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Here's a round-up of What's New and What's Happening in Highland Park, NJ

Mid-Autumn Festival, Saturday, 10/4
Be sure to take a walk downtown this Saturday, October 4 for the Mid-Autumn Festival, a celebration of Asian culture featuring live performances of traditional and contemporary dance, Chinese opera and musical instruments, and martial arts. There will also be hands-on activities demonstrating Chinese painting and crafts and traditional clothing along with a wide assortment of foods to sample and purchase. The event will take place from 12:30 to 4:30 PM in the Farmers Market Parking Lot near 212 Raritan Avenue. Many thanks to our partners at the Highland Park Chinese Association and the Huaxia Edison Chinese School for organizing this special event for our residents and visitors!
 
Plant Propagation Workshop & Houseplants Swap, Sunday, 10/5
Join Sustainable Highland Park and guest speaker Martin Zorde in a hands-on workshop on plant propagation from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at the Zone 6 Teen Center, 600 Benner Street. This workshop will focus on basic methods for cloning plants, plant physiology to help maximize your chances of growing more of the plants you love, and native plants for a healthy garden.  A houseplant swap will follow after the presentation. 
 
Community Meeting – Tract A Redevelopment Project, Thursday, 10/16
The Mayor and Borough Council will hold a Community Meeting regarding the Tract A redevelopment project from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Highland Park Community Center. The meeting will start with a general presentation by representatives from the governing body, professional staff, and Tantum, the selected conditional developer for the area referred to as Tract A in the 2021 Downtown Redevelopment Plan. After the presentation, attendees will be able to visit different information stations to review the plans in more detail, ask questions, and offer input.
 
Townwide Garage Sale, Saturday, 10/18 & Sunday 10/19
The annual Townwide Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19 from 9 am to 6 pm. If you are looking to sign up, click here, or visit the Century 21 JJ Laufer office on Raritan Avenue. There will be a townwide bulk pick-up the week after the annual garage sale weekend on Tuesday, October 21 (Northside, Triangle, Business District) and Thursday, October 23 (Southside); there will be no recycling pick-up that week to allow DPW the time needed to collect the bulk waste.

Garage Bands at the Garage Sale, Saturday, 10/18
In between your hunt for great deals at the Townwide Garage Sale, be sure to grab a snack from one of the vendors and check out the garage bands that will perform at the Welkovits Pavillion at the municipal parking lot on Raritan Avenue (between So. 2^nd and South 3^rd Avenues) at 1:00 pm.

Borough Council Meeting, Tuesday, 10/21
The Mayor and Council hold their regularly scheduled meetings pursuant to the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-8(b). Meetings are held in person at Borough Hall, 221 South 5th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ at 7:00 pm. As a convenience, the Borough provides the public the option to attend meetings remotely through Zoom. The meeting agenda and support materials are posted in Borough Hall and on the Borough website at least 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. 

October Halloween Events, 10/26, 10/29, 10/30 & 10/31
Once again, the Borough is offering a fun assortment of Halloween-themed events and activities for all to enjoy! 

• Costume Parade and Festival (10/26): Join the Department of Community Services on Sunday, October 26 from 1 to 4 pm at the Community Center for their annual Halloween Costume Parade and Festival. For more information, please contact 732-819-0052.
• Trunk or Treat (10/29): The Highland Park Police Department will hold the annual Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, October 29 from 6 to 8 pm at the Community Center. For more information, or to register to decorate your vehicle, contact Officer Fitzgerald at [email protected].
• Halloween Costume Swap, collecting until 10/30
  Sustainable Highland Park presents the Halloween Costume Swap.  If you have a Halloween costume to donate please drop it off at the Bartle School main entrance vestibule, 435 Mansfield Street no later than October 30^th.
• Scarecrow Design Contest: The Arts Commission is looking for people to showcase their creativity by participating in their first-ever Scarecrow Design Contest! All scarecrows will be displayed along Raritan Ave for the whole town to enjoy. Follow the Arts Commission on social media (Instagram: @hp.arts.commission; Facebook: Highland Park Arts Commission) or email them at [email protected] for more details and to get involved. 
• Halloween on the Avenue (10/31): Main Street Highland Park has organized another fun Halloween night on Raritan Avenue. Businesses will offer candy to kids between 2:30 and 5:30 pm

Employment Opportunities
The Borough is hiring a Deputy Court Administrator and Crossing Guards.  Apply on the Borough’s website.
 
Ongoing Programs:
Free Groceries from H.P. Gives a Hoot, Tuesdays 10/7, 10/14, 10/21 & 10/28 and Wednesdays 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22 and 10/29
Highland Park Gives a Hoot offers free groceries to Highland Park families in need of support. Distributions are every Tuesday & Wednesday (except holidays) from 10 to 11 am at the Zone 6 Teen Center, 600 Benner Street.
 
Food Pantry Distribution, Thursdays 10/9 & 10/23 and Saturdays 10/11 & 10/25
The Highland Park Food Pantry distribution takes place at the Highland Park Community Center, 220 South 6^th Avenue on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 9 to 10:45 am and 6 to 7 pm and on the second and fourth Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 am. For more information visit the Borough website or contact Nicole Huff at 732-819-0052.
 
Highland Park Recreation Programs
Highland Park Recreation offers a variety of adult, youth and fall programs. Families that qualify for free and reduced lunch are eligible for a 60% discount on all programs offered by the Borough.
 
Friday Farmers Market
The Highland Park Farmers Market is, bringing fresh, local, homemade products from farmers and vendors across New Jersey. The market is open every Friday through December 12; from 11 to 4 pm in February, March, November, and December; and until 5 pm from April through October. Shop for farm-fresh produce, baked goods, artisanal products, and more while supporting local businesses and enjoying a vibrant community atmosphere.