by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
Welcome once again to the best fall event coming back to Long Island, with even more Halloween fun! The event returns to Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage after a successful launch in 2020. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze® is bigger and better than ever before and features thousands of hand-carved jack O’Lantern lit up in elaborate displays throughout historic landscapes. Blaze Long Island will run for 36 nights and started September 22 through November 7. Visitors will see a brand-new 80-foot circus train and be enchanted by a new sea monster and more creatures from under the ocean. Also featured are illuminated, individually hand-carved jack o’ lanterns in more than two dozen elaborate displays professionally lit throughout the landscape of Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a historic site owned and operated by Nassau County, in various themed areas. Favorite installations appear along with site-specific displays including a sea monster and sea creatures, as well as a lighthouse, in a nod to the location’s proximity to the ocean. Creative Director Michael Natiello leads a small team of local artists who carve all the Jack O’Lanterns. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Shop offers a selection of Blaze-specific merchandise including T-shirts and hats.
Old Bethpage Village Restoration is at 1303 Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage. More information about Blaze: Long Island is available at pumpkinblaze.org
Old Bethpage Village Restoration is a living history museum owned and operated by Nassau County that provides guests the opportunity to step back in time to the island’s agrarian past. The Village consists of homes, barns and other buildings dating back to 1765. Costumed interpreters describe life as it was in the 19th century and historic trade smiths demonstrate various trades. Also on the grounds of Old Bethpage Village Restoration is a Co-Op Farm and farmers market, which brings organic and local food to Long Islanders and the Museum of American Armor which is home to armored vehicles dedicated to remembering our servicemen and women who have fought bravely for our country. Old Bethpage Village Restoration is also the home of the Long Island Fair. The health and safety of our visitors is their highest priority. The Blaze experiences are largely outdoors and touch-free, and capacity has been reduced to ensure social distancing. Visitors who are not vaccinated are required to wear masks at all times. Masks are not required for vaccinated visitors while on the grounds, but will be required when entering buildings at our sites, such as restrooms or shops. Visitors should consult hudsonvalley.org for our most current requirements. All events are held rain or shine.
These events have limited capacity and sell out. All admissions are by advance purchase only. To further reduce staff/visitor touchpoints, no tickets are sold on site even if not sold out. Blaze: Long Island dates are September 22-26; 29-October 3; October 6-11; 20-24; 27-31; November 3-7. Online tickets start at $32 for adults and $24 for children 3-17, and are free for children 2 and under. Buy tickets online at www.hudsonvalley.org or by calling 914-366-6900 ($2.50 per ticket surcharge for phone orders).
