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.

    The Drumheller Terrapins peewee football team ended their season last Thursday at home versus Strathmore.
    The Terrapins were in tough, but played hard, and under the lights of DVSS Field, scored their first touchdown.
    Coach Cory Miles said the team ran a wedge formation, (Which the Terrapins have dubbed a “turtle shell”) and Braden Mazereeuw punched it in for six points.
    “The whole field went crazy,” said coach Miles with a grin.
    The final score was 66-6, but it was a great way to cap off the season. Originally the Terrapins were slated to play Saturday, but with a few injuries and a short bench, they decided to finish off their first season.
    Coach Miles said it was a fun season of learning for the players and coaching staff, and they saw great improvements.
    Next year they are confident they will be in a league rather than scheduling exhibition games.