In many communities, trick-or-treating is the climax to weeks of events devoted to things that go bump in the night. Here are some of the activities designed to put you in the frighteningly right frame of mind to haunt the neighborhood.

The Woodlands Foundation will host its annual haunted trail from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The "not-too-scary" path is accessible to those who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, crutches or braces, and the family atmosphere means children of all ages can enjoy the festivities at the 32-acre campus at 134 Shenot Road. Activities include wagon rides and refreshments. There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted.

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will continue its scarecrow-making craft through Oct. 31. Visitors may build a scarecrpw from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Audubon Nature Store at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Road. The cost to make a scarecrow is $5. Call 412-963-6100 or visit aswp.org for information.

The Allegheny County Parks Department will host a haunted hat tea and tour in the Great Hall of the mansion in Indiana Township at 1 p.m. Saturday. Participants will tour the mansion, and tea, scones and other treats in English High Tea style will be served with ghost stories. Those attending are urged to wear creative Halloween hats. A prize will be awarded for the most unusual hat. Tickets are $30; advance reservations are required. For information or reservations, call 412-767-9200.

North Suburban Chamber of Commerce will hold a community Halloween parade at 11 a.m. Oct. 31 at Avalon Elementary School.

Cash prizes will be awarded to preschoolers through sixth-graders and for a group or float category. Floats can consist of wagons, trucks or flatbeds. Prizes will be $100 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third.

Parade registration forms are available at Avalon Community Pharmacy, Fidelity Bank, Fred Dietz Floral and West View Savings Bank or at Avalon Elementary for an hour before the parade begins. The parade is open to residents of Avalon, Bellevue, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth, Kilbuck and Ohio Township.

A Freaky 5K run/walk will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 31. Participants are encouraged to dress in costume. Check-in is at 9 a.m. at North Park Boat House. Afterward, a Halloween party will be held at the Rose Barn, with free food and entertainment, children's activities for a small fee and a costume competition. Those who register for the race will receive free shirts. Awards will be given to top finishers. The event is presented by the Allegheny County Department of Special Events, Dick's Sporting Goods and Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon Inc. Race registration is $15 per person, family rates are offered. For information or to register, go to www.pittsburghmarathon.com.

Northern Tier Library Richland Center, 4015 Dickey Road, will hold a family Halloween party with songs, dancing, stories, a parade and spooky cookies at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday. Registration is required; call 724-449-2665.

From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, the library will host the Association for Research and Enlightenment to revisit the Salem witch trials. The group will explore the climate of the times and the atmosphere of fear engendered by the hunts through the works of psychic Edgar Cayce. Registration is requested; call 724-449-2665.

Wexford Volunteer Fire Company will hold a parade at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30, rain or shine. Participants should line up at 6 p.m. at Wexford Tire Service at Manor and Church roads. Afterward, a costume contest will be held at Salem United Methodist Church on Manor Road. Everyone will receive a treat bag.

The borough Halloween parade will begin at 7 p.m. Monday. Participants should assemble at 6:30 p.m. at Highland Avenue. Registration will be accepted from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the borough building, 441 Perry Highway. Participants must be registered to be judged for prizes or to receive a goodie bag. For more information, go to www.westviewborough.com.

The Zelienople Lions Club will hold its Halloween parade at 2 p.m. Oct. 31. Awards will be given for groups, floats and individuals. Registration begins at 1 p.m. in the parking lot of NexTier Bank next to Zelienople Library. For information, call Betty at 724-452-9331.

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