Emmaus Borough Council has canceled the Oct. 17 Emmaus Halloween Parade due to COVID-19 restrictions.

However, if you see a person in costume running down the street between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. Oct. 17, be sure to cheer him or her on. They are participating in the 14th annual 5K Halloween race. Be aware race information is subject to change. The race is currently slated to start at Emmaus High School 1 p.m. It will be held as an in-person race but with some notable changes and numerous safety provisions in effect. Racers will choose the time they want to start. It will be just the racer and the clock. Costumes will still be in full effect. Cash prizes will be awarded to top runners and costume contest winners.

Proceeds benefit Emmaus’ Halloween Parade, the park system and other organizations. For information, visit http://emmaus5k.com. If interested in volunteering or making a cash donation, call Wesley Barrett at 610-928-2000.

Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert is proposing Emmaus’ Trick or Treat Night be held Oct. 30. Due to COVID-19, the mayor has extended the hours to 5:30 to 8 p.m. Emmaus Borough Council will be discussing the Trick or Treat Night proposal at its next meeting. As in years past, turn on your porch light if you want to welcome little ghosts and goblins. And remember COVID-19 safety guidelines. Also, drivers please be alert when driving to avoid groups of children walking along the road.

Emmaus Borough Council will meet 7 p.m. Oct. 5 and 19 in council chambers at Emmaus Borough Hall, 28 S. Fourth St. The meeting will be open to the public or broadcast through Zoom. For information, call 610-965-9292 or visit info@borough.emmaus.pa.us.com.

Residents can drop off e-waste at the e-waste dumpster beside the public works department garage on Kline’s Lane. The site will be open noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 12. Borough employees will not unload items residents are dropping off from their vehicles. Residents need to show the attendant their identification signifying they are a borough resident. There may be a charge for some items.

The borough’s curbside yard waste pickup Mondays and Thursdays continues through Oct. 22. See the borough’s website for regulations for yard waste pick up.

Zumba is held every Tuesday and Thursday 6 p.m. at the community park arts pavilion.

The Emmaus Police Department’s celebration of National Night Out has been canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Drug Take Back Day will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24. Drugs can be dropped off curbside at the police department. FYI: On other days, there are two boxes in which to dispose drugs - one in the Emmaus Police Department lobby and one in the main entrance of borough hall.

St. Ann’s Food Fest continues in October. The ethnic food offering will be from St. Ann’s famous Sausage Kings. Every offering is ready to eat, delicious and homemade. To pre-order, visit the parish website, www.churchstann.org or the St. Ann’s Fall Fest Facebook page. The food will be available for takeout in a social distancing drive-by arrangement in the church parking lot off South Fifth Street.

The Emmaus Farmers Market will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday, rain or shine. The market is held at Triangle Park, Main Street in Emmaus. Come out and enjoy the musical entertainment, visit with folks at the community table and of course, purchase delicious homegrown food products from the 27 vendors. Please remember, coronavirus restrictions are in effect. For information, visit info@emmausmarket.com.

September was Library Card Sign-up Month but if you missed it, there is still time to sign up. Library card sign-ups are available online through www.emmauspl.org. Your bar code will be emailed to you so you can access e-books and online homework help and other online resources from home. Also, just come into the library, show your ID and get your library card. A guardian or parent is required to sign if the youngster is under 18 years of age. During September, library card sign-up activities include a free bookmark and sticker for card holders while supplies last.

The Emmaus Public Library continues to adapt and expand services to meet the evolving needs of our community. For information, visit www.emmauspl.org or call 610-965-9284.

The adult daytime book group meets 2 p.m. Oct 6 via Zoom to discuss “In the Garden of Beasts,” by Erik Larson. Some copies are available to borrow when you RSVP.

Youngsters can create masks 10 a.m. Oct. 14. Pick up your kit at the front desk and craft along online with Miss Sue for this “not so scary” mask craft.

The library will hold a virtual Halloween parade. Please submit your photos and videos online Oct. 26 to 31 via email or on our social media accounts to be featured in the library’s weeklong virtual Halloween parade.

Trick or Treat at the library will be held all day Oct. 29. Come costumed and masked and stop by the library for a sweet treat or cool prize.

The Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild will be telling stories online 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Although the Emmaus Historical Society museum, 218 Main St., is closed, society members are still accepting donations for the museum’s collection or for next year’s community yard sale. For an appointment to make a donation, call 610-966-6591.

Congratulations to Emmaus Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert who was honored as Mayor of the Year by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce recently. Before being elected mayor, Mayor Gilbert had served as an Emmaus Borough councilperson for almost 20 years. She also was the first woman ever to serve as president of council and mayor of Emmaus.

The deadline for submitting items for the November column is Oct. 20. Send items to durdock@aol.com, 913 Little Lehigh Drive or call 610-967-2661. Please continue to follow coronavirus guidelines for a safe Halloween.