Tarentum’s recreation board revamped the borough’s annual “Boo Fest” last year, and it turned out to be a delight for the hundreds who turned out for the event at Riverview Memorial Park.

Instead of kids trick-or-treating from station to station in the park, or in the borough building in years when the weather was bad, it was turned into more of a festival — and it worked.

“It was a very large turnout,” Councilwoman Carrie Fox said. “We were very surprised.”

The board is continuing to make adjustments to the festival, which is being held again this year on Saturday, Oct. 12.

“We decided to stick with everything that worked from last year and everything that seemed to be a big win from last year,” Fox said.

Returning will be the hay rides and hay maze, a costume contest, pumpkin art, games and magic show.

There won’t be a parade this year, Fox said.

“It didn’t seem to be a huge thing for us,” she said. “We decided not to do the parade.”

The storyteller is also not returning.

The festival is open to anyone, whether or not they live in Tarentum.

The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. The costume contest and the magic show will both start at 4 p.m. at the Carl J. Magnetta Jr. Memorial Amphitheater in the park.

Everything will be free, except for food that will be available for sale.

Children will get a free hot dog and drink courtesy of the recreation board, Fox said.

Borough businesses were invited to participate by doing “trunk or treat” or setting up a table.

“We just want people to come out and have a good time,” Fox said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)