Arboretum Contributes to Halloween Hoopla in Schoharie County

ESPERANCE, NY (10/23/2007)(readMedia)-- Like the all-night vigil that accompanies the inflation of the giant cartoon characters for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, or Philadelphia’s Mummers’ Day extravaganza, Halloween ignites the spirits of cities and towns coast to coast and unites people for months of preparation followed by an unforgettable night that fuels months of party-talk and fireside chat in the months ahead. On a smaller but no less enthusiastic scale, Schoharie County is no also-ran in celebrating this night of fun, sorcery, and tasteful abandon.

Howe Caverns takes the lead with its Annual Halloween celebration on October 26, 5:30 - 8:30 PM. The silver anniversary of this yearly charity benefit takes visitors on a journey 156-feet below the earth's surface into the great "haunted cave" filled with monsters and giggles. Proceeds benefit the Schoharie County ARC. Among the very special attractions in this scary good time: the first-ever Zombie walk, a fitting precursor for the 1st Schoharie “Scary County” Film Festival. Prepare for the arrival of Batman and Robin via Batmobile, the other-worldly sounds of Tom Wadsworth and John Scarpulla, and the unspeakable horrors waiting below and you’ve got the stuff of goose bumps galore! Proud sponsors of the 25th Annual Halloween at Howe Caverns include McDonald’s, Support Services Alliance, SUNY Cobleskill – and you, one can only hope, to bring light to the wondrous darkness of the night.

If down under is not your thing, reach for the sky at the Landis Arboretum for an open-air spooking and Full Moon Owl Prowl on October 26, 7 - 8:30 p.m. The Prowl is an Arboretum tradition under the skillful guidance of science educator and scary-fun guy George Steele. George shares the skinny on owls — where they live, what they sound like, and what they do. Wide-eyed you will soon know too. Suggested donation for this family event is $5. Landis Arboretum, 174 Lape Road, Esperance. 518-875-6935. www.landisarboretum.org.

And because there should be no end to wonderful things, the Golding Park Café welcomes both spooked and spookee that same night for a performance featuring Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion. According to G-P promotion, “This husband and wife duo combines homespun harmonies and a swirl of American roots-music influences. The most recent collaboration, the fittingly titled Exploration, is irrefutable proof that the disarming granddaughter of Woody/daughter of Arlo and the prodigious South Carolinian, indie-rocker quite naturally bring out the best in each other.” Seeing is believing and you’ll see for yourself when the door squeaks open at 6:45 PM to allow leisurely checking of masks and capes. The real deal at 7:30. 103 High Street, Cobleskill. Reservations suggested. Admission: $13 non-members; $10 members. www.goldingparkcafe.com.

You’ve been hearing about it for months so why miss THE FIRST Schoharie Scary Horror Film Festival, October 27, Noon-7 p.m. A daylong program of new horror films from around the world. Program includes both shorts and features, including a screening from Upstate New York's own Bruce Hallenbeck and his new ghost story, The Drowned. Also showing an exclusive world premiere of the crazy Australian horror comedy, The Horror of Cornhole Cove. SUNY Tickets are $10 general admission, SUNY C students are admitted free, all other students $5 with current student ID. Films are unrated; some require parental discretion. That’s a good sign! Tickets available through the SUNY Student Life Center at Bouck Hall, and at the Tri-County Arts Council. Festival at Cobleskill's Bouck Hall auditorium. www.scaryfilmfest.com. 518-254-0611.

And because the film fest is an all day affair, and you’re already in your day-glow garb, hot-foot it to the costume parade at the spooktacularly beautiful New York Power Authority grounds. Flash your pearly plastic fangs and designer cape for a Spooky Halloween at the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project's visitors center featuring, scary games, scary stories, hayrides and other treats for all trick-or-treaters, and their families, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Call 1-800-724-0390. NYPA, 1378 State Route 30, North Blenheim. 1-800-724-0309. www.nypa.gov.

“A full harvest moon shining down on pumpkins and black cats…that’s Hallowe’en,” says Corbie Mitleid, the Mohawk Valley’s favorite psychic medium. A certified professional tarot reader and certified psychic, the glamorous Reverend Corbie is primed to ply her art through readings and mediumship at Head 2 Toe -- home of Judy Hair-do -- (corner of Maine and Union) on Oct. 31 from 11 AM – 7 PM. Come early. Stay late. To schedule a very special personal treat for yourself or others, call Corbie (234-1860).

Costumed and petered out? Need to unwind and restore that spirit within? Consider the ethereal balm of Upper Catskill String Quartet. Beth Brandel and Camille Grace on violin, John DeValve on viola, and Brittany Tissiere on cello will join renowned harpist Anita Briggs. Concerts on November 7 at Canajoharie High School at 7 PM, November 9 at Cobleskill Zion Lutheran Church at 7 PM, and on November 10 at Schoharie Presbyterian Church at 7:30 PM. All performances are free. The best often does cost less. You’ll want to know more because you always do: 518-234-8220

Whether you opt for the Haunted House at the Esperance Elks Lodge, the goings-on down under at Secret Caverns, door-to-door trick or treatin’ in your ‘hood, the third annual Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon @ Squirrelly Six Mile (best carving/best costume/best gorilla impersonation) sponsored by the Albany Running Exchange on Oct. 28, or just a leisurely stroll past the beautifully understated Halloween décor of The Gables B&B on Main Street, spook it up and peak with the season under that ol’ devil moon over Schoharie County.

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