Fall is here, and it’s time to mark your calendar for community festivals, hockey games and other exciting events happening in Shelby County this month.

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1. Bark in the Park, Oct. 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Veterans Park in Alabaster.
If ever there were a pup-friendly event, this is it! The 12th annual Bark in the Park benefiting Shelby Humane Society is free and open to all local families and their furry friends (just be sure to bring a leash). Pets available for adoption will be present. You can also enjoy a vendor row, costume contest, trick contest, kids’ activities, wiener dog races and food and treats for humans … and dogs.

2. Mt Laurel Fall Festival, Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mt Laurel Town Square.
Celebrate the best of fall in the beautiful town of Mt Laurel at its 18th annual fall festival. Shop arts and crafts vendors and farmers; watch live music on the Bryson Square Stage; and savor delicious eats at Mt Laurel restaurants and Birmingham food trucks. The whole family is invited to spend the afternoon strolling the idyllic streets of this close-knit community.

3. Birmingham Bulls Hockey Opening Night, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m., Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena.
Competition on the ice is about to heat up! The Birmingham Bulls will open their 2018-2019 season with a game against the Huntsville Havoc. Their next October matchup will be Batman Night on Oct. 26, when they face Evansville Thunderbolts. For all the details and to buy tickets, visit bullshockey.net.

4. Owl-o-Ween, Oct. 27, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Alabama Wildlife Center.
As organizers say, “It’s gonna be a hoot!” Come meet the most common species of owls in Alabama up close, including the world’s largest owl, the Eurasian eagle-owl. Candy, games, a creepy crawly table, owl prowl, crafts, story time, a release of a rehabilitated owl and live bird of prey shows will are the exciting facets of this annual, free event.

5. KHSA Pumpkin Bash, Oct. 28, 5-8 p.m., Indian Springs Village.
Back by popular demand, the Pumpkin Bash is a great time to ring in the fall season, while supporting the worthy cause of King’s Home Shelby Auxiliary. Tickets are available for $50 per person and may be purchased on the website at kingshomeshelbyaux.org, or you can contact President Pam Bradford at pbradford@charter.net.

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WHAT TO DO IN SHELBY COUNTY

Oct. 3
Family Storytime with Mr. Mac
North Shelby Library
10:45 a.m.

Oct. 4
Herbs: From the Ground to the Medicine Cabinet
North Shelby Library
6 p.m.

Oct. 4
Mt Laurel Book Club
Mt Laurel Library
7 p.m.

Oct. 5
Mt Laurel Toddler Tales
Mt Laurel Library
10 a.m.

Oct. 5
Mt Laurel Storytime
Mt Laurel Library
11 a.m.

Oct. 5+6
Night Watch
South City Theatre
7:30 p.m.

Oct. 5
Poker Night
North Shelby Library
6 p.m.

Oct. 6
Fundamentals of Archery for Beginners
Oak Mountain State Park
9 a.m.+11 a.m.

Oct. 6
Lego Play
North Shelby Library
10 a.m.

Oct. 6+7
The Patch at Helena Hollow
10 a.m.

Oct. 7
New Volunteer Orientation
Alabama Wildlife Center
2 p.m.

Oct. 7
Night Watch
South City Theatre
2 p.m.

Oct. 8
Mt Laurel Medicare
Mt Laurel Library
12 p.m.

Oct. 9
Manga Art Class
Pelham Public Library
6 p.m.

Oct. 10
Family Storytime with Mr. Mac
North Shelby Library
10:45 a.m.

Oct. 11
Mt Laurel Adult Coloring
Mt Laurel Library
6 p.m.

Oct. 11+13
Night Watch
South City Theatre
7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12
Cash Back
Shelby County Arts Council
7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12
STOMP Muni Fest 2018
Oak Mountain State Park
5 p.m.

Oct. 13
Shelby Iron Works Festival
Shelby Ironworks Park
9 a.m.

Oct. 13
Friends of Mt Laurel Library Book Sale
Mt Laurel Library
10 a.m.

Oct. 13
Harvest Festival
Oak Mountain State Park
9 a.m.

Oct. 13
Mt Laurel Fall Festival Craft
Mt Laurel Library
10 a.m.

Oct. 15
Middle Grade Book Club
Chelsea Public Library
5 p.m.

Oct. 15
Mt Laurel Picture Book Club
Mt Laurel Library
10:30 a.m.

Oct. 15
Mt Laurel Tweens: Learn to Knit
Mt Laurel Library
4:30 p.m.

Oct. 15
Mt Laurel Knitting Club
Mt Laurel Library
6 p.m.

Oct. 16
Japanese Maples: The Aristocrat of Tree
North Shelby Library
10:30 a.m.

Oct. 17
Family Storytime with Mr. Mac
North Shelby Library
10:45 a.m.

Oct. 17
Teen Homeschool Art Club
North Shelby Library
2:30 p.m.

Oct. 17
Chess Meet-Up
North Shelby Library
4 p.m.

Oct. 18
NSL Book Club
North Shelby Library
10:30 a.m.

Oct. 18
Mt Laurel Haunted Ghost Stories
Mt Laurel Library
6 p.m.

Oct. 19
Mt Laurel Toddler Tales
Mt Laurel Library
10 a.m.

Oct. 21
Barktoberfest
Helena Amphitheater
12 p.m.

Oct. 24
Family Storytime with Mr. Mac
North Shelby Library
10:45 a.m.

Oct. 27
Teen Volunteer Day
North Shelby Library
10 a.m.

Oct. 27
Lego Club
Mt Laurel Library
11 a.m.

Oct. 28
OLV Knights of Columbus Charity Golf Tournament
Oak Mountain State Park
8 a.m.

Oct. 31
Mt Laurel Trick or Treat
Mt Laurel Library
10 a.m.

Oct. 31
Family Storytime with Mr. Mac
North Shelby Library
10:45 a.m.

Oct. 31
Teen Tech: Oculus Rift
North Shelby Library
3:30 p.m.

AROUND TOWN

Oct. 2
Sparks in the Park – SPHS Band Festival
Spain Park High School
5 p.m.

Oct. 4
The Onlys
Hoover Public Library
7 p.m.

Oct. 4-6
Greek Food Festival
Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Oct. 4-7
Antiques at the Gardens
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Oct. 4-7
Southern Women’s Show
BJCC

Oct. 5-7
14th Annual Barber Vintage Festival
Barber Motorsports Park

Oct. 6
Bluff Park Art Show
Bluff Park Community Center
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oct. 6-8
Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival
Barber Motorsports Festival

Oct. 8
Cave of Forgotten Dreams Documentary Screening
Hoover Public Library
2 p.m.+6:30 p.m.

Oct. 13
Susan G. Komen North Central Alabama Race for the Cure
Regions Field

Oct. 14
Breakin’ Bread
Sloss Furnaces

Oct. 14
Student Art Reception
Hoover Public Library
3 p.m.

Oct. 17-28
Shop Save Share
Benefitting Junior League of Birmingham Community Projects

Oct. 19
Birmingham New Music Festival
Hoover Public Library
8 p.m.

Oct. 19-21
Alabama Ballet Presents
La Sylphide
BJCC Concert Hall

Oct. 20
Hoover High School Band Festival
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium
All Day

Oct. 20-21
Fall Plant Sale
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday noon – 4 p.m.

Oct. 25
Hoover Hayride & Family Night
Veterans Park
5 p.m.

Oct. 26-28
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Virginia Samford Theatre

Oct. 27
77th Annual McDonald’s Magic City Classic
Legion Field