As the fall air begins to settle in, it beckons in one of the busiest times of the year in Pike County for events and celebrations.

October has already been a busy month, and even more events are scheduled as Halloween, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving approach.

This Friday, the City of Troy invites families to come enjoy Downtown Movie night at 6:30 p.m. to watch the classic tale of Casper the friendly ghost.

The fun on the Square continues Saturday with a watch party as the Troy Trojans take on Georgia State on the road. The city encourages fans to come enjoy the Trojans together on the big screen to keep the game day atmosphere alive.

The Boys and Girls Club will host a Halloween Dance on Friday with a cost of $6 for members and $8 for non-members. Food will be provided. The club encourages everyone to come wearing costumes

Troy Eye Care is holding a “Pumpkin Patch” contest until Tuesday, October 29, for people to decorate pumpkin’s with an eye patch to raise awareness for childhood amblyopia. First place will receive $100, second place will be awarded $50 and third place will receive $25. Dr. Shanna May will be donating to the Troy Lions Club for every pumpkin entered into the contest.

Pumpkins for the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest can be dropped off at the library all week to be judged at the Peanut Butter Festival. The full set of rules is available at the library.

The City of Brundidge hosts the 28th annual Peanut Butter Festival downtown. The festival features a 5-K Peanut Butter Run, live entertainment, old-time demonstrations, games, contests, food and frolic and the Nutter Butter Parade. Parade lineup is at 12:15 p.m. and the parade steps off at 12:40 p.m. to be downtown by 1 p.m.

The “Brush Arbor Singing” kicks off the festival Wednesday night at 6:30 at the Bass House.

Premier Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is hosting a multi-faceted fundraiser for the Pike Medical Foundation, beginning with the first annual clay shoot at owner Jason Gregory’s farm. The shoot begins at 2 p.m. Tickets for the clay shoot are $375 for an individual or $1,500 for a four-person team. Team tickets include the 18-station clay shoot, a catered lunch and eight tickets to see the Tams in concert Saturday night. Clay shoot teams can register at premierclayshoot.com.

Tickets to see the Tams perform can also be purchased individually. Single tickets are $100 each while tickets for couples are $150 total. Tickets can be picked up at Premier in Troy. The tickets also include a steak and shrimp dinner prepared by Yanni Tempelis of Pig Café and Francesca’s. The dinner concert will also feature a cash bar and silent auction to raise funds for the foundation.

Trunk or treating picks up next week ahead of Halloween on Thursday. First Baptist Church will host its trunk or treat on Sunday, October 27. Pumpkins Around the Square will return to the Square on Tuesday, October 29 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring The Messenger’s annual Kids in Costume contest. Businesses around the Square and other organizations and vendors will be there for children to trick or treat a couple days early.

Also on Tuesday, October 29, Troy softball will host its annual trunk or treat from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the softball field; Guardian Credit Union will host its inaugural fall fest from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; SARHA will host a trunk or treat from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tupper Lightfoot will host its haunted library at 6 p.m.; and many others.

On Wednesday, October 30, Park Memorial UMC, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, and the Church of Latter Day Saints will host a combined trunk or treat at the three adjacent churches.

The cities of Troy and Brundidge will host trick or treating on Halloween night.

The events are far from over on Halloween.

Adams’ Glass Studio hosts its “Countdown to Christmas” on November 2.

The Exchange Club will host its annual One Nation Under God breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5, with guest speaker Rev. Rick Hayes of Hephzibah Baptist Church. The breakfast will be hosted at the First Baptist Church of Troy. Everyone is invited, but guests are asked to rsvp by email to wcloftroy@gmail.com or by phone at 334-465-0068.

Meanwhile, the Chamber will host its “Pathways to Success” breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5, at the Troy Recreation Center, featuring a panel on workforce development opportunities in Pike County.

Also on November 5, at a time yet to be determined, the “Cradle to Career” education forum series will continue to discuss actions that can be taken based on the challenges and opportunities identified in previous meetings. A time and location will be announced shortly.

The Troy Elementary School Fall Festival will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on November 7, featuring the “kiss the pig” contest and cake walk as well as many games and prizes.

Alabama’s official folklife play “Come Home, it’s Suppertime” will show at the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge November 7–9 and November 14–16.

The Park Band will perform on the Square on Friday, November 8, to celebrate Troy University Homecoming.

The annual Troy University Homecoming and Appreciation Parade will march downtown at 10 a.m. to celebrate the Trojans and root them on to victory on Saturday, November 9.

The Pike County Cattlewomen’s Christmas Bazaar will help transition from the fall to the Christmas season from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 16 at the Cattlemen’s Park.