Adirondack Family Activities' Diane Chase: Local Halloween Events

By Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Activities™

My son has come home from school with a few new phrases to accompany “trick-or-treat.” It has something to do with feet and sweets and I am wondering why we ever give candy to kids anyway, ungrateful bunch of so-n-sos. I marvel at my inconsistency. I monitor with vigilance the quality and quantity of sugar that my children digest only to throw all the rules aside come October 31st.

For some reason this celebration that originated with seasonal changes and the harvest opens the floodgates in our household for just another excuse to purchase holiday-themed confections. At night my husband and I will squabble over the drawer of treats justifying our behavior with veiled references to dental appointments. I am sure that we are the only couple that robs their children’s candy bag. Hmmm…

Below is a partial listing of Halloween events happening around the Adirondack Park. I am sure there are plenty more activities planned but this is what I was able to unearth in my quest for the haunted, costumed and candied.

October 29
Old Forge Halloween Parade
Held at the Old Forge Fire Department. Refreshments will be served.

Glens Falls Downtown Trick or Treat Walk 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Show off your costumes and trick-or-treat for and with the kids

Haunted Fort at Fort Ticonderoga
This event will be held the 29th and 30th in Ticonderoga and not recommended for children under 10.

October 30
Equine Center Wagon ride at Ausable Chasm 10:30 a.m.
Wagon rides from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Children under 4 free; ages 4-12 $7; teens and adults $9. Call 518-834-9933; for directions or online at

Saranac Lake Trick or Treat 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Downtown Saranac Lake. Participating businesses will be identified with a pumpkin sign visible in their window.

Long Lake Halloween Carnival 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Long Lake Student Council will host a Halloween carnival at the school. Costume contest, parade, haunted house, games and prizes. Admission is $1.00.

Plattsburgh Trick-or-Treat on Safety Street - 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.,
The Crete Civic Center will transformed into a Trick-or-Treat haven. They will create a safe neighborhood where children can go from house to house and gather goodies without the worries of cars, strangers or tainted candy.

Tupper Lake Trick or Treat 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Trick or Treat on Park & Main in Tupper Lake. Participating businesses will display a poster. Children are to be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call the Tupper Lake Chamber at 518-359-3328.

Elizabethtown Tour of the Supernatural 4:00 p.m.
The Adirondack History Center Museum in Elizabethtown will host a Tour of the Supernatural. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Warm clothing, walking shoes and umbrellas are recommended. Start with cider and donuts and then visit the Riverside Cemetery and a walk through a haunted wood (Actors present local haunting events so small children beware!) Space is limited so please call for reservations: 518-873-6466.

Fright Fest at The Great Escape (Friday: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m, Saturday: 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
Decorated for Halloween, The Great Escape has all the usual fare plus costume and scream contests, a Haunted House and Trick-or-Treat Trail. The Haunted House is an extra $5.00 per person and not recommended for children under 12. The park is “less scary” from noon – 4:00 p.m. because ghouls come out at night. If you purchase tickets online there is a $10 saviings.

Halloween Hayrides (7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m)
Ellms Family Farm · 448 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020,
Throughout the month of October on Friday and Saturday evenings. The hayride is designed for all ages especially for those up to age 9 (not haunted!)

Ticonderoga Safe Trick or Treat 3;30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Montcalm Street will be closed to traffic to host and safe trick or treat sponsored by downtown merchants.

October 31
Inlet Trick-or-Treat Night 5:00 p.m.

Old Forge Halloween Parade 5:00 p.m.
at the Old Forge Fire Hall on Lamberton Street.

Indian Lake’s Halloween Parade and Party 3:00 p.m.
Those in costume are invited to parade down Main Street to the Fire House for a holiday party.

The Adirondack Corn Maze

Dr. Morbid’s Haunted House
Open all year this house is meant to scare you witless so unless you plan on having your children co-sleep forever use your good judgment on bringing young children.

Chester-Horicon Halloween Parade and Haunted House
Youth Commission to help out in presenting the group's annual Halloween Parade (4:00 p.m.) & Haunted House (Non-scary 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Scary from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)

Boo!
by Diane Chase