The 7th annual Haunted Atlas Coal Mine will run the last two weekends of October.
    Big Boo runs Saturday evenings, and Little Boo runs Sunday afternoons.
    “Big Boo is scarier, and we don’t recommend it for children under 9,” says Kelly Eddy, event organizer.   “At Big Boo, visitors walk around the Atlas Coal Mine, in and out of buildings, with just their flashlight for illumination. Everything is that much more frightening in the dark, and the ghouls are creepier. Little Boo is for younger children, but also for adults who want a lighter scare.”
    Going into its 7th year, the Haunted Atlas Coal Mine is attracting visitors from a wide area. In 2010,  more than a third of the “victims” came from out of town, and this year that percentage is expected to grow. “This event is unique in the province, and well, the Atlas is just plain scary after dark,” explains Linda Digby, Executive Director. “Add to that the fact that we are actually a haunted historic site, and it becomes that much more fascinating.”
    “Every year is different, and some years are scarier than others.  There is no way to avoid that, not every year can be the scariest! We think this year will be quite spooky,” said Eddy. “For one thing, we will include the tipple again.  Last year, this iconic building was undergoing restoration and wasn’t available.”
    This event is a fundraiser for the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site. This year, the organizers of the very spooky Sunbeam Haunted House, near Morrin, are adding their devious tricks to the Haunted Atlas Coal Mine.
    “Their building was not available this year, and these volunteers needed an outlet to practice their dark art.  We are delighted to work with them this year,” said Eddy.
    More special guests are Guns of the Golden West, who will make visitors dance at Big Boo.
    Kelly suggests people consider attending the first weekend, when lineups are shorter, and the temperature is usually milder.

    The Drumheller Corn Maze, located near Horseshoe Canyon by Beynon Corner, was the victim of vandalism and theft sometime during the night of Friday, October 14.
    “When I got in to work the next day, the lock on the storage bin was beaten up, and the cash register was broken open,” said Claudia Denomtigny of the Corn Maze. “They also spray painted a smiley face on one of the signs.”
    The thieves stole approximately $100 from the register.
     The employees at the Corn Maze are frustrated and worried over the recent break in.
    “I was going to bring my daughter to work today, but I’m glad I didn’t,” said Denomtigny. “I don’t feel safe here alone.”
    RCMP are continuing to investigate. If anyone has any information in regards to the theft, they are asked to call Crime Stoppers or the Drumheller RCMP.
    For now, the Corn Maze is getting ready for their haunted maze. During the evenings leading up to Halloween, the maze will be transformed with eerie sounds and ghoulish characters prowling the labyrinthine corridors.