Even though October is half over, there still are many fall festivities planned in Cobb. Among them are:

  • Book Character Pumpkin Display and Contest. Until 9 a.m. Oct. 22, bring your pumpkin - decorated only on the outside (without carving) to look like your favorite book character - to the Children’s Department, Hattie Gaines Wilson Youth Services Department of Switzer Library, 266 Roswell St. NE, Marietta. Pumpkins will be displayed throughout the library until 9 a.m. Oct. 22 when they will be judged by local dignitaries. Then pick them up to enjoy in your home. Call 770-528-2331 if you have any questions.
  • Mourning in the 1850s Flashlight Tours. 5-8 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29. $10/person. William Root House, 80 N. Marietta Parkway NW, Marietta. Hannah Root’s father, Leonard Simpson, who lived with the family, passed away in October 1856. During October, the Root House rooms will be decorated in Victorian style as they would have been following her father’s death. Bring your flashlights for the Friday evening self-guided flashlight tours. Tickets: RootHouseMuseum.com/mourning
  • Powder Springs Spooktacular 10K/5K and Trunk or Treat. 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 23. In and around Thurman Springs Park, 4485 Pineview Drive, downtown Powder Springs and on the Lucille and Silver Comet Trails. Presenters are Vision Rehabilitation Services and the Powder Springs Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission. CityOfPowderSprings.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=2000
  • Acworth Halloween JamBOOree. 3-7 p.m. Oct. 23. Large field in front of the playground, Logan Farm Park, 4405 Cherokee St., Acworth. There will be games, rides, food, music and a children’s costume contest. 770-917-1234, bit.ly/3aQwFDX
  • Cobb County PARKS Fall Festival of Fun: Drive-Thru. 4-8 p.m. Oct. 23. Jim R. Miller Park & Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. Wear your costumes, and stay in your vehicles. Safe Kids Cobb County, iHeartMedia Atlanta, Kennesaw Pediatrics and Cobb EMC are among the presenters of this event. View cool vehicles in the Fun Auto Zone. Then wind through the staging areas to see fun characters (such as princesses, dinosaurs and dueling pirates). Every child will receive a goodie bag filled with treats at the very end from candy fairies. bit.ly/3n8SQtM
  • Kennesaw “Scarecrows on Main.” Through Oct. 24, vote for your favorite scarecrow at facebook.com/CityOfKennesaw. They also may be viewed in person on Main Street. The top three scarecrows will be awarded a “People’s Choice” award. Then the scarecrow with the most votes will receive bragging rights and a $100 prize. The second place will receive a $50 prize and the third place a $25 prize.
  • Fall Festival. 5-7 p.m. Oct. 30. The Avenue West Cobb, 3625 Dallas Highway, Suite 470, Marietta. 678-594-6738