by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
Having turned into an annual, must see Historic Hudson Valley’s holiday event, this year’s 20th anniversary of the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze has a host of new events and experiences! The same is true for the Long Island Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. The Westchester Blaze is running from September 13 through November 17, 2024 and is a fun evening for families with or without young children along. 
Visitors to Blaze can walk the immersive pumpkin trail on the grounds of an 18th century estate where over 7,000 Jack O’Lanterns, carved by a team of local artisans, light up the night. Along the walk on the grounds of Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, NY you can listen to an all-original soundtrack, enjoy synchronized lighting and special effects, which have to be seen to believe! The tour includes a brand new VIP experience, a speakeasy set in an 18th century inn, right on the pumpkin trail. It offers “gourdeous” decorations, libations, sweet and savory treats and is the perfect spot to enjoy a round of games with friends and family. 
Back on your walk, meet life sized dinosaurs and try not to get stuck in the 24 foot spider web, and then gaze at the stars in the Pumpkin Planetarium, which watching a working carousel. To highlight their 20th year, there is a giant birthday cake and celebration arch to mark the occasion. If you recall the childhood favorite tale by Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, your imagination of the eerie Headless Horseman comes to fruition when you catch a glimpse of him and hear the thundering gallop of his horse! One can easily understand how the gangly school teacher in the story, Ichabod Crane, was frightened hearing this in the dark of night! The walk through the Pumpkin Blaze is at your own pace and usually takes visitors about 30-45 minutes and there is still ample time to stop for fall themed sweets and snacks at Café Blaze or browse the Glaze Boo-tique for souvenirs and local finds. Reminder: Bundle up for the crisp night air and wear comfortable walking shoes. All proceeds from Blaze and other Halloween events support the programs of Historic Hudson Valley, a non-profit education organization. Directions GPS address: Van Cortlandt Manor 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 https://hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze/
Now in its fourth year, Historic Hudson Valley’s Old Bethpage Village Restoration (OBVR) will have its iconic Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze October 4 through November 3, 2024. Held on the 209 acre living museum village grounds in Nassau County, this is the home of Long Island’s top Halloween event! Visitors can stroll the pumpkin trail, past 19th century buildings, and through historic barns to find themselves immersed in a fall wonderland with more than 7,000 hand-carved Jack O’Lanterns. Like its Westchester location, the Historic Hudson Valley Bethpage Blaze will have an original soundtrack, synchronized lighting and special effects. New for 2024 is a chance to meet new local legends in the pumpkin L.I. Hall of Fame, Commemorate the Day of the Dead with a Jack O’Lantern tribute, watch pumpkin pals on a working Ferris wheel and gaze in wonder at the Pumpkin Planetarium! Don’t forget to stop by Café Blaze for cider donuts and pumpkin beer, then browse the Blaze Boo-tique for souvenirs and local delights. Proceeds from your ticket purchase support the education and preservation efforts of Old Bethpage Village Restoration.
These events have limited capacity and sell out. Admissions are by advance purchase timed ticket. Purchase at www.hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze/ or www.pumpkinblaze.org
