Hanover’s Top 5 Weekend Events (October 10-12)

Founded in 1906, the Hanover Aerie #1406 has been part of our town’s story for well over a century. Rooted in the founding values of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, the Hanover Eagles have always lived by a simple but powerful mission: People Helping People.

One of their most beloved contributions is the cherished Hanover holiday tradition, Santa’s Cabin. In 2018, when the original cabin had fallen into disrepair, the Eagles stepped in and donated the funds needed to build a brand-new log cabin so that families could continue to experience the magic of Santa in Center Square each December.

From live music and membership drives to local fundraisers and family-friendly events, the Eagles continue to play a vital role in keeping Hanover connected, generous, and full of hometown pride.

🙏 Sponsors keep this little newsletter alive and growing. Your support of them means the world to me.

The pumpkins are out, the air is crisp, and Hanover feels alive again.

This is the kind of weekend that makes you want to wander, linger, and see what your neighbors are up to because there’s always something good happening close to home.

A big thank-you to this week’s sponsors, Fraternal Order of Eagles - Aerie #1406 and 1440 Media. Clicking their links directly supports this newsletter.

This newsletter began as a love letter to Hanover as a way to celebrate the people, stories, and simple joys that make this town feel like home.

A huge thank-you to the very first 🌱 Founding Supporters of Heart of Hanover:

Darlene R.
Brian S.
Holly A.

You three remind me that small acts of kindness ripple outward in ways that truly matter.

When you become a 🌱 Founding Supporter, you’re not just funding a newsletter. You’re helping build a movement of neighbors who believe connection, kindness, and local pride still matter.

If Heart of Hanover has ever made you smile, helped you discover a new favorite place, or reminded you that you belong here, I’d be honored to have you in our circle of supporters.

Here are the best of the best. Full event details are listed chronologically below.

🦅 Hanover Eagles Community Day
🎃 Downtown Trick-or-Treat (2nd Saturday)
🍻 Fat Bat Brewing: Cornhole & Crafts
🛍️ Handmade Market at Rusty Naill Pallet & Co.
🐾 Furr-Tober Fest at Village Pet Shoppe

📍 Fraternal Order of Eagles, 105 Park Heights Blvd, Hanover
🕓 Friday, October 10 | 🕚 11 AM - Dusk
🎶 DJ & Music Trivia | 🕖 7 PM – 10 PM

If you’ve never stopped by the Hanover Eagles, this Friday’s your chance. They’re throwing open the doors to the public for a full day of music, food, and old-fashioned community fun. There’s a free bounce house, so bring the kids and stick around for dinner & drinks.

The fun rolls into the evening with a DJ and music trivia, so you can test your song knowledge while supporting a local organization that lives by the motto “People Helping People.”

Whether you’re curious about membership (they’re waiving enrollment fees for new applications) or just looking for a friendly place to spend your Friday, stop by and see what it means to be part of the flock.

📍 Center Square, Downtown Hanover
🗓 Saturday, October 11 | 🕚 11 AM – 2 PM

💵 Free | 🎫 Register Online (or at the Main Street tent in Center Square)

Downtown will be buzzing with little ghosts, goblins, and superheroes this Saturday for Main Street Hanover’s Downtown Trick-or-Treat. Costumes for everyone? Absolutely encouraged - don’t let your kiddos have all the fun.

Grab your Trick-or-Treat Card at the Main Street tent in Center Square and start making your rounds collecting candy and goodies from dozens of participating shops.

📍 Fat Bat Brewing, 10 N Railroad St, Hanover
🗓 Saturday, October 11 | 🕐 1 PM – 6 PM
🎯 Cornhole Tournament | 🕐 1 PM – 4 PM

Saturday at Fat Bat Brewing looks like the perfect mix of friendly competition and local creativity.

Grab a partner and join a 16-team double-elimination tournament out on Bank Lane. Registration is $40 per team, with cash and gift card prizes for the champs. And beer specials will be flowing all afternoon.

While you’re there, you’ll find handmade goods from local artisans like CRUMB Sourdough, McCosh Makes Crafts, and Peaceful Paths Jewelry. It’s part mini market, part hangout. And the kind of Saturday vibe only Hanover can pull off.

📍 Rusty Naill Pallet & Co., 639 Frederick St, Suite 2, Hanover
🗓 Friday, October 10 | 🕕 6 PM – 8 PM
🗓 Saturday, October 11 | 🕙 10 AM – 3 PM

Rusty Naill Pallet & Co. is transforming into a handmade wonderland this weekend, with more than 30 local vendors filling the shop with creativity, color, and the sweet smell of cinnamon rolls drifting through the air.

You’ll find everything from home décor and hand-poured candles to local honey, goat milk soaps, and freeze-dried treats. There will be jewelry, cards, chocolates, and fresh-baked breads stacked high.

It’s the perfect spot to start your holiday shopping early, or just wander through, chat with the makers, and soak up the cozy, small-town magic that happens when people share what they love to create.

📍 Village Pet Shoppe, 1150 Carlisle St, Hanover
🗓 Saturday, October 11 | 🕘 9 AM – 5 PM

Get ready for a day of paws, scales, and smiles at Village Pet Shoppe’s Furr-Tober Fest. It’s a fall celebration for animal lovers of all ages!

Reptile Invasion Rescue will be set up with live reptiles you can see, touch, and learn about. This is always a hit with the kids (and a few brave parents, too). There’s a coloring contest for kids with a chance to win a 👻 Boo Basket. And Empower Martial Arts will be there offering a fun, confidence-boosting board-breaking demo.

And for the grown-ups? Spend $20 or more in-store for a chance to win an 👻 Adult Boo Basket full of seasonal surprises.

These are just a few of the happenings around town. The Heart of Hanover events calendar is packed full of fun things to do.

👉 View the Full Calendar

You know what makes this little newsletter special? You. The stories you love, the events you show up for, the small businesses you cheer on. That’s what keeps this whole thing beating.

I want to keep building Heart of Hanover around what matters most to you. So I’ve put together a short survey to help me learn more about what you enjoy, what you’d love to see more of, and how I can make this even better.

It takes less than five minutes, and as a thank-you, you’ll be entered to win a $20 virtual gift card to Britton Coffee Co. (because caffeine and community go hand-in-hand).

I’m now booking sponsors for Heart of Hanover. If you’d like to partner with me and reach a growing community of 700+ engaged locals each week, email me at [email protected] to learn more.

This is the stuff that Heart of Hanover is all about. Spending time together, supporting local businesses and vendors, and making joy a priority.

So go on. Breathe in that crisp fall air, wander downtown, say hello to someone new. And remember: you matter here. You’re part of what makes Hanover, Hanover.

Thank you to this week’s primary sponsor, Fraternal Order of Eagles – Aerie #1406, for living the motto that says it all: People Helping People.

I’ll be back tomorrow. Same time, same place!

XoXo,
Megan

🧡 If you enjoyed this, tell a friend. Word of mouth keeps this little newsletter growing.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

🙏 Sponsors keep this little newsletter alive and growing. Your support of them means the world to me.