CHELSEA SCARECROW TRAIL
Where: Participating locations throughout Chelsea
When: Oct. 1-31
Cost: Free to explore
Details: Follow the trail around Chelsea during the city’s inaugural Scarecrow Trail, a monthlong fall decorating tradition featuring creative displays from local businesses, schools, churches, nonprofits, civic groups and city departments. Each participating organization will create and display its own family-friendly scarecrow, and residents and visitors can use the city’s official trail map to discover the displays throughout town. The event will also include judging in several categories and a People’s Choice vote.
Contact: Brandy Pate, City of Chelsea, 205-678-8455 ext. 106
More Info: cityofchelsea.com/672/Chelsea-Scarecrow-Trail
Jared Brotman
APPALACHIAN HERITAGE SERIES: CRAFTS
Where: Oak Mountain State Park, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, 200 Terrace Drive
When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m.
Cost: Park admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 4-11 and seniors 62 and older. Admission is free for children ages 3 and younger, military members and veterans. Program registration is available online.
Details: Explore traditional Appalachian handcrafts at Oak Mountain State Park. Participants can learn the basics of quilting on Oct. 3, make a traditional corn husk doll on Oct. 4 and try their hand at pine needle basketry on Oct. 10. Each hands-on program begins at 2 p.m. at the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center.
Contact: Oak Mountain State Park, 205-620-2520
More Info: alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park/park-events-and-programs
LUXXCREATIVE.COM
NORTH SHELBY FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Where: North Shelby Library, Meeting Room, 5521 Cahaba Valley Road
When: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m.
Details: The Friends of North Shelby Library will hold its annual board meeting to elect or re-elect officers. The Friends organization supports the library and its programs, services and resources for the community.
Contact: 205-439-5500
More Info: northshelbylibrary.org
FIRESIDE FOLKLORE: HOLLER HAUNTS & HIDDEN CREATURES OF APPALACHIA
Where: Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive
When: Friday, Oct. 9, 6 p.m.
Details: Venture into the eerie side of Appalachian folklore during this evening program at Oak Mountain State Park. Explore legendary creatures, mysterious tales and stories passed down through generations while learning more about the cultural roots behind some of the region’s most enduring legends. Registration is available online.
Contact: Oak Mountain State Park, 205-620-2520
More Info: alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park/park-events-and-programs
CHELSEA HOMETOWN HARVEST
Where: Melrose Park & Splash Pad
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: Most activities are free; food, beverages and Pumpkin Patch Passes are available for purchase.
Details: Celebrate fall at Chelsea’s new Hometown Harvest, a family-friendly festival filled with pumpkins, hayrides, games and hometown fun. Families can enjoy activities such as face painting, carnival-style games, a petting zoo and fall crafts while browsing a curated market of local farmers, bakers, food producers and other vendors. Food trucks and vendors will also be on site, and guests can purchase a Pumpkin Patch Pass to select a pumpkin to take home.
Contact: Brandy Pate, City of Chelsea, 205-678-8455 ext. 106
More Info: cityofchelsea.com
LUXXCREATIVE.COM
POKÉMON TRADING CLUB
Where: Chelsea Public Library, 16623 U.S. 280
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10-11 a.m.
Details: Pokémon fans can bring their cards to Chelsea Public Library’s Pokémon Trading Club for a morning of trading, collecting and connecting with other fans. Kids can compare their collections, make new friends and share their enthusiasm for the popular trading card game in a relaxed library setting.
Contact: Chelsea Public Library, 205-678-6190
More Info: cityofchelsea.com
MT LAUREL TRICK OR TREAT AT THE LIBRARY
Where: Mt Laurel Library, 111 Olmsted St.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Celebrate Halloween with a stop at Mt Laurel Library for some daytime trick-or-treating. Children and families can visit the library throughout the day to pick up candy, with allergy-friendly non-candy options also available. The event is open to all ages, and no registration is required.
Contact: Mt Laurel Library, 205-991-1660
More Info: mtlaurellibrary.org
CHELSEA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Tuesdays: Dementia Caregiver Support Group. 10-11 a.m.
Wednesdays: Tot Time – Preschool Story Time. 10:30-11 a.m.
Thursdays: Musical Munchkins. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Fridays: BYOC – Bring Your Own Craft. 1 p.m.
Oct. 3: Read.Play.Create. Teen Program: Halloween Special Effects Makeup Demo. 1-3 p.m. Christopher Screws of Pinson Valley High School’s Special Effects Academy will demonstrate how to create realistic wounds and airbrush zombie makeup for teens.
Oct. 6: Adult Craft: Create a Festive Spackled Ghost Canvas. 6 p.m.
Oct. 8: 2nd Chapter Book Club: “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett. 11:30 a.m.
Oct. 13 and 27: Paws for Reading. 3-4 p.m. Young readers can practice reading aloud to specially trained Hand in Paw therapy dogs.
Oct. 17: STEAM Spooktacular. 1-4 p.m. Patio. Spooky STEAM activities will be offered on the library patio.
Oct. 19: Books and Bites Book Club: “Pen Pal” by J.T. Geissinger. 6 p.m.
For a complete list of library programs, visit cityofchelsea.com/228/Programs.
NORTH SHELBY & MT LAUREL LIBRARIES
Oct. 2 and 16: Mt Laurel Ukulele Storytime. 10-10:30 a.m. Mt Laurel Library, Ann Price Activity Room. Children ages 5 and younger can enjoy stories, songs and bubbles with a caregiver.
Oct. 8 and 22: Color Therapy. 5:30 p.m. North Shelby Library. Adults can relax with snacks and coloring; registration required.
Oct. 10: Mt Laurel Crafty Saturday. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mt Laurel Library, Freeman Community Room. Stop by to make a fun craft or take one home while supplies last.
Oct. 12: Mt Laurel Needle Arts Group. 2-4 p.m. Mt Laurel Library, Ann Price Activity Room. Knitters, crocheters and other needle crafters can gather and work on projects together.
Oct. 12: Novel Horizons Book Club. 5:45 p.m. North Shelby Library, Mueller Annex Classroom. Adults can connect over the month’s book selection; registration required.
Oct. 14: Cozy Moms Book Club. 9:30 a.m. North Shelby Library. Moms can enjoy a morning of reading and conversation with others in the community; registration required.
Oct. 20: Mt Laurel Mommy & Me Music Group. 10:30-11 a.m. Mt Laurel Library, Ann Price Activity Room. Children ages 5 and younger and their caregivers can enjoy instruments, movement and familiar songs.
