8 and Oct. 12 to 14.

Additional fall events already underway or upcoming include:

North Vernon’s annual scarecrow contest, which continues throughout October with scarecrow displays competing for cash prizes.

The Big Read program at the Jennings County Public Library, 2375 State Road 3N in North Vernon, which has a spooky Edgar Allan Poe theme and will continue with related activities for kids and adults throughout October. For more information, call the library at 812-346-2091 or go online at jenningslib.org.

Boyd’s Pumpkin Display, which begins at dusk every night from Oct. 22 to 31. More than 300 hand-carved and lighted pumpkins will be on display in the yard of Wesley and Melody Boyd’s home at 6265 E. County Road 920N outside of North Vernon. The public display is free.

A parade through North Vernon on Halloween night, Oct. 31. People of all ages are invited to wear their favorite costume. The parade starts at the police station at 5 p.m.

First Christian Church in North Vernon hosting the annual Sweet Street Celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. First Christian Church Youth Director Angee Leeds said she expects about 4,000 kids and adults to attend. More than 20 booths will give candy away, and the event will include games, face painting, bouncy houses and free hot dogs, drinks and popcorn. For more information call 812-346-3177.