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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.  

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Candlelight Tours

Explore the historic Stockade after dark, and discover the neighborhood’s haunted past. Guided by expert storytellers, immerse yourself in the ghost tales of this nearly 400-year-old neighborhood. On our “Ghostly Victorian" tour, listen to ghostly tales as you venture past flickering stoops and encounter lingering spirits. Or, brave the “Colonial Hauntings” tour, traversing ancient streets where spirits congregate at colonial-era houses, all under the moonlit sky. Tickets are $15 and you can choose either the "Colonial Hauntings" or "Ghostly Victorian" tour. The two tours feature different stories, and venture through different parts of the neighborhood. We recommend you bring a flashlight. Each tour lasts 60-90 minutes - both tours cannot be done on the same night. The tour meets at SCHS, 32 Washington Avenue, Schenectady. Please park on the street, and allow ample time to walk to SCHS. Parking is not allowed in the YWCA parking lot. Candlelight Tours are co-sponsored by the Schenectady Heritage Foundation to benefit historic preservation in Schenectady County. ** All ticket sales are final. No refunds or switching dates, times, or tours. **   Available Dates: October 30 at 6pm and 7:30pm October 31 at 7pm

$15.00

Cider-Making at Mabee Farm (10am)

It’s the tastiest season of all at the Mabee Farm! Our apples are ready to pick and press into sweet cider but we’ll need your help! We’ll work with our antique 1840 cider press to create a great tasting treat. We'll also discuss how this famous fruit was an historically important resource for farmers, and how modern apple growers keep the tradition alive today. Of course, everyone who helps with the work gets to taste the results!  This program begins promptly at 10am. $10 per attendee over 4. Note: this is NOT a pick-your-own apples event! Pre-registration is required; we CANNOT accept walk-ins. All ticket sales final.

$10.00

Cider-Making at Mabee Farm (12pm)

It’s the tastiest season of all at the Mabee Farm! Our apples are ready to pick and press into sweet cider but we’ll need your help! We’ll work with our antique 1840 cider press to create a great tasting treat. We'll also discuss how this famous fruit was an historically important resource for farmers, and how modern apple growers keep the tradition alive today. Of course, everyone who helps with the work gets to taste the results!  This program begins at 12pm. $10 per attendee over 4. Note: this is NOT a pick-your-own apples event! Pre-registration is required; we CANNOT accept walk-ins. All ticket sales final.

$10.00