Planet Weekend Picks, Oct. 26-28

Friday, October 26

Princeton Hometown Halloween Parade – includes several activities in addition to the parade. Come for one or all. At 4 p.m. join the Historical Society of Princeton for a 45 minute walk through Princeton Cemetery, referred to as the “Westminster Abbey of the United States.” The tour will start at the main gate, at the corner of Greenview Avenue and Humbert Street and is recommended for ages 8 and up. For more information or to register, e-mail eve@princetonhistory.org or call (609) 921-6748, x102. At 5 p.m. gather at Palmer Square Green for the parade. The Princeton University Band will kick off the parade march and will march to Albert Hinds Plaza, where the Arts Council of Princeton and the Princeton Public Library will host a fun filled performance by Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band. After leaving the concert, families are invited to head over to the YMCA on Paul Robeson Place where the fun continues with “trunk or treat” (trick-or-treating in the parking lot), a spooky trail, carnival games and a bounce houses.

Trinity Church Rummage Preview Sale – Come to Trinity Church on Friday evening for the best selection of blouses, skirts, pants, blazers, suits, coats and holiday attire in women’s fashions and suits, blazers, shirts and ties in men’s fashions.  Early shoppers will find labels from Neiman Marcus, Armani, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Brooks Brothers, L.L. Bean and more. There will also be a selection of jewelry, a few surprises from the “This and That” collection, books, works of art and frames, furniture and linen. Tickets sold at the door for $10 on a first come, first served basis. Church located at 33 Mercer Street.

Benefit Concert for UNiCEF, Princeton High School Orchestra – Intergenerational concert includes musicians from the community with the orchestra. Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the high school on Moore Street. Tickets $10.

Opening Night of `The Select’ (The Sun Also Rises) at McCarter Theatre –  Staging of Ernest Hemingway’s masterpiece novel by the internationally-acclaimed Elevator Repair Service. Performances also Sat. at  2 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets $20 to $75.

Saturday October 27

Electronics Disposal Day, Mercer County Improvement Authority – Stop by the Sun National Bank Center at 80 Hamilton Avenue in Trenton and bring your old electronics. Items that will be taken including copiers, fax machines, keyboards, microwave ovens, computers, telephones, scanners, stereo equipment, televisions, VCRs, circuit boards, cords and more. Paper shredding also available. For Mercer County residents only. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring an id to show proof of county residency.

3rd Annual Alexander’s Run 5K and Family Festival – Alexander’s Run supports the Alexander Michael Dodson Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Program. The event includes a USATF certified 5K race through historic Trenton and a 1 Mile family costume fun run/walk.  Register  online or in person on Saturday beginning at 7:30 a.m. 5K begins at 9 a.m., family run/walk begins at 9:45 a.m. Fee $25 for 5K, $10 for fun run (each add. family member $5), children 5 and under free. Runners use Liberty Commons Garage, 16 Front Street. Pre-race dinner Friday night 6:30-9 p.m. at Trenton Social, 448 S. Broad Street. Tickets $11. Pick up your race packet and learn more about the course and race day activities.  The dinner includes salad, pasta and one glass of house wine or domestic draft beer.

Trinity Rummage Sale – Art, frames,  books, electronics, lamps, furniture, housewares, jewelry, clothing for all ages, linen, and a holiday shop full of gifts, decorations and toys. Doors open at 9 a.m. so come early for the best selection. Sale runs until 3 p.m. Hot dogs, coffee, sodas and snacks will be available to purchase at the kitchen. All day: shoppers can purchase bags @ $5 for clothing bargains in Pierce Hall. Boxes of books can be purchased for $5 in the Books department. Church located at 33 Mercer Street.

Spooktacular Halloween Contest, Parade, and Party at the Princeton Shopping Center  – Event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual kids parade and costume contest is a popular event.  In lieu of in-store trick-or-treating, every child receives a prize. There will also be scarecrow and mask making, and pumpkin painting. Rain or shine. Free.

Halloween Parade at the West Windsor Farmers Market – Parade at 10 a.m. Spooky arts projects, music, safety demos by the West Windsor Fire Department, Twin W Rescue Squad and Wet Windsor Bike and Pedestrian Alliance. Market runs from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Vaughn Drive commuter lot at the Princeton Junction train station. Bring canned food for the food drive at the market. Show the WWBPA how you’ve tricked out a Halloween costume with a way to make it more visible to motorists (a bit of something reflective?) and we’ll give you a treat.

Princeton United Methodist Church Halloween Party/Parents Afternoon Out  -Drop off children ages 4 through fifth grade for crafts and games from 1 to 3:30 p.m.. The event raises money for the church’s  high school choir.  Not a dress/costume event. Cost is $15/per child, 2 or more children in family are at $10 per child.   Email choir director Yvonne MacDonald for moor details at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net. Church phone is (609) 924-2613.

Rum and Onions Band/Princeton Country Dancers Annual Halloween Bash – Afternoon dance at 3 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. (bring picnic style food that doesn’t need reheating), evening dance at 7 p.m., costume parade at 7:30 p.m. Introduction to contra dance basics / warm-up a half hour before each dance.  At Lawrenceville Intermediate School, 66 Eggerts Crossing Road in Lawrenceville.

Rock the Vote – Nonpartisan Rock the Vote concert on Hinds Plaza in downtown Princeton to encourage people to vote. Performers include Jed Steadson & The Kumas, Chris Harford and his Band of Changes, JW Middle School Student Ben James and Impact Winter. Sponsors include the Princeton Public Library, the League of Women Voters, Liz Lempert for Mayor, Dick Woodbridge 4 Mayor, the Princeton Community Democratic Organization and the Princeton Record Exchange. Several groups will have tables at the event where you can get more info about their campaign, issue or business. Runs from 4 to 7:30p.m.

The Princeton Tour Co. still has openings for its 6 p.m. Ghost Tour & Cemetery Visit –  It’s not a “jump out and scare you” experience or a pure ghost hunt, says Mimi O. of Princeton Tour Co.  The tour starts with a walk through the Princeton University campus where guests use official ghost hunting equipment at an unmarked grave and Revolutionary battlefield. After the campus visit the tour heads to surrounding historic neighborhoods. The tour finishes with a stop at the Princeton Cemetery. Runs until about 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20.

Monster Ball at Artworks in Trenton – This is one of the best area Halloween events for grown ups, lots of creative artsy costumes to be seen. Live music, djs, costume contest with prizes, dancers, tarot readings, photos, creepy art creation station, silent horror flick, food and beverages. $10 ticket gives you entry, food and one drink, $45 ticket includes food and unlimited free drinks and one activity, $75 ticket includes food, drinks, all activities. Order tickets online or buy at the door, Runs 8 until midnight at Artworks, 19 Everett Alley in Trenton.

Cafe Improv – Music, poetry, comedy and more at the Arts Council of Princeton  For a list of performers www.cafeimprov.com. Tickets $2 or $1 for Arts Council members, students and seniors. 7 to 10 p.m. (come for all or part of the show).

Sunday, October 28

Annual MarketFair Halloween Extravaganza – Noon until 2 p.m. in center court. The contest is at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy treats, face painting, arts and crafts and a special performance by popular children’s entertainer Mr. Ray. Children must be registered to participate in the costume contest. The first 400 kids dressed in costumes in attendance who register will receive a goody bag filled with candy.

Friendship Circle Expo with Mercer Friends – Special needs expo where you can learn about organizations focusing on special needs, hear motivational speakers, win prizes. Drop off program for children. Concert by Larry Davidson of Princeton at 1 p.m. ‘Transitioning to College and the Workplace’ presented by Hillary Freeman of Freeman Law Offices at 2 p.m. ‘The Most Fundamental Issues Confronting Families of Children with Disabilities’ presented by a panel including a financial planner, an attorney, and social organizational advocates at 3:30 p.m. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Robbisnville High, free. for more information visit www.expofriendship.org.

Fall Harvest Festival at Terhune Orchards – Last weekend of the fall harvest festivals at the farm! Lots of activities including ago rides, corn stalk maze, adventure barn, food,  live music.  Admission $5 (children under 3 free). On Sunday the Delaware River Valley Wine Trail Fall Harvest and Wine Festival features 4 area wineries from noon to 5 p.m., $10 for 10 tasting tickets. Farm is located a 330 Cold Soil Road in Lawrence.  (Festival also runs Saturday but not the wine trail event).

Princeton Public Library Crescendo Series with Matt Daniel – A 19-year-old composer and musician, Daniel will play original compositions in various styles, including jazz, Latin, blues and rock ‘n’ roll in a performance he calls “The Ultimate Eclectic Experience.” 2 p.m. in the community room, free.

A Brassy Halloween with the Princeton Brass Band – Journey through the haunted brass band classics in Alfred Hitchcock’s theme and ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 3 p.m. at the Yvonne Theater, Rider University, free (donations accepted).

Photo featured in this post is by Kathy McGraw and is licensed under a Creative Commons 3.0.