Haunted Atlas digs for spooky origins of Halloween | DrumhellerMail
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Last updateFri, 20 Dec 2024 5pm

Haunted Atlas digs for spooky origins of Halloween

    Darkness draws nearer in east coulee, the wall between living and dead will be thin at the 9th Annual Haunted Atlas Coal Mine.
    “This year big boo explores the origins of Halloween, an ancient Celtic festival. At the end of harvest, there was a time of animal slaughter, bonfires, divining the future, and rituals.” proclaims Kelly Eddy, director of misery and woe at the atlas coal mine national historic site. 

The Atlas Coal Mine is expecting record crowds for the ninth annual Haunted Atlas Coal Mine.

    The theme for the haunted atlas coal mine changes every year, so even if you have been before, it will be a new experience.
    For the first time ever, Little Boo will include an option of going underground. Little Boo is not as scary as Big Boo, but victims can venture as far as they can up the tunnel, or skip it altogether. 
    Because of access issues, the underground component is not part of Big Boo.
    This popular event saw  over 1,800 victims and 184 volunteers during the  2011, fourshow run. Cold weather pared down the crowds in 2012.
    Families come from all over Alberta to attend Big Boo and Little Boo.
    “This year we expect record crowds on the  second weekend.  We suggest that anyone who can attend the first weekend, do so.  Lineups will be shorter and weather is likely to be milder,” said Eddy.
    The Haunted Atlas Coal Mine is an annual fun(d)rasing event for the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site. Revenue generated supports building restoration at the nationally designated, locally operated site.  Between May and Thanksgiving, Atlas provides thrilling underground Tunnel Tours, narrow gauge Train Tours, Tipple Tours, and Ghost Walks.
    This year Big Boo, for brave  mortals is on Oct 19  and  26, 7 to 9 p.m. Little Boo for timid souls is October 20  and 27, from 2 to 4 p.m.


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