Article & Photos by Barbara Arnstein
On Friday, October 23rd, the final walk for this season’s “State Park After Dark” at Allegany State Park will take place from 7:30-9pm. Those unafraid to join naturalists telling ghost stories and other scary tales will meet at Camp Allegany, for a one-mile walk on mixed-terrain, uneven paths with limited visibility. Participants are advised to wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. For more information go to: parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks or call (716) 379-6450.
On Saturday, October 24th, on Monroe Street in Ellicottville, the EVL Halloween Half Marathon will begin at 11am, while the 5K will begin at 11:15am. The day will offer fun activities and many runners in great Halloween costumes. For more information, go to: evlhalf.com or call (716) 699-5046. Also on that Saturday, at 7 Monroe Street, costumed dancers will perform Michael Jackson’s choreography from “Thriller” twice, from 8-8:20om, and from 9-9:20pm, outside the Villaggio restaurant. The free performances will feature performers from the Fusion Dance Studio. For more information, go to: villaggioevl.com or call (716) 699-2199. At Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, the last chairlift rides of the season to Spruce Lake will be on Saturday, October 24th and 25th between noon and 4pm on both days. For more information, go to: holidayvalley.com or call (716) 699-2345.
The Root 39 Salon in Springville will be having a Halloween-season celebration for kids that’s a rodeo! On Sunday, October 25th, from 1-4pm, rain or shine, they will have a Mechanical Bull, pony rides, barrel racing, competitions and more. Prizes will be awarded for the best cowgirl or cowboy costumes. The salon is located at 500 South Cascade Drive. For more information email: Root39salonspa@yahoo.com or call (716) 592-3939.
On Halloween itself, the New York & Lake Erie Railroad will have a Halloween Costume Train Ride. The two departures, from 50 Commercial Street in Gowanda, will be at 11am and 2pm. The two-hour round-trip ride includes a half-hour visit to the South Dayton Depot. For more information, go to: nylerailroad.com or call: (716) 532-5242. Now is the time to visit Rock City Park in Olean, because visiting will end for this season on Halloween. The park at 505 Rock City Road, on Route 16 South, offers a very entertaining trail leading through gigantic cantilevered boulders, a gift shop/museum and now, gorgeous fall foliage. For more information, go to: rockcitypark@hotmail.com or call (866) 404-ROCK.