October will expire with a busy weekend, complete with CMU Homecoming, a fall festival in the park, and a haunted hayride, concluding with Halloween.

The weekend kicks off with high school district football action on Friday night. Fayette and Harrisburg are both in Class 1 District 5. Post-season brackets have not yet been released.

CMU Homecoming officially begins on Friday with a lecture by Dr. C. Fred Bergsten at noon, followed by honors presentations, a pep rally, and a home men’s basketball game. The event, which was held virtually a year ago, makes a big comeback this year. Things kick into high gear on Saturday, October 31, with the annual Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m. in downtown Fayette. CMU football hosts rival Missouri Valley College for a 2 p.m. kickoff. Homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime of the game.

Main Street on the square will be closed off on Saturday afternoon for Homecoming festivities. Downtown bars and restaurants traditionally hold special events. Miknan’s Main Street Pub will have a special expanded section with live music by artists from Better Man Records starting at 4 p.m.

Sunday is Halloween. Kids and adults alike will welcome back the annual Golden Study Club Halloween parade at 3 p.m. on the square, followed by an unabridged Trunk or Treat from 5 to 7 p.m. on Main Street.

But you don’t have to wait until Sunday to start celebrating the spooky holiday. A Haunted Hayride will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 30 at Paige Liberty Park. Youngsters can enjoy a weenie roast, toast s’mores, and take home candy. Organizer Serena Barnette Smith said the event is being put on to show that Paige Liberty Park is a gathering place for the community to bring unity and come together.

Further details regarding Halloween and CMU Homecoming will be announced in next week’s Advertiser.