The harvest season has long been celebrated by agrarian societies, and while we’ve grown into something more complex in this global age, fall remains a season ripe with activity.

In St. Lawrence County there are several apple orchards, pumpkin patches and farmers markets bustling in fall.

A quick glance at the event listings in our paper and you’ll find dozens of Halloween and harvest activities planned around the county.

Recently my family and I visited a local apple orchard where we also enjoyed a corn maze and some apple cider donuts.

Last weekend, we went to Waddington’s Pumpkinfest, dropped in at the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum in Madrid where a pumpkin painting event was taking place. We also took a hayride tour of Fort Tribute at the museum. The kids were able to interact with some reenactors from Forsythe’s Rifles and see an apple press in action while they waited in line.

Despite the wet weather, we also visited Morristown’s Halloween story walk, which the boys really enjoyed.

The best part is aside from the gas, the only cost associated with the events was $6 I spent on pumpkins.

I know Halloween isn’t celebrated by everyone and that’s fine by me, but it’s always been one of my favorite holidays, perhaps because it feels so different from the others.

While most holidays tend to be very family-centric and steeped in charity, both of which are great attributes, Halloween has always felt more community oriented to me. Instead of gathering in one home, we visit dozens of others.

I know in recent years there have been efforts to move away from Trick or Treating, but I’m admittedly resistant to the movement. Trunk or Treats are fun, but the magic, to me, just isn’t quite the same.

I remember that feeling as a child traveling in costume with friends from house to house laughing with community members and yes getting some unhealthy treats along the way.

I think now more than ever, seeing people face to face, and interacting with members of our community, however briefly, is important.

What always amazed me about Halloween as a kid was how the whole community seemed in on it and that’s pretty special.

People I’d never met were willing to await my arrival and reward me for my visit. Sometimes they’d compliment my costume or hit me with a riddle or joke.

Even better were the houses that took it step further. The ones with spooky decorations, fog, lights and scary sounds. Sometimes they’d even have someone waiting to pop out and scare me.

As a child, trick or treating was the payoff after weeks of build up. I remember carving pumpkins, coloring contests and selecting, making or modifying costumes. I remember having important discussions about which streets gave the best candy and watching Halloween-themed episodes of my favorite shows and in later years it became a chance to catch up or revisit old horror films.

I remember trading candy with my brothers after an exhausting night of laughs and scares with my spooky sounds of cassette tape playing in the background.

As an adult I still enjoy Halloween, especially in St. Lawrence County and even more than ever now that I have kids to celebrate with.

We really have some top class “haunts” around here. I’ve been to many haunted houses in many places, including Salem, Mass. and I have to say the ones up here are as good or better than anywhere I’ve been.

I highly recommend visiting as many as you can if you’re into that sort of thing.

If you’re not, there are still plenty of harvest celebrations to enjoy as well. There is lots of fun to be had at local orchards and community events.

Much like the sugaring season in spring, the cider season takes place in the fall. It’s another great opportunity for kids to see where their foods come from.

It’s also a great time for a foliage-filled drive down in the Adirondacks.

Remember, winter’s right around the corner, so get out and have some fall fun before it’s too late.

Jimmy Lawton is news editor of North Country This Week and NorthCountryNow.com