No Halloween parade at Raynham school

The Merrill School in Raynham, after much discussion by administrators, will not hold its annual Halloween parade this year for kindergartners and first-graders, ending a 20-year-old tradition. Principal Kathryn Tripp made recent rumors about its cancellation official last Thursday, when she sent a note home to parents. The decision was based on safety concerns. Administrators said the costumes or masks worn by adults at the event made it hard to determine whether unauthorized people were at the school. - Christine Legere

SHELLFISH BEDS REOPEN - At sunrise last Saturday, shellfish beds in Plymouth, Duxbury, Bourne, and Sandwich were reopened for harvesting. The state Division of Marine Fisheries determined that clams and other shellfish - except for carnivorous snails, channeled and knobbed whelks, and moon snails - no longer contain "red tide" algae, which contain biotoxins that can cause illness in humans, in excess of established safety standards. The decision ended a ban that was enacted on June 12. - Christine Legere

BOUNTY OF FESTIVALS - Those looking to get a close-up view of the cranberry harvest and enjoy some outdoor activities have a choice of celebrations this weekend. Edaville USA, in south Carver, will be in full swing for the National Cranberry Festival, with crafts, food, music, and train, helicopter and amusement rides from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday, plus fireworks at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting. Admission is $6. And in Wareham's Tihonet Village, the fifth annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration, at the A.D. Makepeace Co.'s headquarters, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, organized by the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association. According to Jeffrey LaFleur, its executive director, the festival will feature a tour of a working cranberry bog, a juried crafts show, live music, cooking demonstrations, and helicopter rides. Admission will be $2, with no charge for children younger than age 6. - Christine Legere