The ninth annual Barktoberfest Pet Fair will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at Macungie Memorial Park. Rev. Werner M. Koch of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Bethlehem will conduct a Blessing of the Animals 1 p.m. There will be dog and cat rescue groups and vendors selling pet related items. For more information, call 610-966-4289 or email Roberta@barktoberfestpetfair.com.

The Macungie Farmers Market is open 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 26. The market features local family farmers providing home grown fruits, vegetables, meat products, eggs, baked goods, plants and more. Parking is available at the park parking lot and along North Walnut Street.

Macungie Memorial Park is a self-supporting park and depends on events and donations to keep the pool, playground, grounds, ballfields and bathrooms operable. If you are interested in volunteering to help with events contact Amy at 610-966-4289 or email macungiepark@gmail.com.

The Parkland Art League will meet 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Macungie Institute. Artist Erick Carrazco will be the guest demonstrator, painting in oils.

The Autumn Mineralfest will be held 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at Macungie Memorial Park. There will be dealers and tables of minerals, fossils, gems, geodes, crystals and more. There will also be hands-on lessons in gold panning and sluicing. Breakfast and lunch are available. For more information, call 610-966-4289 or visit www.mineralfest.com.

There will be an Interstate Shetland Club Dog Show Oct. 8 at Macungie Memorial Park. For more information, call 610-966-4289.

Grace Lutheran Church will hold a Harvest Home service 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Oct. 8 to give thanks. Non-perishable food items will be collected for the area food bank program.

The Church of the Good Shepherd, 135 Quarry Road, Alburtis will hold a craft bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14. There will be crafts, a white elephant, basket auction, bake sale and food.

The Macungie Historical Society will sponsor a presentation by Doug Peters, “70 Years of Public Transit in the Lehigh Valley” 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Macungie Institute. For more information, go to www.macungie.org.

There will be a cruise night Oct. 21 at Macungie Memorial Park. Cars will start arriving 3 p.m.

The Macungie Minstrelaires will present “60 SONGSensational Years” at Lower Macungie Middle School. Show times are 8 p.m. Oct. 27, 28 and Nov. 3 and 4. Matinees are 2 p.m. Oct. 28 and Nov. 4. Part of this year’s proceeds will benefit “Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor Program, Inc.” For tickets and information, order online at www.macungie-minstrelaires.org or call 484-954-7594.

There will be a Community Blood Drive 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Macungie Institute.

The second annual Macungie Halloween 2-mile Fun Run will be held 6:45 p.m. Oct. 28 (prior to the Macungie Halloween Parade) starting at Buttonwood and Main streets in Macungie. Same day registration will be held 6 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.macungieparade.com.

The Lower Lehigh Lions Club will sponsor the annual Macungie Halloween Parade starting 7:15 p.m. Oct. 28 at Main and Buttonwood streets and ending at Macungie Memorial Park. The rain date is Nov.4. For more information, visit www.macungieparade.com.

Macungie Trick or Treat Night is 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

The Friends of the Macungie Institute will host a bus trip to “Christmas at Longwood Gardens” Nov. 29. The trip includes dinner at Mendenhall Inn. For more information, call the Macungie Institute at 610-966-7830.

Sahaja Yoga Meditation is held 6 p.m. Wednesday evenings at the Macungie Institute. For information, call 610-966-2213.

The next bus trips to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs are scheduled for Oct. 16 and Nov. 20. Call the park at 610-966-4289 to reserve a seat.

The Lower Lehigh Lions will meet 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 24 at the Macungie Institute.

Macungie Fire Company meets 7 p.m. Oct.11 at social quarters.

Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 7 p.m. Oct 9 at the post home on Lehigh Street.

The Ladies Auxiliary of Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at the post home.

Macungie Rod and Gun Club Board meets 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the club.

Macungie Borough Council meets 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 and 16 and Nov. 6 at Borough Hall, 21 Locust St., Macungie.

The Macungie Park Board of Directors meeting will be held downstairs 7 p.m. Oct. 24. The public is welcome.

Bingo is held weekly Saturday evenings at Macungie Memorial Park. Doors open 5 p.m. and games begin 6:45 p.m. For more information, call 610-966-4289.

One evening at dinner, Ben was very excited about having mashed potatoes for dinner and, inexplicably, decided to stick his finger in the mashed potatoes. He quickly yanked his finger out and yelled “hot” as he shook his finger and flung potato on his shirt. His response to our bemused stares was, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

The next column will be published Nov. 1; copy deadline is Oct. 26.