**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.  

The Walkabout is a house tour, a celebration of our great neighborhood and a major fundraiser for the Stockade Association and Schenectady County Historical Society. Save this special Saturday in September in the Stockade as a day to stroll through three centuries of our fabulous history in New York’s oldest registered historic district!  Eight neighbors have graciously agreed to open the interior of their homes to neighbors and visitors and tell secrets of the architecture and stories of the families that lived in them. Tickets are $25 in advance of the day, $30 on the day of the event, and $10 for students on the day of the event. The Stockade Walkabout is presented by the Stockade Association and the Schenectady County Historical Society with proceeds benefiting Stockade preservation and beautification, and SCHS' mission. Participating houses include: 22 Front Street 29 Front Street 29 1/2 Front Street 47 Front Street 205 Union Street 234 Union Street 123 N Ferry Street 12 1/2 N Ferry Street ...plus SCHS, the Stockade Inn, and neighborhood churches!