Today
Contra dance — You can join the musical group Hu$hmoney with its jigs and reels in a contra dance from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at the Boston Township School House at Riverview Road and state Route 303 in Peninsula. Instruction will be offered at 7 p.m. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. The fee is $6.
Ghost stories — Ghost Stories of the Civil War is the title of the Civil War lecture at 7 p.m. at the GAR Hall and Museum at Riverview Road and state Route 303 in Peninsula. www.peninsulahistory.org.
Halloween hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 7 p.m. at the Hunt Farm Visitor Information Center off Bolanz Road in Cuyahoga Falls for a five-mile Halloween hike. 330-923-6371.
Stories for tots — The Medina County Park District is offering stories on bats for youngsters 3 to 6 years old and accompanying adults at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. The stories will be repeated at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday. Part of the program will be outdoors so dress accordingly. Advance registration is required. 330-722-9364.
Friday
Pedal, campfire — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a 12-mile, family-friendly bike ride, to be followed by a campfire. It will run from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Meet at Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park off Riverview Road on Peninsula. Helmets and lights are required. Riders must provide own bikes, chairs and campfire food. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
Morning hike — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is conducting a rise-and-shine hike at 9 a.m. Meet at the Chuckery Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park. That’s off Cuyahoga Street in North Akron. 330-865-8065.
Junior Rangers — The Cuyahoga Valley park is presenting a Junior Rangers program on hooting owls and night skies for youngsters 7 to 12 years old. It will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The fee is $8. Adults must attend with participating children at no charge. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, location and more information.
Lock-tober fest — The Cascade Locks Park Association and Thirsty Dog Brewery are holding Lock-tober Fest with brats and beverages from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mustill Store off West North Street near downtown Akron. Donations accepted. 330-374-5625.
Fit Friday — The Stark County Park District is offering a Fit Friday hike on the Olde Muskingum Trail at 9 a.m. Meet at the Butterbridge Road Trailhead off Butterbridge Road in Lawrence Township. 330-409-8096.
Ghost tours — Historic Zoar Village off state Route 212 in northern Tuscarawas County is conducting ghost tours that will depart every 15 minutes between 6 and 7:30 p.m. The tours will continue Saturday evening. Tickets are $15, $10 for children 9 and under. Advance reservations are required. 330-874-3011.
Saturday
Bird walk — Ranger Paul Motts will lead a fall bird walk from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley park. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. The target is wetland ducks.
Brandywine Falls hikes — The National Park Service is offering ranger-led hikes at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Brandywine Falls. The hikes will be repeated at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. The 60-foot-high falls are off Brandywine Road in Sagamore Hills Township.
Hanging out at Hunt — The National Park Service is offering family activities from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hunt Farm Visitor Information Center off Bolanz Road in Cuyahoga Falls. The fun will continue from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Invasive removal — The National Park Service is seeking volunteers to help remove exotic plants from 9 a.m. to noon in the Cuyahoga Valley park. To register and get the location, call 330-657-2299 or go to www.nps.gov/cuva/supportyourpark/volunteer-activities.htm.
Night orienteering — Use a map and compass to negotiate a cross-country course with the North Eastern Ohio Orienteering Club in the Cuyahoga Valley park. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Kendall Lake Shelter off Truxell Road in Boston Township. Staggered starts begin at 7 p.m. There are courses for all skill levels. Bring a whistle and compass. The fee is $8. 216-285-0627 or www.neooc.com.
Changing seasons — Artwork on Changing Seasons in the Valley by the Crooked River Gang, a group of local artists, will be featured in an exhibit at the M.D. Garage in the Cuyahoga Valley park. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1556 Boston Mills Road, Boston Township. The show continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Trail cleanup — Volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Plateau Trail in the Cuyahoga valley park. Meet at the Oak Hill Trailhead off Oak Hill Road in Boston Township. Wear sturdy boots and bring a small pack with lunch, water and work gloves. 330-678-9028.
Hike, breakfast — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is offering a hike and breakfast at 8 a.m. at Goodyear Heights Metro Park off Newton Street in East Akron. Advance registration is required. You will be notified what food item to bring. 330-865-8065.
Night hike — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is having a night hike on the 1.1-mile Cherry Lane/Fernwood Loop at 7 p.m. Meet at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 330-865-8065.
Scarecrow Day — You can learn about crows on Scarecrow Day. Prizes for the best scarecrows and crow-calling contests from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Advance registration is required. Some materials will be provided. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
Meet Cheeks — You can meet Cheeks the Chipmunk, the costumed mascot of Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 330-865-8065.
Canal cleanup — The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and AECOM are having the Trash and Treat Canal Cleanup from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. starting at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron. Dress in costume and help clean up along the canal. 330-374-5657.
Healthful hike — The Medina County Park District is having a healthful hike in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9 to 11 a.m. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. For ages 10 to adult. Dress for the weather and have appropriate footwear. 330-722-9364.
Falcon fun — The Medina County Park District is presenting a nature program on falcons at 2 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. 330-722-9364.
World of owls — Laura Jordan of the Medina Raptor Center will present a nature program on owls at 7 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. See live owls and join a short hike to attempt to call in owls from the wild. For ages 8 to adult. 330-722-9364.
Valley hike — The Portage Trail Walkers hiking club will meet at 9 a.m. at the Oak Hill Trailhead in the Cuyahoga Valley park for a five-mile hike on the Plateau Trail. The trailhead is off Oak Hill Road in Boston Township. 330-673-6896.
Four hikes — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 9 a.m. at Furnace Run Metro Park off Townsend Road in Richfield Township and then move to Deep Lock Quarry, O’Neil Woods and the Nature Realm for four metro park hikes in one day. 330-923-6371.
Bird banding — The University of Mount Union’s John T. Huston-Dr. John D. Brumbaugh Nature Center is hosting a bird-banding demonstration from 8 to 10 a.m. The center is on Dan Street in Washington Township. 330-823-7487.
Night skies — The Wilderness Center at 9877 Alabama Ave. SW in Sugar Creek Township is having a planetarium show on the night sky at 2 p.m. For all ages. 877-359-5235.
Wild concert — The Wilderness Center at 9877 Alabama Ave. SW in Sugar Creek Township is presenting a concert by the Stockdale Family Band at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 15 and younger if accompanied by adults.
Sunday
Full-moon run — Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park is having a full-moon cross-country-style run for runners, joggers and walkers at 9 p.m. in the park. Meet at the Happy Days Lodge off state Route 303 in Boston Heights. For more information, call Jason Slanina at 330-657-2909, ext. 136, or jslanina@forcvnp.org. Forms are available at www.conservancyforcvnp.org.
Valley hike — The National Park Service is planning a healthful hike of six miles on the challenging Buckeye Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley. It will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road in Cuyahoga Falls.
Quail Hollow hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 2:30 p.m. at Quail Hollow State Park near Hartville for a five-mile hike. Meet in the Shady Lane parking area. The park is at 13480 Congress Lake Road NE, Lake Township. 330-923-6371.
Portage hike — The Portage Park District is sponsoring a guided hike at 1 p.m. on the Berlin Lake Trail. Meet at the trailhead off state Route 224 in Deerfield Township. 330-297-7728.
Halloween hullabaloo — The Medina County Park District is presenting its Halloween Hullabaloo from noon to 5 p.m. at the Susan Hambley Nature Center with short hikes, crafts, games, refreshments. Come in costume. All ages welcome. The center is at 4173 Parschen Blvd., Brunswick. 330-722-9364.
Photo meeting — The Medina County Park District will host a meeting of the Photographers of the Park Club at 3 p.m. at park offices, 6364 Deerview Lane, Medina. For ages 16 to adult. 330-239-4814.
Monday
Full-moon hike — The National Park Service is sponsoring a full-moon hike on the Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley park from 7 to 9 p.m. Meet at the Botzum Trailhead off Riverview Road in North Akron.
Full-moon hike II — The Wilderness Center at 9877 Alabama Ave. SW in Sugar Creek Township is holding a full-moon hike at 5:30 p.m. The hike will be canceled if the weather is bad. 877-359-5235.
Labyrinth walk — The University of Mount Union’s John T. Huston-Dr. John D. Brumbaugh Nature Center is hosting a labyrinth walk from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The center is on Dan Street in Washington Township. 330-823-7487.
Molly by moonlight — The Stark County Park District is holding a full-moon hike at 6 p.m. at Molly Stark Park off Columbus Road NE in Nimishillen Township. 330-409-8096.
Tuesday
Collecting seeds — The National Park Service is seeking volunteers to collect seeds from native plants in the Cuyahoga Valley. They are needed from 1 to 4 p.m. To volunteer and to get the location, call 330-657-2299 or www.nps.gov/cuva/supportyourpark/volunteer-activities.htm.
Mogadore hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 7 p.m. at Lions Park off Hale Avenue in Mogadore for a four-mile sidewalks-and-cemetery hike. 330-923-6371.
Full-moon hike — The Medina County Park District is holding a full-moon hike at 7 p.m. at Buckeye Woods Park off state Route 162 in Lafayette Township. Meet at the central shelter near the pond. 330-722-9364.
Wednesday
Healthful hike — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a healthful hike at 10 a.m. at Furnace Run Metro Park. Meet at the Brushwood Area off Townsend Road in Richfield Township. 330-865-8065.
Brecksville hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Station Road Bridge Trailhead off Riverview Road south of state Route 82 in Brecksville. 330-923-6371.
Night life — The University of Mount Union’s John T. Huston-Dr. John D. Brumbaugh Nature Center is hosting a program on night life from 6 to 8 p.m. The center is on Dan Street in Washington Township. 330-823-7487.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning at the beaconjournal.com.
