Welcome to October, where the leaves start falling, days get annoyingly shorter, and the town takes on a decidedly black and orange flavor in anticipation of Halloween. Let’s start by getting the two big October events posted on your calendar — specifically, the Jack Frost Parade and the ever-popular trick-or-treat night.

Once again, our esteemed Northampton Exchange Club will host this year’s parade, set to kick off 7 p.m. Oct. 16. Starting at the fire station on Lerchenmiller Drive, the parade will turn left onto Smith Lane, then right at Laubach Avenue. Proceeding north on Laubach Avenue past the community center and high school, we’ll then take a left onto 19th Street. Continuing down 19th Street, we’ll take that big left turn into the bright lights of Main Street. Traveling down Main Street, we’ll finish this seasonal extravaganza back at Lerchenmiller Drive.

This parade is one of the longest-running parades in the Lehigh Valley, if not the longest, so be sure to get to your favorite spot early as we always have a sizable turnout throughout the parade route.

Next, in keeping with tradition, trick-or-treat night will be held 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 — Halloween! Since I’ve been mayor, I’ve had the pleasure of riding along with police Chief Kadingo, performing a boroughwide safety patrol during those trick-or-treat hours.

I must say, every year, I don’t know if I’m more impressed with the ingenuity and creativity of the costumes our youngsters wear, the number of moms and dads enjoying the night outdoors with their children or the generosity of so many of our citizens setting up welcoming displays in their driveways, lawns or front porches.

As we travel throughout each neighborhood, an overwhelming spirit of fun, laughter and appreciation by these children permeates throughout. As your mayor and neighbor, I couldn’t be prouder of your selflessness, making Halloween night special to so many children and families. This is where those unforgettable, core childhood memories begin. It’s what continues to make Northampton such a great community.

I’d also like to introduce you to our new junior councilwoman, Xuan Lam. Xuan (pronounced “Shen”), a junior at Northampton Area High School, attended her first council meeting in September and has already opened her two-year term by introducing a most ambitious project. Xuan plans to visit borough businesses, interview the principal players and take a few photos of the entity. Then, assisted by her eight-person committee of classmates, each handling a specialized task, the team will compile the information, polish it up and publish the finished page as the Northampton Business Showcase.

Featured on both Instagram and Facebook sites, her goal is to have an online, informational compilation of the entities that make up our local business community, more up close and personal. I’ve already had the honor of being the first business interviewed, and I must say, the finished product is very professional and well presented. Believe me, this is one motivated team with an even more motivated and focused leader.

Xuan also joined me in the wee hours Sept. 13 to begin setting up for the Uptown Northampton Street Fair. I introduced her to Northampton Chamber of Commerce President Dave Kerper, who invited her to join in marking the street for vendor spacing.

After that, she happily joined in arranging and placing incoming vendors on Main Street, earning well-deserved honorary Chamber of Commerce board member accolades.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce Uptown Northampton Street Fair for the 36th year in operation. What a great day on Main Street!

I especially want to thank our public works department, led by Supervisor Rich Ackerman. Without their time and talents in setting up all the infrastructure along Main Street, this fair would not have been possible.

As I spent a good part of the day walking this event from end to end, talking to many along the way, one thing became obvious to me very quickly. This is no longer just a Northampton event; it’s become a Lehigh Valley event, and rightfully so. Most of the people I spoke with were from points well outside of town, people who have been here before or heard of the fair through the Chamber postings, friends or family.

I’m very happy to have been involved in this event through my years as Chamber president and as a local businessman, watching it become a more and more entertaining, enjoyable and community-spirited event each year. Most of all, the greatest reward for me has been working alongside so many talented, wonderful people, who, like me, want to build a better Northampton.

Happy October, everyone. Keep those haunted, ghostly and entertaining Halloween decorations coming!