Fall fun

n Haunting

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completely realistic in the light of day. In addition to lighting, create a playlist of creepy sounds. Consider how effective those grandfather clock bell tolls were at evoking fear in season four of “Stranger Things.” Pick your spooky sounds, whether it’s animals or something more supernatural.

Narrow down a theme

Decide which type of scenes you’ll want to depict and maintain continuity throughout. Graveyards, monstrous realms, insane asylum, or evil fairy tale creatures can serve as inspiration for a theme. Once a theme has been chosen, you can build props, decorations, lighting and other effects around it.

Enlist some live-action help

Gather a bunch of volunteers who can be on hand to staff your haunted house, particularly if you’re opening up your property to the neighborhood for a night or two, or if you’re hosting a party. Each volunteer should be dressed and acting according to the theme. A mix of stationary decorations with creepy people moving about can really set a haunted house apart.

Create ‘bloody’ candles

Purchase white pillar candles and get one long, red candle as well. Over a protected surface, melt the red candle and drizzle “blood” trickles over the white candles from the tops and down the sides. These candles can be placed around your haunted house.

Spooky silhouettes

Back-lit silhouettes made of cardboard or another thick paper can cause haunted house visitors to take a second look. Prop them up in windows or place them at the end of dark hallways to create the feeling that someone is watching. You’ll be sure to get pulses rising.

Gather old dolls

Dolls can be creepy characters, and older dolls may appear even more haunted and spooky. Set up an old baby bassinet with a bunch of worn dolls found at various antique stores or garage sales. Work them into your theme or let them be scary all on their own.

Once your haunted house is complete, set up a clearly marked path so visitors know where to walk. Create different scenes along the path to have a scare around every corner.

From the cover TOP 5 FALL FRIGHTS

It’s finally fall! Celebrate the spooky season with your family at one of these area venues and make the most of cooler temperatures combined with stunning foliage and frightening fun.

1. Don your best lederhosen for a taste of the tropics at Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery’s Hawaiian Oktoberfest at the farm Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16.

Cap off a day of apple picking with some live music by The Swingin’ Palms and Pine Hills Band. The two-day, fun-filled event will also feature German-Hawaiian fusion dishes, as well as drinks served in pineapples and Spam cans. The kids will enjoy the farm animals and play area, and everyone is a fan of the cider doughnuts. There is no entry fee. For more information, visit indianladderfarms. com/hawaiianoktoberfest.

2. The Hollowed Harvest returns to the Altamont Fairgrounds this fall. From dinosaurs to zombies, sea creatures to medieval castles, all made out of Jack-O’-Lanterns, you won’t believe what you’re going to see! Marvel at more than 7,000 incredible Jack-O’-Lanterns creating stunning landscapes and larger-thanlife displays, some towering as tall as 3 stories, and spanning more than 60 feet in length.

The Hollowed Harvest will take place throughout October from Thursday -Sunday of each week, with additional dates added the week of Halloween. Tickets start at $16 for kids and $20 for adults and must be purchased in advance. They are available online at HollowedHarvest. com/altamont-ny.

3. This next one is not for the faint of heart. Double M Haunted Hayrides has been creating fear for over 30 years. Double M, located in Ballston Spa, knows how to do Halloween. This year’s walk-through attractions include Brutality, Blood Moon Farm, The Last Inn, Fear All Year and Slaughter Swamp. Each hayride lasts approximately 30-40 minutes, with the ride and walkthrough attractions is roughly one hour. You can also enjoy a midway “Feartainment,” featuring interactive creatures, music, concession stand, souvenir stand and photo booth.

General admission, which includes all attractions, is $39.95. For more information and hours of operation, visit doublemhauntedhayrides.com.

4. Looking for something a little more laid back? Travel along the tranquil Susquehanna River, through farm fields with beautiful views, and forests with colorful foliage on the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad in Milford. The open air car with permanent canopy makes for a perfect view of the colors, rain or shine. Food and beverages are available for sale on the train, and the two and a half hour ride is ideal for all ages. Reservations are not required, but definitely encouraged.

The train runs Sunday and Monday, Oct. 9 and 10; Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16; and Saturday and Sunday Oct. 29 and 30. Tickets cost $20 for children and seniors, and $25 for adults. Children under 3 ride for free. Visit www.lrhs.com/fall-foliage-excursion for more information or to purchase tickets.

5. The Pumpkin Glow & Light Show DriveThru Experience at Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa is an enchanting Halloween experience that features a pumpkin wonderland with thousands of handcarved illuminated jack o’ lanterns. Guests will be immersed in the magic from the safety and comfort of their own vehicle.

From a single pumpkin carving to larger than life dazzling light displays, master carvers are bring all of the Halloween spirit to life. Ticket packages start at $24.99$54.99. Visit www.ellmsfarms.com/ pumpkin-glow-and-light-show for more information and to purchase tickets. — Compiled by Kristen Roberts, Capital District Family Now

NowFamily CAPITAL DISTRICT GENERATIONS TOGETHER Capital District Family Now is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 5th of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates are available on request. Capital District Family Now reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by the contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. © Copyright Capital District Family Now. No portion of Capital District Family Now may be reproduced without written permission from Community Media Group LLC. publisher | John McIntyre editor | Kristen Roberts

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