**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.  

Join Schenectady City Historian Chris Leonard as explore the stately GE Realty Plot! We'll uncover stories about GE inventors and executives, Schenectady business and political leaders, entertainers, and more, plus discover the formation of this historic neighborhood, and ongoing efforts to protect these stately homes. The GE Realty Plot has been home to some of the world’s foremost leaders in science, engineering, business, politics, and the military. You probably know Charles P. Steinmetz and Nobel Prize winner Irving Langmuir lived in the GE Realty Plot, but what about Colonel James Andrews, Izetta Jewel Miller, Albert Hull & Alice Scudder... Tickets: $25/person and include entry into one of the homes and snacks on its large front porch! Location: The tour meets at Steinmetz Memorial Park on Wendell Avenue, next to the Unitarian Church (1221 Wendell Ave.). (Not Steinmetz Park on Rosa Road) Time: Tours start at 10 AM sharp and last approximately 2 hours Parking: There is ample parking on Wendell Ave and surrounding streets. Please do not park in the Unitarian Church parking lot. By joining the tour, you're not just immersing yourself in history; you're also making a difference. All proceeds from the tour go to the Schenectady County Historical Society and the Office of the City Historian of Schenectady, supporting their invaluable work in preserving our shared heritage.