As the fall season kicks into high gear, the Township of Nutley has announced a full schedule of events for the month of October. As one of the busiest months of the year, Nutley has a full slate packed with events designed for everyone from toddlers to seniors.
 
The schedule kicks off on Wednesday, October 2nd, with a Coffee with a Cop event taking place at 10am at Valley Bank’s Franklin Ave. location. Coffee with a Cop allows the community to come out and share a cup of coffee and get to know our dedicated police officers. No speeches or lectures, just great conversation and java!
 
On October 3rd, Mayor John V. Kelly III and the Public Affairs and Health Department will be presenting their first “No Homework Family Fun Thursday Movie Night” at Yantacaw Park behind Nutley High School (Vincent Place). The featured movie will be the classic comedy Hocus Pocus. Food trucks will be present for great snacks, and a great time is guaranteed! Pre-movie fun begins at 6pm followed promptly by the movie at 6:30pm.
 
Commissioner Joseph P. Scarpelli and the Department of Public Works will host Leaf Bag Distribution Day and Food Drive on Saturday, October 5th at the Public Works Garage (located at 1 Cortland Street) from 8am to 1pm. Commissioner Scarpelli is once again asking residents to help stock the Nutley Food Pantry. Canned goods, cereal, peanut butter, pasta, and rice are all needed. The DPW will also present Hanger Recycling Day & Rigid Plastic Recycling Day on Sunday, October 13th from 9:00am - 2:00pm in Municipal Parking Lot 7.
 
Commissioner Scarpelli, in conjunction with GreenNutley, invites everyone to attend the season’s final Farmers Markets, which take place every Sunday through October 27th from 9am to 2pm in Municipal Parking Lot 7 (507 Franklin Ave.).
 
On Thursday, October 10th, the Public Affairs and Health Department will host a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Los Jarros Mexican Grill Restaurant (85 Union Ave.) from 5pm to 7pm; on Sunday, October 20th, Mayor  Kelly brings the popular Paws in the Park celebration back to the weekly Sunday Farmers Market. Bring your fur babies! On Tuesday, October 22nd, the department presents a Navigating Medicare seminar at the Nutley Public Library from 10am to noon.
 
Commissioner Alphonse Petracco and the Nutley Fire Department will be presenting the 42nd Annual Fire Prevention Open House on Friday, October 11th at the Public Safety building. The family-friendly event will feature bouncy houses, train rides, refreshments and much more.
 
With Halloween closing out the month, Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci and the Department of Parks and Recreation kick off the holiday celebrations with the Grandma/Grandpa and Me Pumpkin Painting Party on Wednesday, October 16th. Commissioner Tucci is pleased to invite grandparents and their little pumpkins to this very special Halloween Pumpkin Painting Party, being held at the Parks and Recreation Department (44 Park Ave.) from 6pm to 7:30pm. The evening will include light refreshments, a pumpkin and paint for each child. The fee for this special event is $5.00 per child; grandparents are admitted free! The department also brings back the widely popular Spooktacular Halloween Party on Friday, October 25th. All are invited to enjoy hayrides, music, candy apples, snacks, drinks and more.
 
Continuing the Halloween festivities are the Public Affairs and Health Department’s Spooky Sprint on Sunday, October 27th at 2:30pm, followed by the Public Safety Department’s 14th annual Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 31st at 3:30pm at the Nutley Township Public Safety Building. The popular event will once again feature decorated car trunks, treats and entertainment. The Public Safety Department-sponsored event is an opportunity for the “Trunk or Treaters” to be able to visit the Nutley Police and Fire station in a positive way, enhancing the relationship between police, fire and the community, in a well-lit and secure area.
 
There is truly something for everyone this October in Nutley!