Burlington County Weekend: Autumn Lands, Bordentown Halloween Parade, Haunted Tours

Good morning, Burlington County. Halloween season hits full stride this weekend. Autumn Lands brings axe-throwing lumberjacks, a cryptid maze and a Houdini séance to Historic Smithville Park on Saturday, Bordentown City's Halloween Parade steps off Sunday afternoon, and the haunted jail in Mount Holly and a haunted walking tour at Doane Academy in Burlington City both run Friday and Saturday nights. Early voting for the Nov. 3 election also opens Saturday at 10 sites around the county. Here's what's happening.

Friday

Haunting on High Street, Mount Holly

The historic Burlington County Prison Museum, 128 High St., becomes a haunt again tonight and Saturday, with groups guided through all three floors of the old jail by costumed scare actors and a courtyard party outside. Time slots start at 7 p.m., and tickets run $15 to $30. Walkthrough tickets are sold online in advance and have been selling out. It returns Oct. 30–31. Details and tickets

Doane's Dungeon, Burlington City

Doane Academy's riverfront campus turns into an immersive haunted walking tour Friday and Saturday nights, with classic and modern literary horror stories acted out along the route. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and timed tours leave from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10, and each tour is capped at 12 people. The 6, 6:15 and 6:30 tours are sensory friendly and a good fit for younger kids; later tours include fog, strobe lights and jump scares and are suggested for ages 10 and up. Purchases at the event are cash only. Tickets

Also Friday

Panel of Power, Women, Words & Wisdom's leadership panel, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Indian Spring Country Club, 115 S. Elmwood Road, Evesham. Ticketed. Event page
Crafternoon: DIY Mummy Bottles, noon at the Maple Shade Library. Recycled bottles, gauze and googly eyes. Event page

Saturday

Autumn Lands, Eastampton

The county's free fall festival fills Historic Smithville Park from 2 to 7 p.m. This year's theme is cryptids, with a fog-filled maze where the Jersey Devil is said to roam. The main stage features the Axe Women Loggers of Maine, an all-female team that chops, saws, throws axes and rolls logs. There's also a Magic Land that ends the night with a Harry Houdini séance for the 100th anniversary of his death, an 1890s magic lantern show, silent films with a live synth soundtrack, a bonfire with s'mores, a pumpkin hayride and painting for kids, a makers' market, food trucks and a craft beer garden. Festival page and map

Halloween Harvest Classic at GrindStone Stables, Shamong

A free family day at 1418 Old Indian Mills Road: a Halloween costume contest from 9 to 10 a.m., then a horse show and vendor market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with pony rides, food trucks and local artisans. Pony rides and food cost extra. Event page

Trunk-or-Treat for Children with Special Needs, Westampton

The county's free, inclusive trunk-or-treat runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the Burlington County Special Services School, 20 Pioneer Blvd. Children, teens and adults can come in costume and visit decorated cars and emergency vehicles for small toys and candy, with music, games and crafts too. Details

Early voting opens

In-person early voting for the Nov. 3 general election starts Saturday and runs through Sunday, Nov. 1. Any registered voter in the county's 40 towns can vote by machine at any of the 10 early voting sites. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Oct. 26–31, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 1. On Election Day you have to vote at your assigned polling place. Early voting information

Also Saturday

Willingboro Art Alliance artist talk, 10 a.m. at the Burlington County Library in Westampton, featuring artist Dominique Samarco. Free. Event page
Sewing 101: Zombie Pin Cushion, 11:30 a.m. at the Pemberton Library. Basic hand sewing for ages 7 and up; materials provided. Event page
Medicare Open Enrollment Made Easy, 12:30 p.m. at the Cinnaminson Library: what's new in Parts A, B and D, plus Social Security claiming strategies. Event page
Teen Halloween Pop-Up, 3 p.m. at the Pemberton Library's new teen room. Paint Halloween figures and meet the new teen librarian. Event page

Sunday

Bordentown Halloween Parade

Bordentown City's annual parade, sponsored by the Consolidated Fire Association, steps off at 2 p.m. Father Matt Tucker and Doan Tucker of Christ Church Bordentown are the grand marshals. The lineup starts on Elizabeth Street, and the route follows Second Street, Park Street and Farnsworth Avenue before turning onto East Union and Crosswicks streets. The rain date is Nov. 1. Details

Jack-O-Lantern Walk, Bordentown City

Stay in town after the parade: the Bordentown City Creative Team's third annual Jack-O-Lantern Walk lights up Hilltop Park from 6 to 8 p.m., with live music and Mr. Softee. Anyone can contribute a pumpkin. Bring it pre-carved, with one or two battery-operated lights inside, to the park Sunday morning. No registration is needed, and it isn't a contest. Park entrances are at Bank and Second streets and on Farnsworth Avenue. Details

Also Sunday

Fall Festival at Majoda Stables, 620 Garwood Road, Moorestown. The therapeutic riding barn's first fall festival has vendors, games, food, a silent auction and raffles. Check the barn's page for the start time. Event page
Adult Craft Event, 1 p.m. at the Burlington County Library in Westampton: a cardstock jack-o'-lantern decoration. Event page

All weekend

Haunting on High Street, Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. in Mount Holly. Details
Doane's Dungeon, Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. in Burlington City. Tickets
Early voting, Saturday and Sunday at 10 sites countywide. Info

More library programs across the county's branches are on the County Brief events calendar.

Around the county

A new countywide push on hunger. The Burlington County Commissioners have created a Food Security Coalition of up to 25 appointees to coordinate food pantries, houses of worship, local governments and other groups. Its first project is a free grocery distribution with the Food Bank of South Jersey on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at the county Emergency Services Training Center, 53 Academy Drive, Westampton. County announcement

The story of Point Breeze. The Bordentown City Environmental Commission hosts "Earth Talk: Point Breeze" on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 420 Farnsworth Ave. City, NJDEP and D&R Greenway representatives will discuss the 2020 purchase of the former Divine Missionaries property. The site now holds the city's municipal complex and police department and D&R Greenway's Discovery Center, and a state park is planned there. Details

Halloween curfew in Cinnaminson. The Township Committee has set a 9 p.m. curfew for Mischief Night and Halloween. Meeting recap

Plans change, so check each event's page before you head out. Have something for next weekend? Submit an event.