News · East Windsor, Ewing Township, Hamilton Township, Hightstown, Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township, Princeton, Robbinsville, Trenton City, West Windsor
The Weekend Ahead: Halloween at Mercer County Park, Early Voting Opens and 'Dangerous Women' at Ellarslie
A Halloween night at Mercer County Park, East Windsor's early trick-or-treat, the start of early voting, a new "Dangerous Women Three" show at Trenton City Museum, the Ironhawks at home and more across Mercer County this weekend.
Good morning, Mercer County. Halloween comes a week early this weekend: Mercer County Park hosts its big family night with hayrides and a Truck or Treat on Friday evening, and East Windsor holds a community trick-or-treat at Etra Lake Park on Saturday morning. Early in-person voting for the Nov. 3 election opens Saturday, Trenton City Museum celebrates its new "Dangerous Women Three" exhibition with an opening reception, the Trenton Ironhawks are home at CURE Insurance Arena, and McCarter's "A Beat of Our Own" plays its final weekend.
Friday
- Halloween at Mercer County Park, Festival Grounds, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 5 to 7:30 p.m. The Mercer County Park Commission's main Halloween night: pumpkin painting, hayrides, games, vendors and a Truck or Treat. Free, no registration needed, and costumes are encouraged for all ages.
- Witches' Ball Tricky Tray, German-American Society, 215 Uncle Pete's Road, Hamilton, 7 to 10 p.m. (doors at 6). Held out back in the Biergarten, with desserts included and a cash bar.
- "History, Hauntings & Headlines" Walking Tour, starting at the Graduate by Hilton Princeton, 7 p.m.
- New Jersey Symphony: Beethoven's "Emperor" and Schubert's "Great", Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University, 7:30 p.m.
- A Beat of Our Own, McCarter Theatre's Matthews Theatre, Princeton, 7:30 p.m. It is the final weekend, with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
- Black & White Friday Movie Matinee: The Seventh Seal, Mercer County Library, Ewing Branch, 2 p.m.
Saturday
- Early voting opens for the Nov. 3 general election. In-person early voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 1, at sites across Mercer County, including the Hickory Corner Branch Library, 38 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, and you can vote at any early-voting site in the county. Bring your sample ballot.
- East Windsor Community Trick-or-Treat, Etra Lake Park, Disbrow Hill Road, 10 a.m. to noon. For children 12 and under with an adult: Halloween crafts, face painting, a DJ and a trick-or-treat trail. Free; register through Community Pass. If the weather is iffy, call (609) 443-4000, ext. 400, after 8 a.m.
- Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop off unused and expired medications at the East Windsor Police/Court Building, 80 One Mill Road, or the Mercer County Administration Building, 640 South Broad Street, Trenton.
- Unearthing History, One Page at a Time: The Papers of Mercy Otis Warren, Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch, 10:30 a.m.
- Read to a Therapy Cat, Mercer County Library, Robbinsville Branch, 10 a.m.
- Preschool and Kindergarten Fair, Princeton Public Library, 11 a.m.
- "Dangerous Women Three" opening reception, Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Cadwalader Park, Trenton, 3 to 6 p.m. Ninety women artists from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York pair new work with notable women whose stories inspired them. It is the 30th anniversary of the concept, and admission is free.
- Halloween at the library: Halloween Treat Tasting for Adults at the Ewing Branch (2:30 p.m.), Ghost Canvas Painting at Hickory Corner in East Windsor (2:30 p.m.), Ghost Paper Crafts drop-in at West Windsor (1:30 p.m.) and stencil-painted Halloween tote bags at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch (2:30 p.m.).
- Trenton Ironhawks vs. Adirondack Thunder, CURE Insurance Arena, Trenton, 6 p.m.
Sunday
- HomeFront Halloween Run, Walk and Family Fun Run, 502 Carnegie Center, West Windsor, starting at 9 a.m. Benefits HomeFront's year-round programs for local families and kids.
- Book Brunch: Chad Harbach, Princeton Public Library, 11 a.m.
- A Beat of Our Own, final performance, McCarter's Matthews Theatre, Princeton, 2 p.m.
- Paper Circuits, Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2 p.m.
- Open Acoustic Jam, Princeton Public Library, 3 p.m.
All weekend
- "Dangerous Women Three" opens Friday at Trenton City Museum and runs through Jan. 10. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free; donations welcome.
- Hightstown Halloween Decorating Contest: Borough residents have until Sunday, Oct. 25, to email photos or videos of their decorations to [email protected].
Around the county
- Hamilton: Mayor Jeff Martin announced he will not seek a third term in 2027. He was first elected mayor in 2019.
- Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting is the easiest way to skip the line.
Hosting something next weekend? Submit your event and it may land in next Friday's guide. You can browse everything on the Mercer County events calendar.