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Haunted Cave Tour

Pumpkin Glow & Light Show

Care for

Halloween haunts across the Capital District range from family friendly to frightening

October pumpkin carving. History. starts the com shares a compelling story Awesome about the Irish myth of “Stingy Trinity of Jack.” According to lore, he Holidays. made a deal with the devil and If you’re not familiar with managed to wiggle himself out that trinity, it’s OK. I just of it. In doing so, he built such made it up. But, you know a reputation for himself that what I’m talking about. he was frozen out from heaven The Awesome Trinity of and that other place once he Holidays includes Thanksgivdied. He’s now left wandering ing and Christmas, but it all the earth with a glowing piece starts with Halloween. of coal to light his way. He by October is the month to serve as a lantern. Across the Michael for haunted hayrides, ghost tours, pumpkin ocean, kids carve scary faces out of apples and turnips to Hallisey carvings and trickor-treating. All of ward off evil spirits. Pumpkins are most common in the which are fun activities United States, so we see them ingrained into our childused instead. hood memories to the point we forget Halloween’s roots. Now, the whole idea of The childhood icons of the making deals with the devil day lend hints to Samhain. sounds like heresy. FollowPagan Celts believed this was ing such traditions could lead the day in which the veils to accusations of practicing between the world of the witchcraft. In the past, that living and the land of never ended very well for the the dead were at their accused. Today, it’s relatively thinnest. It allowed safe to dress up as one on the souls of departed the 31st, but if you float, I’d loved ones to mingle choose another costume. with the living once places it in a carved-out gourd conversing with the dead and more, and not in a Halloween is the underlying creepy, zombie-apoctheme for many of the activities alypse kind of way. for one to enjoy this month. Take a peek at the events There are a few we’ve compiled to see what stories tied to the act of catches your attention. Just

a scare?

keep in mind, if it has anything to do with Jack o’ Lanterns, Stingy Jack may be there, and the devil not too far behind.

The Underworld: Haunted Cave Tour Friday-Sunday, Sept. 25-Nov. 1 Howe’s Cavern 255 Discovery Drive, Howes Cave (518) 296-8900 howecaverns.com/howe-scary

Howe’s Cavern is a fascinating place to visit, giving you both reprise from the summer heat and a peak of what the Underworld could look like on Halloween. This time of year, it’s the setting of The Underworld: Haunted Cave Tour.

The event’s marketing suggests this won’t be for everyone. There’s a litany of conditions you should meet before stepping foot on the tour. You can’t eat, can’t drink, don’t smoke or be intoxicated, best not be injured or limited physically, and don’t suffer from any heart, mental, circulatory or respiratory issues. If you’re in a cast, a brace, or using crutches, you won’t be allowed in.

The latter sounds like it’s meant to insure the safety of staff members as much as it is for those who visit. Using a crutch to club away scary ghouls will likely be frowned upon. It’s best to know your limitations before considering going on this tour. There will be no refunds once you buy a ticket.

“If you violate any of these rules, or if you enter the attraction but decide you are too soft, too scared or too much of a cry-baby, and you want to leave without completing the event, you will not be given a refund,” states the event’s website. “You will be lucky if you even get your soul back … which we probably acquired from you within minutes of entering this underworld!”

The Pumpkin Glow & Light Show Drive-Thru

Thursdays-Sundays,

Oct. 1-Nov. 7

Ellms Family Farm, 448 Charlton Road,

Ballston Spa (518) 884-8168 ellmsfarms.com

The Pumpkin Glow & Light Show Drive-Thru is a practical way of enjoying the season while maintaining safe social distancing during the COVID pandemic. It features a drive-through experience meandering among

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Zombie Zips

Have a Drink on Me 5K

Saratoga DBA Fall Festival

n Scare continued from Page 13 a pumpkin wonderland of thousands of hand-carved Jack o’ Lanterns.

The tour showcases works of single pumpkins to large, dazzling light displays. Visitors will also be able to purchase fallthemes treats, food and beverages, all to be enjoyed from the safety of your family vehicle.

The first of each evening’s 20-minute tours starts at 7 p.m. and continues until 9:40 p.m.

Zombie Zips at Mountain Ridge Adventure Fridays and Saturdays in October, from 7-10 p.m. Mountain Ridge Adventure, 300 Weatherwax Road, Schenectady mountainridgeadventure.com/ zombie-zipline-adventure

Mountain Ridge Adventures warns that Zombie Zips is neither for kids, nor for the faint of heart.

“[It] will stop your heart,” they said.

Your nightmare begins with a corpse-guided tour along a serial killer infested forest to then be hauled into the trees among complete, utter horror. Once in the trees you will be launched in complete darkness.

Alone. Afraid. And, vulnerable along a screaming steel cable hundreds of feet along Mountain Ridge Adventure’s Zip Line Park.

The zip lines can have you soaring through the air, more than 70 feet above the ground. That, along with the prospect of not knowing when you’ll stop, or who will stop you at the end, can heighten the adrenaline for anyone. In all, the event will have you running through 10 zip lines.

Best to have your affairs in order before visiting.

Have A Drink On Me 5K Saturday, Oct. 24, at 9 a.m.

SingleCut North 6 Fairchild Square, Clifton Park

Running is so popular in this area, you really can’t swing a turkey leg without finding a 5K around Thanksgiving. In a similar vein, SingleCut North is making a habit out of hosting Great American Brewery Runs each year, this one set to kick off on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Our affinity for running is matched only by our love for music and beer. Run through a closed, USATF-certified 5K course. Off the course, enjoy Singlecut beer in an official Rastal Craft Master Grand glass. You can also enjoy water, fruit and snacks. Visitors will also be able to partake in Cornhole, Beer Pong and Kan Jam. There will be food trucks and live music at the finish line.

For more information and to register, visit greatamericanbreweryruns.com/singlecut-5k.

Saratoga DBA Fall Festival Saturday, Oct 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown Saratoga Springs (518) 587-8635.

The Spa City hosts a free family-friendly event in its 2020 Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This unique Halloween celebration encourages families to have fun together, enjoying the hospitality of Saratoga Springs’ businesses and the great spirit of the community. Young and old alike will find themselves rediscovering all there is to love about the fall season at this fun-filled free event. Plus, with all of the fun activities planned, this is one event you and your family will not want to miss.

The event features pumpkin decorating, magic, music, face painting, pony rides and more.

Happy Halloween

from all of us at

Now Family CAPITAL DISTRICT GENERATIONS TOGETHER