Oct 1 – 27 – Wildlife “Scary” Park – 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at 3826 N. Taylor Rd., Hanna City. Call (309) 657-2681. Admission: $7/members; $8 non-members; age 1 & under FREE. “Nights of Fright” will be on Oct. 19 – 21 & 26 – 28 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Merry-Not-So-Scary: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. each night for the little ones. $8.00 for non-members/$7.00 for members; children 1 and under are free.

Oct 3 – Whisper and Shout at Contemporary Art Center – 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Peoria’s open mic for sharing and inspiring poetry and features a popular regionally known poet. Visit www.peoriacac.org

Oct 3 – Spider Hill – Biggest Haunted House Festival in Central IL! 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. at Three Sisters Park. Call 309-274-8837. $8 per attraction. Featured attractions – Massacre Mansion haunted house, Trail of Terror walking trail, Haunted Express wagon ride – & family-friendly Boo Barn.

Oct 3 – 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Dunlap Library – Page Turners Book Club – “The Orphan Train: the Story of Charles Loring Brace” by Stephen O’Connor -6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Also “College Visits: When, Where, How?” Ideal for parents w/students grades 8-11. Registration requested. Call 309-243-5716 to reserve.

Oct 4 – First Community Bingo event for Seniors (65 and better) will be held at the Courtyard Estates of Peoria 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. A light breakfast will be served.

Oct 6 – St. Martin Chamber Players in Concert – A Britten Birthday Bash at 3:00 p.m. at Universalist Unitarian. A free-will offering accepted. A reception follows. Call 688-5608.

Oct 8 – The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s 61st Annual Style Show, “Project Runway – Make It Work!” Four Points by Sheraton at 11:30 a.m. Evening dessert show at 7:30 p.m. Guests will see the latest fashions from area stores. $30 lunch tickets call 692-2400/$15 evening show, call 691-7636.

Oct 8 – IPMR STAR- Survivorship Training & Rehabilitation – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Komen office, Metro Center, 4700 N University, suite 92. Learn how the group of specialists at IPMR can improve your function and quality of life. Confirm your spot by calling 696-6906. Walk-ins welcome.

Oct 9 – Make a Blanket Day to benefit Project Linus will be held at: Jones Sewing Machine Co., 3410 N. Prospect Rd. Join the fun between 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. Sewing machines, fabric squares, and fleece are provided. Bring your favorite notions & your own lunch.

Oct 10 – Peoria County Genealogical Society’s October speaker John Durdle will present: “Researching Germany – Primarily the Ostriesland Area.” Many of these people settled in Peoria & Tazewell Counties in Illinois. Join at 6:30 p.m. at the Peoria Public Library, North Branch — 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.

Oct 11 – 12 – Howl-Zoo-Ween – @ Peoria Zoo at Glen Oak Park, 2218 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria. Howl-Zoo-Ween is the Peoria Zoo’s way of celebrating Halloween.

Oct 12- Peoria Poetry Club meets at Riverview Senior Living Community, 500 Centennial Dr., East Peoria. Guests can bring a sack lunch at 11:30 a.m., read a poem at our noon roll call, and enjoy a program at 1:00 p.m. Call 822-8308 or visit peoriapoetryclub.com.

Oct 12 – The Peoria Chapter of the American Sewing Guild to host annual “Sew Special” event at EP!C (formerly PARC), 1913 W. Townline Rd. Sewing workshops, Make It With Wool contest & style show, continental breakfast & box lunch, door prizes, & vendor tables. Fee: $60 for non-members/$50 for members/$35 for students. Register by Oct. 3rd. Call 309-245-4884.

Oct 13 –Dogs & their owners will hightail to the Peoria Riverfront for the Peoria Humane Society’s 17th annual Bark in the Park. Proceeds benefit humane education, low-cost spay/neuter, cruelty rescue, volunteer, community awareness, adoption programs, etc. http://www.peoriahs.org/

Oct 15 – Peoria Knit & Crochet Guild will meet 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the North Study Room of the Lakeview Library. Call 550-2997.

Oct 15 – Join the artists and artisans of Prairie Fiber Arts Guild at Contemporary Arts Center, 305 S.W. Commercial Alley, Peoria for their wearable art Runway. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Runway begins 7:00 p.m. Cash bar opens at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 in advance/$7.50 at the door and are available from website: www.prairiefiberartsguild.org.

Oct 16–20 – Susan Komen Memorial Marathon, IL Valley Striders – at Running Central.309-657-2478.

Oct 17 – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Dunlap Library – “Winterizing Your Garden” – Learn how to put your garden to rest for the cold winter months! Presented by U of I Extension Gardener Lee Maki. Registration requested. Call 309-243-5716 to reserve your free seat.

Oct 17 – 19 – All Saints Greek Orthodox Church Fall Food Fest & Bake Sale from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Greek, Mediterranean, & Romanian Food and Bakery Items. Call 309-678-8746

Oct 18 – Uncorked! Join us at Uncorked for a fabulous night of dancing and sampling of the finest wines, craft beer and hors d’oeuvres. Party starts at 6:00 p.m., visit www.hulthealthy.org to reserve your tickets today. Call 309-692-6650. Admission: 75.00.

Oct 19 – The 33rd Annual Bishop Hill Fiber Guild Spin-In / Hooks, Needles, & Wheels – 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, East Peoria. Bring hooks, needles, wheels & plan to spend the day for shopping.$5.00 entry for Shopping Only; $15.00 entry for Full Experience Spin-In. Call 309-472-7085.

Oct 20 – Susan G. Komen Memorial Promise Run & Relay at 8:00 a.m. Downtown Peoria near Civic Center. Half marathon- $70 two person relay- $40. It is the most popular competitive running distance in the country. Early registration is underway at http://www.komenmemorial.org/Call 309-691-6906

Oct 21 – Women Writers Hour – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Peoria Public Library North Branch. Free. Call 309-497-2120. Four women writers will read from their works & share why they write & who inspires them. Writers: Pam Adams, Tara Haelle, Stacey Robertson and Deborah Ruddell.

Oct 21 – 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Dunlap Library – Monday Morning Book Club – Can’t join a book club because of a childcare dilemma? Story time toys will be there for the kids to enjoy while we adults discuss our monthly book. We will be discussing “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte.

Oct 22 – IPMR Explains- is it Normal Aging or Dementia? 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at IPMR Senior World, 719 N Wm Kumpf Blvd, Ste 300. Join us for an informational meeting about memory disorders. Dr. Lisa Snyder will speak at 6:00 PM. Call 309-495-4530 to reserve your free space. Refreshments. Visit ipmr.org.

Oct 22 – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Dunlap Library – “College Affordability” – Need-based grants & merit-based scholarships to help families. Info presented will be most helpful for parents of high school sophomores and juniors. Registration requested. Call 309-243-5716 to reserve your free seat.

Oct 24 – ZOOBREW and Wine Too! – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. @ Peoria Zoo. Call 309-681-3500. Guests sample a wide variety of beers and wines during this fun fall evening. Unlimited drink tastings, appetizers from local restaurants, tours of the Africa! Exhibit, live music, & special desserts!

Oct 24 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Dunlap Library – 7-Ups Book Club – Join our discussion for “The Husband List” by Janet Evanovich.

Oct 28 – Women Writers Hour – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Peoria Public Library North Branch. Free. Call 309-497-2120. Four women writers will read from their works, share why they write, & who inspires them. Writers: Terry Bibo, Brenda Rothert, Monica Vest Wheeler, Demetrice Worley.