Pennsylvania district 26 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary has announced essay contests for students in junior and senior high school.

The Voice of Democracy audio essay scholarship competition for high school students offers scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C., for winners.

Students in grades 6 to 8 can participate in the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest to compete for savings bonds and a trip to the Ladies Auxiliary Community Service Conference.

Students entering the Voice of Democracy Contest must submit a written and recorded essay of three to five minutes on the theme "My Role in Honoring America's Veterans."

Participants in the Patriot's Pen contest will submit a 300 to 400 word essay on the theme "Why I Am An American Patriot."

Essays must be submitted to a local chapter by Nov. 1.

Details are available from school guidance counselors, local VFW chapters or at www.vfw.org.

Zelienople — The Strand Theater is seeking volunteers to help staff and manage its Northern Nightmares Halloween Festival, which runs Fridays and Saturdays in October.The festival includes a trolley tour that visits rumored haunted locations between Zelienople and Harmony, entertainment by dancers from area dance schools and monster movies shown at Beecher's Cafe on Main Street.Volunteers ages 16 and older are needed for character roles, to sell tickets and for set-up and management.For information or to volunteer, call 724-742-0400 or e-mail thestrand@zoominternet.net. Information is available at www.northernnightmares.com.

A rummage sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 22 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 218 E. Jefferson St.

SARVER — Craft vendors are needed for a craft show to be held Oct. 6 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 409 Sarver Road.The event is organized by the church's Ladies Guild. For reservations or information, call 724-353-0087.

CABOT — ACider and Sauerkraut Festival and Pioneer Day will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Cooper Cabin Pioneer Homestead, 199 Cooper Road.Events will include cider, apple butter and sauerkraut preparation and tasting. Quilting, lace making and spinning will also be demonstrated.Children's activities, cabin tours and food will also be available.For information, contact the Butler County Historical Society at 724-283-8116.

BUTLER TWP — The rock band Bring Me the Horizon will perform in concert at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Meridian Veterans Club, 125 Veterans Club Road.Musical groups Missing Since November, Belie My Burial, Fire From the Gods and others will also perform.For details, visit www.bridgeportent.com.