The temperatures are finally dropping, the air is crisper and the smell of pumpkin spice is everywhere. That means fall festivals and Halloween parties will fill the calendar.

The county’s biggest, oldest and most esteemed festival will get the season underway on Oct. 21-22. The 42nd annual Orange Park Fall Festival will return to Town Hall Park at 2042 Park Ave.

The two-day event will run both days between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., including one of the largest arts, crafts, entertainment, children’s activities and food celebrations in Northeast Florida.

The first festival was in 1982, and it attracted 12 vendors and two guitar players. This year’s event already has more than 200, including 25 food trucks and a farmer’s market, eight activities for children and representation by 29 nonprofit groups and 15 businesses.

With crowds expecting to approach 10,000, organizers are urging patrons to park at Moosehaven. Parking and a shuttle ride to the park are free. Attendees are also warned not to park at Winn-Dixie and CVS across the street, and the city will have a limited number of handicapped spots at the police station adjacent to the park.

Admission to the event is also free.

There will be music and dance acts, including LeeAnn Purvis, who recorded the song “Cover Girl” in Green Cove Springs. The song tells the gripping story of a woman who hides her domestic battery wounds with makeup and denial by blowing his cover. Purvis will be on the Main Stage for the opening ceremonies with Mayor Randy Anderson and the Ridgeview High Navy JROTC team at 10 a.m. on Saturday, then for her show two hours later.

Counting the Community Stage, there are 36 acts booked.

With thousands expected, the Town asks visitors to leave their dogs at home.

Another major event that usually sells out and attracts thousands is the Amazing Grace Fall Festival at 4251 State Road 21, just south of State Road 16.

The family-oriented festival includes pumpkins, a five-acre crop maze, duck races, a playground, farm animals, corn hole, corn cribs, jump pads, photo opportunities, treats and attractions.

The times are Fridays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The venue also will be open on Monday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The farm is owned and operated by Justin and Kelly Mosley. They are known for carving a special message in their maze. The maze honored former Clay High swimmer Caeleb Dressel two years ago, who won seven Olympic gold medals.

This year, the Mosleys honored the memory of Levi Shepherd, a boy with special needs who died last year following a lengthy illness. A portion of the fall farm proceeds will be donated to the “Dreams Come True“ organization.

Since most sessions are sold out, guests should purchase tickets in advance at agcropmaze.com/events.

Other festivals and Halloween-theme events include:

Friday, Oct. 13

• The Spooky Nature Trail at Camp Chowenwaw will be open through Oct. 31 at 1517 Ball Road in Green Cove Springs from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Visitors can venture into a spooky nature trail to encounter live animals in their mysterious habitats. Bug spray, closed-toed shoes and water are suggested. The event is free.

Saturday, Oct. 14

• The Orange Park Mall will entertain its Kidz Club from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The event celebrates fall and pumpkins. The first 50 children can paint real pumpkins donated by Conners A-Maizeing Acres.

• The Rotary Club of Northeast Florida will host its Outdoor Adventure Vendor Show from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Clay County Shrine Club, 2471 Russell Road in Green Cove Springs. Call Sandra at (904) 923-9884 or Susan at (904) 631-2156 to reserve a vendor space.

• A Holiday Craft Fair will be hosted from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 21 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at 1614 Blanding Blvd. in Middleburg. Proceeds will benefit a seminary student. For more information, call (904) 282-8876.

Saturday, Oct. 21

• Just Smash That Rage Rooms will open its doors for the Let’s Have a Smashing Trunk or Treat from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at 1101 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park. Mini games, bounce house, food, prizes and raffle will be offered, as well as vehicles with Halloween decorations.

• Croptoberfest will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at The Senior Center at 604 Walnut St. in Green Cove Springs. Fee is $45 with the exclusive kit and $35 without kit. Fees include lunch, prizes and space to crop.

Thursday, Oct. 26

• The Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s Trunk or Treat will be at the Walmart, 1580 Branan Field Road in Middleburg, at 5 p.m. The free event for the entire family includes first responders and their vehicles and plenty of candy.

Friday, Oct. 27

• College Drive Fall Extravaganza will be at the Asbury United Methodist Church of Orange Park, 16 College Dr., from 6-8 p.m. The event includes trunk and treat, a pumpkin patch and a family-friendly costume competition – all in conjunction with the monthly Food Truck Friday. For vendor information, contact CDIFoodTruckNight@gmail.com.

• Dress up your furry friend for the Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest at Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming, 1960 East West Pkwy. on Fleming Island. The event starts at 9 a.m. Costumed pets will be photographed and entered in a raffle for free treats for a year.

• Code Ninjas will celebrate Halloween in Minecraft – Parents Night Out from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at 1811 Golden Eagle Way on Fleming Island. Families can work on a spooky maze game in Minecraft with a scary movie playing in the background. There will be a costume contest with the ninjas.

Saturday, Oct. 28

• Boo on the Boulevard in Keystone Heights from 5-9 p.m. The event includes trick-or-treating along Lawrence Boulevard, food trucks, face painting, games and the movie Disney/Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” at Keystone Beach at 7:30 p.m.

• Visitors are invited to dress up for the Boo at the Roo, Hoggy Walloween Event on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Rootervilee Animal Sanctuary, 1209 County Road 315 in Melrose. The cost is $15 a person or $45 for a family. The event allows families to interact with more than 100 animals. The 20-acre farm will have Halloween decorations. The goal of the event is to promote an anti-bullying campaign. For tickets, visit rooterville.org.

• Haunted at the Hilltop Wine Social will be at The Hilltop Restaurant from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at 2030 Wells Road in Orange Park. Even cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door. it includes sips, snacks and the scariest prize for the most creative costume.

• Reparation Earth will present its Aqtoberfest at 11 a.m. at 5968 County Road 209 South in Green Cove Springs. The event includes music, farm tours at noon and 2 p.m. and lunch. For reservations or questions, call (904) 755-1606.

• Ripple Effect Martial Arts will host a Trunk and Treat from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at 1851 Golden Eagle Way on Fleming Island. The event includes candy and a costume party.

• A Halloween Doubles Tournament and Costume Contest will start a 6 p.m. at Park Avenue Billiards at 714 Park Ave. in Orange Park. For registration, visit parkavenuebilliards.com. Contestants must be members of the First Coast American Poolplayers Association.

• Star Seed Holistic Spa invites everyone to a morning of Halloween Painting and Mini Facial from 9 a.m.-noon at 767 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park. Tickets cost $50, including an 11-by-14-inch blacklight painting, a 15-minute facial, mimosas and appetizers. To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/treat-yourself-to-a-morning-of-halloween-painting-and-a-mini-facial-tickets.

• Scooters Coffee’s Spooktacular Trunk or Treat will be from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. at 151 Park Ave. in Orange Park. Guests can decorate their vehicles, participate in a ralle and support a fundraiser.

Sunday, Oct. 29

• Fleming Island United Methodist Church will host a Halloween Mystery Dinner from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at 7170 U.S. Highway 17. Wear your costume and enjoy a frightful dinner.

• Candypalooza will start at 9:30 a.m. at Fleming Island United Methodist Church, 7170 U.S. Highway 17 on Fleming Island. The event combines church, costumes and candy.

Tuesday, Oct. 31

• Trick or Treat and Haunted Maze at Moosehaven will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event at 1701 Park Ave. in Orange Park will include food trucks, a happy haunted trail and trick or treats. Admission is free. Volunteers and donations are needed since last year’s spooktacular attracted nearly 4,000. To help, contact Susan Luke at sluke@moosehaven.org.

• The Candy Crawl will be at the Orange Park Mall at 5 p.m. Families can dress up and collect treats as they explore the mall.