STEUBENVILLE — The countdown to Halloween is underway, and communities throughout the Ohio Valley are preparing for a variety of frightfully fun activities. While most municipalities have scheduled traditional trick-or-treating for Saturday, Oct. 31, families won't have to wait until Halloween night to get into the spirit. Churches, schools, businesses, parks and community organizations are hosting trunk-or-treats, fall festivals, costume parties, Halloween movie nights and other seasonal celebrations throughout October. The Ohio Valley Current has compiled the following guide to confirmed trick-or-treat hours and announced Halloween activities in Jefferson and Harrison counties in Ohio and Brooke and Hancock counties in West Virginia. 2026 COMMUNITY TRICK-OR-TREAT TIMES The following trick-or-treat hours have been confirmed for Saturday, Oct. 31. JEFFERSON COUNTY Adena — 6-7:30 p.m. Amsterdam — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Bergholz — 5-7 p.m. Bloomingdale — 5-7 p.m. Dillonvale — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Empire — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hammondsville — 5-7 p.m. Irondale — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Knox Township — 5-7 p.m. Mingo Junction — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mount Pleasant — 5-7 p.m. New Alexandria — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Rayland — 6-7:30 p.m. Smithfield — 5-7 p.m. Steubenville — 5-7 p.m. Summitville — 5-7 p.m. Tiltonsville — 6-7:30 p.m. Toronto — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wells Township — 5-7 p.m. Wintersville — 5-7 p.m. Yorkville — 6-7:30 p.m. HARRISON COUNTY Cadiz — 4-6 p.m. BROOKE COUNTY Beech Bottom — 5-7 p.m. Bethany — 5-7 p.m. Follansbee — 5-7 p.m. Wellsburg — 5-7 p.m. Unincorporated Brooke County — 5-7 p.m. HANCOCK COUNTY Chester — 5:30-7 p.m. New Cumberland — 6-7:30 p.m. Weirton — 5-7 p.m. TRUNK-OR-TREATS, FALL FESTIVALS AND HALLOWEEN EVENTS THURSDAY, OCT. 22 Follansbee Chamber Trunk-or-Treat — The Follansbee Chamber of Commerce will host a trunk-or-treat from 6-8 p.m. in the Community House parking lot, 1455 Park Lane. Activities will include decorated trunks, treats and other family attractions. FRIDAY, OCT. 23 Kings Creek Union Chapel Trunk-or-Treat — Kings Creek Union Chapel, 2883 Kings Creek Road, Weirton, will host a trunk-or-treat from 6-7:30 p.m. The event will feature candy, face painting and activities for children younger than 12. SATURDAY, OCT. 24 Beatty Park Halloween Event — Beatty Park in Steubenville will host Halloween activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Inclusive Fall Festival — Special Connections will host a free fall festival from 1-3 p.m. at 256 John Scott Highway, Steubenville. Designed with individuals with disabilities in mind, the event welcomes people of all ages and abilities. Activities include accessible games, a maze adventure, seasonal treats, pumpkin painting, baby goats, hair tinsel and community resources. Steubenville Halloween Celebration — The city of Steubenville will host Halloween festivities from 3-5 p.m. outside the City Building, 115 S. Third St. Activities include mystery boxes, crafts, free candy and other family attractions. Phat Matty's will provide free hot dogs, and Chaisson's Cajun also is scheduled to participate. Costumes are encouraged. Tomlinson Run State Park Trunk-or-Treat — The Tomlinson Run State Park Foundation and Everyday Church will host a trunk-or-treat from 1-3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the three best-decorated vehicles. Those interested in participating may contact Heather Kearns at 304-374-5436. Green Palms Health and Rehab Trunk-or-Treat — Green Palms Health and Rehab, 135 Reichart Ave., Wintersville, will host a trunk-or-treat from 4-7 p.m. The event will feature decorated vehicles, a DJ and food trucks. Jeepers Creepers Trunk-or-Trea t — The Swarms Club of the Upper Ohio Valley will host a Jeep-themed trunk-or-treat from 4-6 p.m. at Kragel's Pass, 4005 state Route 152, Richmond. Prizes will be awarded in several decorated Jeep categories. Local businesses are encouraged to participate. Information: 740-219-2889. Tink's Party Place Kids Halloween Dance Party — Tink's Party Place, 4227 Mall Drive, Steubenville, will host a children's Halloween dance party beginning at 6 p.m. Activities include dancing, games, crafts and treats. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the door. Hocus Pocus at the Park — A Halloween movie night will be held from 6-9 p.m. at Mark at the Park in Harrison County. The movie begins at 7 p.m. Admission is a monetary donation or a donation of craft or cleaning supplies for the Harrison County Senior Center. Games and snacks will be available by donation. Attendees should bring chairs and blankets. SUNDAY, OCT. 25 Brooke Hills Park Trick-or-Treat Trail — Brooke Hills Park, 140 Gist Lane, Wellsburg, will host its trick-or-treat trail beginning at 2 p.m. Children in fourth grade and younger can visit candy stations and compete for a costume prize. Admission is $5 per child, and space is limited. Information: 304-737-1236. Faith Community Free Fall Festival — Faith Community will host a free fall festival beginning at 1 p.m. Activities include pumpkins, treats, games, an inflatable slide and a petting zoo. Kolmont Community Church Trunk-or-Treat — Kolmont Community Church, 48 Finley Road, Mingo Junction, will host a trunk-or-treat beginning at 5 p.m. Activities include decorated vehicles, candy, soup and cider. A church service will follow at 7 p.m. Toronto Trunk-or-Trea t — A community trunk-or-treat will be held from 3-5 p.m. in Toronto. MONDAY, OCT. 26 7 Ranges Entertainment Trunk-or-Treat — 7 Ranges Entertainment, 100 Mall Drive, Suite 5, Steubenville, will host its third annual trunk-or-treat from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event will feature decorated vehicles, candy and activities for children. TUESDAY, OCT. 27 Gables Care Center Trick-or-Treat — Gables Care Center will host trick-or-treating from 5-7 p.m. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28 Wintersville Methodist Church Trunk-or-Treat — Wintersville Methodist Church will host a trunk-or-treat from 6:30-7:30 p.m. inside the Center for Hope, 702 Main St., Wintersville. THURSDAY, OCT. 29 Carriage Inn of Steubenville Trunk-or-Treat — Carriage Inn of Steubenville will host a trunk-or-treat from 5-7 p.m. The event will feature treats, Halloween activities and free hot dogs and water. Kroger Trunk-or-Treat Bash — Kroger, 264 S. Hollywood Blvd., Steubenville, will host its second annual trunk-or-treat bash from 6-8 p.m. Activities include decorated trunks, candy and family fun. Costumes are encouraged. FRIDAY, OCT. 30 Sienna Woods Halloween Party and Trick-or-Tre at — Sienna Woods will host a Halloween celebration from 3-5 p.m. The party begins at 3 p.m. with food, games and a costume contest. Community trick-or-treating begins at 4 p.m. Reservations for the party are required by Oct. 20. Information: 740-264-5245. SATURDAY, OCT. 31 Weirton Moose Riders Trunk-or-Treat — Moose Riders Lodge No. 688 will host a trunk-or-treat from 5-7 p.m. at the Weirton Moose Lodge, 3967 Main St. HALLOWEEN SAFETY With children expected to visit neighborhoods throughout the region, parents and motorists are encouraged to keep safety in mind. Children should wear costumes that fit properly and allow them to see clearly. Reflective tape, flashlights and glow sticks can help make trick-or-treaters more visible after dark. Younger children should be accompanied by an adult, and families should use sidewalks and marked crosswalks whenever possible. Motorists are urged to reduce their speed in residential neighborhoods and remain alert for children crossing streets or walking near parked vehicles. Parents also should examine candy and other treats before allowing children to eat them. HELP KEEP OUR HALLOWEEN GUIDE CURRENT The Ohio Valley Current will update its Halloween calendar as additional events and trick-or-treat schedules are announced. Municipalities, churches, schools, businesses and community organizations in Jefferson, Harrison, Brooke and Hancock counties are encouraged to submit event information, including dates, times, locations and contact information. Families should check with event organizers before attending, as schedules and activities may change.

STEUBENVILLE — For one October evening, downtown Steubenville will trade modern dance moves for English country dances as the city's ballroom scene takes a step back into the world of Jane Austen. The second annual Sense and Sensibility Ball is scheduled for Saturday from 7-10 p.m. in the third-floor ballroom of the Renaissance Building, above Leonardo's Coffeehouse on North Fourth Street. Organized through Bookmarx Bookstore, the event celebrates the October 1811 publication of Austen's first novel, Sense and Sensibility, with an evening of dancing, live string music and refreshments inspired by the social gatherings of the Regency era. And guests won't need to know a thing about English country dancing to participate. Experienced callers will guide dancers through traditional and adapted dances, while an optional instructional session beginning at 6 p.m. will give newcomers a chance to learn the steps before the ball begins. An additional practice session is planned for Friday. The event offers a glimpse of the social traditions that figure prominently in Austen's novels, where dances often served as the setting for introductions, courtship, misunderstandings and changing relationships. Published in 1811, Sense and Sensibility follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate family circumstances, romantic disappointments and the expectations of English society. More than two centuries later, Austen's stories continue to inspire readers, films, television adaptations and events that recreate elements of the world she depicted. In Steubenville, the ball is part of a developing series of cultural gatherings that organizers hope will bring people together through traditional dance, literature and live music. John Byron Kuhner, who has helped develop the local ball series, described the events in a September online essay as an opportunity for participants to spend time together away from their phones while supporting musicians and creating additional cultural experiences in the city. The Sense and Sensibility Ball follows a similar event held in 2025, when the celebration coincided with the 250th anniversary of Austen's birth. This year's ball also comes as organizers work toward developing the Steubenville Athenaeum, a planned arts center in the former Masonic Temple building downtown. Kuhner has written about the importance of creating opportunities for young people and families to experience music, dance and other cultural activities in person. The ball is open to families and dancers of all experience levels. Regency-inspired attire is encouraged, although period costumes are not required. Organizers ask guests to dress neatly, with formal attire encouraged. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 8-18. Children younger than 8 may attend free. A $50 patron ticket includes an additional contribution to support the Steubenville Athenaeum and similar cultural events. Tickets are available through the event’s online ticketing page here: simpletix.com/e/the-2026-sense-sensibility-ball-tickets-292546

STEUBENVILLE — A tank of gas, a free day and a good pair of walking shoes may be all Ohio Valley residents need to find some of autumn’s best scenery. From waterfalls tucked into wooded gorges to mountain overlooks blanketed in fall color, 10 destinations in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania offer opportunities to enjoy the season within about three hours of home. For local residents, a day trip can provide a welcome break without the expense of an overnight stay. Some destinations are close enough for a spontaneous afternoon outing, while others are better suited for a full day of hiking, sightseeing and exploring. Driving times are approximate from the Steubenville-Weirton area and vary depending on the starting point, route and destination within each park. 1. Oglebay Park — Wheeling, West Virginia Driving distance: Under 1 hour. Located just outside Wheeling, Oglebay Park offers wooded trails, gardens and scenic overlooks that make it an easy choice for a fall outing close to home. Visitors can enjoy the changing leaves while exploring the grounds or taking a relaxing drive through the park. Website: oglebay.com 2. Coopers Rock State Forest — Near Morgantown, West Virginia Driving distance: Under 2 hours. Coopers Rock State Forest is known for its expansive overlook of the Cheat River Gorge, where wooded hillsides put on a colorful display each autumn. Hiking trails wind through the forest, offering opportunities to take in the scenery at a slower pace. Website: wvstateparks.com 3. Blackwater Falls State Park — Davis, West Virginia Driving distance: Under 3 hours. Blackwater Falls State Park combines mountain scenery, forest trails and one of West Virginia’s best-known waterfalls. The surrounding forest takes on added color in autumn, although its higher elevation can mean foliage changes earlier than in the Ohio Valley. Website: wvstateparks.com 4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park — Northeast Ohio Driving distance: Under 3 hours. Between Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers forested trails, waterfalls, scenic overlooks and historic sites. Visitors can hike, bike or explore sections of the park by car while taking in the fall colors. Website: nps.gov/cuva 5. Mill Creek Park — Youngstown, Ohio Driving distance: Under 2 hours. Mill Creek Park offers a nearby option for residents looking for autumn scenery without committing to a long drive. The expansive park features wooded trails, lakes, gardens and picturesque bridges, giving visitors plenty of places to enjoy the changing leaves. Website: millcreekmetroparks.org 6. Hocking Hills State Park — Logan, Ohio Driving distance: Under 3 hours. Hocking Hills is known for its sandstone cliffs, caves, waterfalls and forested hiking trails. Autumn color adds to the scenery around popular destinations such as Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave. Visitors should allow time for hiking and check trail conditions before leaving home. Website: hockinghillsstatepark.com 7. Ohiopyle State Park — Pennsylvania Driving distance: Under 3 hours. Located in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, Ohiopyle State Park features waterfalls, river scenery and wooded trails that become especially colorful in fall. The Youghiogheny River runs through the area, adding another scenic element to the landscape. Website: pa.gov — Ohiopyle State Park 8. Fallingwater — Mill Run, Pennsylvania Driving distance: Under 3 hours. Fallingwater, the landmark house designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is set above a waterfall in a wooded landscape. The surrounding forest makes the property an appealing autumn destination, but tours require advance planning and reservations are recommended. Website: fallingwater.org 9. McConnells Mill State Park — Portersville, Pennsylvania Driving distance: Under 2 hours. McConnells Mill State Park offers a rugged setting with a historic gristmill, a covered bridge, rocky gorge scenery and hiking trails. The Slippery Rock Creek gorge is particularly striking when the surrounding trees begin to change color. Website: pa.gov — McConnells Mill State Park 10. Presque Isle State Park — Erie, Pennsylvania Driving distance: Under 3 hours. For a different kind of fall outing, Presque Isle State Park extends into Lake Erie and offers beaches, wetlands, wooded areas and views across the water. Visitors can explore the peninsula by car, bike or on foot while enjoying the cooler weather and seasonal scenery. Website: pa.gov — Presque Isle State Park Fall foliage timing varies with weather and elevation, so check recent reports and park updates before leaving. Confirm operating hours, trail conditions and any tour reservations, particularly late in the season.  

WELLSBURG — Long before Halloween became a holiday of costumes, candy and carved pumpkins, stories of witches and mysterious happenings were passed from one generation to the next. Some of those stories have connections much closer to home than the familiar tales of Salem, Massachusetts. Brooke County Public Library will explore the area's history of witchcraft and local folklore during a presentation scheduled for 11 a.m. Oct. 29, just two days before Halloween. Michael Traubert, who led a similar presentation at the library last October, will return to discuss the legends, beliefs and stories that have become part of Brooke County's past. Traubert has a personal connection to the subject. He is a descendant of Daniel Higgins Sr., who, according to local legend, was the victim of a witch's spell. During his October 2025 appearance, Traubert explored the county's witchcraft history, bringing a family connection to a subject often associated with distant places and centuries-old folklore. The story of Higgins offers an example of how accounts of supposed supernatural happenings can become intertwined with family histories and passed down through generations. For generations, stories involving unexplained events, unusual illnesses and supposed supernatural influences circulated throughout American communities. Such accounts often reflected the fears, religious beliefs and limited scientific understanding of earlier times. Today, those stories provide a window into the ways people understood events they could not readily explain. In Brooke County, local folklore also offers an opportunity to examine how stories change as they are passed through families and communities, sometimes becoming part of the historical identity of a place. The upcoming presentation provides a seasonal opportunity for residents interested in local history, genealogy and the supernatural traditions associated with Halloween. While the subject may evoke images of broomsticks, black cats and haunted houses, the history behind witchcraft beliefs is also a story about the people and communities that preserved them. Traubert's return offers another opportunity to explore those connections and the place such tales hold in Brooke County's history. The program, “History of Witchcraft in Brooke County,” will be held at Brooke County Public Library, 945 Main St. in Wellsburg. Additional information is available by calling 304-737-1551 or visiting www.brookecountylibs.org.

BLOOMINGDALE — Classic cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles will fill the parking lot at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School during the school’s second annual car show Saturday, Hosted by the JVS auto service technology program, the show will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include food, music, raffles and door prizes. Vehicle registration is $10, while admission is free for spectators. Auto service technology instructor Ron Reasoner said the event gives car enthusiasts an opportunity to show off their vehicles while helping promote the automotive industry and supporting students in the program. “This will be our second annual car show. We’re still finalizing details but plan to have music, door prizes, food, and raffles. Last year we gave baskets, gift cards, automotive items, and car care products,” Reasoner said. “We will give dash plaques to the first 25 vehicles.” Organizers are seeking a variety of entries, including classic and antique cars, Jeeps, trucks and motorcycles. “We’ve been advertising on [the school’s] Facebook page and put up flyers in local businesses. We are targeting auto shops because that’s where auto enthusiasts generally are,” Reasoner said. “Last year we had 44 cars and we hope we can double it this year. We’re using it to promote the industry and it allows car enthusiasts to see what’s out there.” Vendors also may sell items during the show. The school’s animal science program plans to promote its feline foster care project in hopes of finding homes for cats in its care. A bounce house for children also may be provided by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds will benefit the auto service technology program and its 17 juniors and seniors, helping fund educational field trips. Possible destinations include the Ford Rouge Factory in the Detroit area or the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Students used proceeds from last year’s show to attend the World of Wheels Autorama in Pittsburgh. Reasoner said sponsorships and donations also are being accepted. Checks may be made payable to Jefferson County JVS, in care of the auto service technology program, and mailed to 1509 County Highway 22A, Bloomingdale, OH 43910. For more information, contact Reasoner at 740-264-5545, Ext. 505, or ron.reasoner@jeffjvs.org.