2008 SPECIAL EVENTS AT HOWE CAVERNS

There’s always something special to do and to see at Howe Caverns,
a destination for family fun for generations.

During 2008, Howe Caverns has some very special events planned for everyone to enjoy.

Howe Caverns is located halfway between Albany and Cooperstown and is open all year, closing only for Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

For additional information about special events and overnight getaways, or for a virtual tour of the great cave, visit www.howecaverns.com or call 518-296-8900.

March
3/7
Lantern Tour Benefit
5:30 p.m.
We’re going under to raise funds for Marathon for a Better Life that helps Schoharie County residents with cancer.
Through May, Howe Caverns is offering special Lantern Tours one day of each month, with proceeds benefiting this charitable endeavor. Marathon for a Better Life assists Schoharie County cancer patients with mammograms; travel to and from treatments, wheelchair ramps and insurance. Also taking place on May 2.

April
4/4
Lantern Tour Benefit
Marathon for a Better Life
6:30 p.m.
For details, please see March 7.

4/19
Earth Day at Howe Caverns
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A family fun experience during school break. There is no better place on Earth to discover the wonders of the world beneath your feet. The Great Cave is open for Traditional Tours and regular admission prices apply. Plant some flower seeds. Try out the squeezebox to discover what caving in the wild is like. And, for the first 100 guests, there will be free baby trees. Special overnight packages are available.

4/25 & 4/26
‘Howe’ Sweet A Weekend
Celebrating the 43rd Annual Schoharie County Maple Festival
For a family fun adventure, plan to visit Howe Caverns and to enjoy the Maple Festival on this very special weekend. Maple Festival is an all day, free, family event on Saturday at the nearby Cobleskill Fairgrounds. The festival features a parade, crafters, rides, children’s entertainment, music, maple demonstrations and more. Pancakes with real New York State maple syrup are available all day. Just down the road from Howe Caverns, visit Maple Hill Farm with a free tour of their sap house. Watch the sap become syrup and sample some maple treats. A special overnight package at the Howe Caverns Motel includes a schedule of maple events, two adult tickets for a traditional caverns tour and maple treats in the room. Join us for this very sweet celebration in Schoharie County.

May
5/2
Lantern Tour Benefit
Marathon for a Better Life
6:30- p.m.
For details, please see April 4

5/10 & 11
Mother’s Day
Pamper Mom with a perfect weekend at the Howe Caverns Motel, with its spectacular views in a relaxing rural setting. A special overnight package includes a tour of the cave for Mom, flowers and a voucher for Mom to redeem for our homemade fudge, plus a 20% discount on Gift Shop items.

5/10
Howe’s Hill Challenge
Marathon for A Better Life
8 a.m.
This 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk challenges participants to walk or run downhill along the scenic road leading to Howe Caverns and then back up the hill, to raise funds for this organization that assists local cancer patients.

5/17 & 5/18
Discovery Days
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Special commemoration of the 166th anniversary of Lester Howe’s discovery of “The Great Wonder Down Under” and the reopening of the cave in 1929. Enjoy our expanded historic displays in the Visitors Center. Schoharie County residents are invited to take a Traditional Tour, free of charge (with proof of residency), to re-discover the wonders at Howe Caverns during Discovery Days.

5/23-5/26
Visit the Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology
12 Noon to 5 p.m.
The new Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology, just down the road from Howe Caverns, opens to visitors this weekend. See the restored site of one of Lester Howe’s great hotels. Views of the natural entrance to the cave are available at the museum site.

June
6/15
Cavalcade of Cars & Father’s Day Barbecue
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More than 100 antique and performance vehicles are expected at the 8th annual car show on the Howe Caverns Estate. Free. And, what could be better than to treat Dad to a great barbecue while he enjoys the car show. Overnight lodging packages available.

October
10/24
26th Annual Halloween at Howe Caverns
Ticket sales from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
This annual charity benefit takes visitors on a journey below the earth’s surface into the great “haunted cave” filled with monsters and giggles. 2008 proceeds benefit the Schoharie County ARC. $10/adult, $5/child 12 and younger. (Because this is a benefit, no coupons or discounts apply.)

November
11/8 & 9
Veterans Day Weekend
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A salute to past and present members of the U.S. Military and families of those on active duty. All current and past members of the Armed Forces and members of families who have someone on active duty will be admitted to tour the caverns for $5 by showing proof of service. All those who come in uniform will tour free. Special overnight lodging packages available.

11/28-30
Howe Helps Share the Bounty
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Thanksgiving Weekend, visitors to Howe Caverns receive $2 off an admission ticket for a Traditional caverns’ tour with each donation of a canned food item given to help restock Schoharie County food pantries. Canned items only, please.

December
12/13 & 14
Crafts & Carols Weekend
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Howe Caverns hosts the happiest of holiday happenings, featuring unique crafts produced by local artisans, music by local choral groups and much more. Overnight packages available.


PLEASE NOTE: Howe Caverns is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

The second most-visited natural attraction in New York State, Howe Caverns is located off Exit 22 of I-88, between Albany and Cooperstown. Howe Caverns opens daily at 9 a.m. and is closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
For further information about Howe Caverns, call 518-296-8900 or visit www.howecaverns.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Kathy Condon * Condon Communications
PH: 518-436-1103 * FAX: 518-436-7346
E-MAIL: kcondon@howecaverns.com