Halloween activities, tips

There’s plenty to do for holiday revelers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> The Halloween forecast isn’t promising as the National Weather Service in Albany is calling for a 60 percent chance of showers on Wednesday.

But determined trick-or-treaters won’t be scared off and may even stay dry beforehand with free readings of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, from 2-4 p.m. at the National Museum of Racing. Halloween-themed crafts will also be available in the HorsePlay Gallery.

Saratoga Farmer’s Market on High Rock Avenue also has a variety of kid-friendly events planned from 3-6 p.m. such as trick-or-treating, a costume contest with prizes, free pumpkin painting, food tastings, live music and a children’s activity hosted by Saratoga Springs Public Library.

The National Crime Prevention Council urges all trick-or-treaters to follow important safety tips. They are:

• Trick-or-treat in your own neighborhood.

• Go with an adult and/or older children. Stay in groups, stay together.

• Never enter a house or car. Only approaches houses that have a light on.

• Wear light clothing or put reflective tape on costumes.

• Make sure costumes aren’t too long, to avoid tripping. Wear flame retardant material.

• Stay on the sidewalks. Never run into streets.

• Carry a flashlight, glowstick or reflective bag at all times.

• Don’t eat candy while trickor-treating. Have an adult inspect it first at home.

Before trick-or-treating kids can

On Tuesday, a variety of spooky activities are planned locally to help young and old alike get in the Halloween spirit.

From 5-6:30 p.m., Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation will host a “Madness, Murder, Untimely Deaths, and Strange Coincidences” tour of Greenridge Cemetery. Volunteer docent Gloria May will navigate the tombs and monuments of Greenridge Cemetery, discussing the historical and architectural background of the American rural cemetery movement while unearthing tales of Saratoga’s most notable residents. Bring a flashlight and meet at Sackett Gates on Lincoln Avenue. Tickets are $10 per person and are available online at store.saratogapreservation.org, by phone at (518) 587-5030, or night of the tour.

Halloween Ghost Tours of Canfield Casino in Congress Park will be held every 15 minutes beginning at p.m. Reservations for time slots are strongly suggested. Each tour lasts one hour and is limited to 15 people. The last group steps off at 8 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for children 6-17, and children 6 and under are admitted free.

A Hollywood-themed bash called “Icons & Legends: Halloween Extravaganza” is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. at Putnam Place, 63a Putnam St. in Saratoga Springs. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in costume as their favorite Hollywood icon or legend. The winner gets a $100 gift card to Max London’s. RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/icons-legendshalloween-extravaganza-tickets-51345425550.

Saratoga City Tavern is hosting a haunted house from 8 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday and Wednesday. There will be live music and a costume contest on Halloween.

Also, Tuesday and Wednesday (8:30-10 p.m.) iTheatre Saratoga will present “Night of the Living Dead,” featuring live drama fused with multimedia production, which pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of this classic movie. This event will be at the National Museum of Dance, 99 South Broadway. Cost is $25 for adults, $25 for students.

PAUL POST — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The New York State Museum in Albany is colorfully decorated for Halloween.

PAUL POST — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Hundreds of kids turned out for a Halloween Spooktacular featuring games, rides and arts projects at the New York State Museum on Sunday. Many Halloween-related events are scheduled for young and old alike in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday and Wednesday.

PAUL POST — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A young trick-or-treater is dressed like a character from the animated movie “Cars.”