October is a very busy month in Upper Milford Township.

On Oct. 5, the third annual Community Day hosted by the two township fire departments will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the township building.

In addition to the two fire companies, the Emmaus and Macungie ambulance corps, as well as other agencies providing services to the township, will be on hand with demonstrations and information. There will also be a blood drive at the township building 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You may schedule an appointment to donate online, on the township website, by calling the office at 610-966-3223 or by sending an email to info@uppermilford.org.

October wouldn’t be October without the Vera Cruz Halloween parade, which will be held 7-10 p.m. Oct. 16. Marchers will assemble at Mystic Chain Park beginning 6 p.m.

Trick or treat in the township will be Oct. 31.

This is also the time of year for church festivals and bazaars.

Salem United Methodist Church, 6440 Powder Valley Road, Zionsville, will host its Harvest Fest 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12. There will be a bake sale, flea market items, a light lunch, painted pumpkins to purchase, plus some free items. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, call 610-965-6796.

Chestnut Hill Church will hold its annual yard/bake sale and free recycling program 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Lower Milford Fire Company, 1601 Limeport Pike. Recycling is 8 a.m. to noon, or until the truck is full.

Go to www.chestnuthillchurch.org under events for a detailed list of what items will be accepted.

Large appliances, televisions or Freon™ items will not be accepted. For information, call Debbie at 610-390-9026.

St. Peter’s Union Church, 7863 St. Peter’s Road, Macungie, will hold its 11th annual baskets (and more) event Oct. 20. Doors open 11:30 a.m. and games begin 1 p.m. Lunch will be served.

To purchase or reserve tickets in advance contact Joy Weida at 610-845-9822. Tickets purchased or reserved by Oct. 13 will be entered in a special early bird drawing.

The Upper Milford Historical Society meets 7 p.m. the last Thursday of every month except November and December. The Oct. 31 meeting will feature Bruce Stocking on the topic, “All That Remains.” As always, everyone is invited.

For information, call 610-966-4376.

The Ladies Auxiliary of Citizens Fire Company of Vera Cruz will meet 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Vera Cruz Fire Department Social Hall. The ladies help support the department by lending a hand in fundraising and other assistance when needed.

For more information on fundraisers or how to join the auxiliary, email ladiesaux@vcfd28.com

The Western District Fire Company on Route 100 usually serves breakfast the first Sunday of the month, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The October breakfast will be Oct. 6. In November, the breakfast will be Nov. 3.

For information on the breakfasts, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902.

The Upper Milford Fire Company’s ladies auxiliary meets 7 p.m. Oct. 7. New members are always welcome.

Vera Cruz senior citizens will meet 1 p.m. Oct. 3 and 17 at the Vera Cruz Fire Company. All are welcome.

Lower Milford Township supervisors usually meet the first and third Thursday of the month, beginning 6:30 p.m. Supervisors will hold a workshop meeting Oct. 3 and a regular meeting Oct. 17.

Other Lower Milford meetings are as follows; historical commission, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8; recreation and open space committee, 7 p.m. Oct. 9; planning commission, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7.

Upper Milford supervisors will meet Oct. 3 and 17. There is a workshop meeting 7 p.m. followed by the regular meeting 7:30 p.m.

The recreation commission meets 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21. The Joint Environmental Advisory Council will meet 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Emmaus Public Library. There will be no meetings in November or December.

The open space committee meets 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9, only if required to conduct business. Check with the township office to find out if it will meet this month. The emergency services committee meets 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month, also only if required to conduct business.

If you have news or information for this column, which runs the first Wednesday of every month, please call me at 610-838-8923 or email me at bruce.swan@rcn.com. My deadline is the Wednesday prior to the first Wednesday of the month.