Cooler temperatures are coming - and that means fun fall events in Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough.

One of Whitehall Township’s most popular autumn activities is the Haunted Hayride in the Parkway. The hayrides run 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays along Whitehall Parkway, 4689 S. Church St. Specific dates include Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30.

The cost is $12 for ages 13 and up and $7 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under can ride for free. All proceeds benefit Whitehall Township Fire Department.

There is free parking, and refreshments will be available.

The rides are sponsored by Whitehall Active Volunteer Fire Department Association.

Visit whitehallfd.org for discount coupons.

For more information, call the Whitehall Township Recreation Bureau hotline at 610-437-5524.

Coplay is planning a fall craft and vendor fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 2 and 3 at 2 Keefer St. Come on by for some one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones.

Participating vendors include Paparazzi, Scentsy, Zuzu’s Keepsakes, T’s Crafts, Color Street, Simply Posh, The Urban Homestead, Dainty Creations and more. There will be home goods, birdhouses, jewelry, crafts, Tupperware, crocheted and knit goods, wood working, painting and more.

The fair is sponsored by the borough’s park and recreation department.

There are still some spaces available. The deadline to register is Sept. 24. Contact Tiffany at tbenson@coplayborough.org to sign up.

Whitehall Township’s annual Halloween-themed parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 7. There is no rain date.

Neighborhoods, businesses, groups and organizations are encouraged to enter floats and march together. The parade will stage in the south parking lot of the At Home store, 2520 MacArthur Road. The parade will then exit onto Schadt Avenue toward Mauch Chunk Road, turn right at Schadt Avenue Park, travel down Campus Drive and weave through Whitehall-Coplay School District’s campus.

Prizes will be awarded in three categories: most original, overall appearance and most spirit.

The deadline to enter is 4 p.m. Oct. 1. See the township website, whitehalltownship.org, for entry forms.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the parade by food trucks: Chicken or the Egg, Couchpota-Doh, The Flying Deutschman, The Flying V, Hoff’s Kettle Corn, Island Noodles, McKenzie’s Cruisin’ Kart, The Perk Up Truck and Vince’s Cheesesteaks.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available to be attraction, division or parade sponsors.

For more information on the parade or to be involved, call 610-437-5524, ext. 1165, or email mdragovits@whitehalltownship.com.

Whitehall-Coplay School District is getting in on the Halloween fun as well. The annual bonfire will follow the parade Oct. 7 near the football stadium parking lot. There will be food trucks and yard games at the bonfire.

The Whitehall High School Homecoming game is set for Oct. 8, where the Homecoming court will be introduced at halftime.

The Homecoming dance is set for 7-10 p.m. Oct. 9.

This year’s Homecoming slogan is “Life has no remote; get up and change it yourself.”

Coplay Recreation and Welfare Association’s Halloween parade is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 19. The deadline to register to be part of the parade is Sept. 30.

For more information, email coplayhalloweenparade1@yahoo.com.

There is a fall historical walk set for 9 a.m. Oct. 23 on the Ironton Rail Trail. This free event will start at the Whitehall Parkway barn, 4041 Chestnut St.

The 7-mile walk is expected to take approximately four hours at a leisurely pace. There will be occasional stops to view buildings, historical sites and landmarks.

For more information, email rail.trail@yahoo.com or call 610-437-5524, ext. 1135.

Both the Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough trick-or-treat nights are 6-8 p.m. Oct. 29, with a rain date of Oct. 30. Remember to turn on your porch light if you want to welcome trick-or-treaters.

No matter how you choose to celebrate this autumn season, have fun and be safe!