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Autumn Glow Festival

**Tickets at https://www.autumnglowfestival.com** Step into a dazzling and whimsical world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns, all handmade by artisans with decades of experience. Each unique piece holds a story of its own that will be told to visitors to help contextualize their experience even more. The Autumn Glow Festival’s unique luminescent night walk brings the culture and craftsmanship of traditional Chinese lantern festivals to Schenectady, celebrating the diversity of our region. It's a truly unforgettable experience, and the perfect fall activity for families and friends. About the lanterns: Modern LED lights are embellished by traditionally hand-crafted lantern frames made from small pieces of classically made Chinese silk cloth and steel wire. All lanterns are created by artisans, who have over 20 years of experience in their trade and bring magical folkloric creatures to life. The lighting of lanterns can be traced perhaps as far back as the Han dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE) in China. Originally, lanterns were primarily round in form, and when lit, they paid homage to the full moon. Glowing lanterns thus celebrate the changing of seasons and the cycles of nature. They were also used in Chinese history to commemorate imperial, Buddhist and Daoist deities. Seasonal celebrations developed into quite festive events, and their accompanying dances and dramas inspired craftsmen to create lanterns in a variety of animal and other playful forms. Lantern festivals in China are regionally diverse, but they are always occasions when families and friends reunite and gather together. Date: September 6th - November 3rd Days: Fridays, Saturdays*, and Sundays Time: 6:30pm - 10pm (last entrance at 9 PM) What to Expect: The walk is around 45 minutes long, and the experience is enhanced with live performances, seasonal food and drink options, a bounce house, sugar painting demonstrations, a dinosaur ride, wish jars, and a lighted scarecrow competition, created by local artists. Location: 1100 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction, NY 12150 Mabee Farm Historic Site Age requirement: All ages welcome Price: $16.99-$26.99 *blackout dates are Saturdays September 7, 14, 21, and October 5.  

Farm Kids Pumpkin Day!

The Mabee Farm's pumpkin patch will be open just for kids! Come spend a fall day with us as we wander our pumpkin patch, picking our favorites. Our pumpkins come in all sizes, shapes and colors! We'll then create a gourdy craft with our picks. This program is free for SCHS family+ members, but RSVP required. Non-members are $10/person. Advance registration is required. We CANNOT take walk-ins. All ticket sales are final.

Free – $10.00

Secret Stockade Saturdays

The Stockade comes to life on this behind-the-scenes journey through the neighborhood. A national historic district, the Stockade is alive with the sights and sounds of a vibrant, ever-changing neighborhood. Walk its storied streets, meet local characters, and learn its legends and lore as we journey across history. Tickets are $25, include museum admission, a guided neighborhood tour, exclusive access to two Stockade homes and gardens, and coffee and a treat at Arthur’s Market. This tour lasts approximately three hours, and is offered — by reservation– on the second Saturday of the month in warm months. The tour involves about 1 mile of walking on sometimes uneven sidewalks. It meets at the Schenectady Historical Museum at 32 Washington Ave, Schenectady NY 12305. Parking is available in the YWCA lot next door, or on the street. **All ticket sales are final. We cannot offer refunds or date exchanges if your plans change.**

$25.00