The Halloween spirit is already going strong at the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, a sprawling display of pumpkin art on the grounds of the Van Cortlandt Manor in Cronton-On-Hudson. Featuring dragons, dinosaurs, ghouls, witches, spiders, and many skeletons all hand-carved out of pumpkins, the amazing display has been drawing sell-out crowds since it opened late last month.
Roughly 10,000 pumpkins are used throughout this year's event, which boasts a new "Pumpkin Zee Bridge" cantilever walkway and a "Planetarium" featuring glittering constellations that move throughout a ceiling of—you guessed it—pumpkins. The fixtures were designed by The Blaze's creative director Michael Natiello Michael and built with the help of a team of Historic Hudson Valley artists, taking inspiration from the works of artists like Michael Heizer, Robert Smithson, Donald Judd, and Andy Goldsworthy. Work began during the summer months, and the show has turned out better than ever.
Each evening, before guests arrive, roughly 30 volunteers take three hours to light each pumpkin's candle. Walking through the show takes roughly 45 minutes, and along the way you'll be treated to a spooky soundtrack played through speakers on the Manor's grounds (you'll also be treated to many, many, many Snapchat selfie-takers). An easy train ride on the Hudson Metro North line out of Grand Central or Harlem, the show is both light-hearted and artistically mesmerizing.
The display will be up and running through November 13th, and only a few tickets remain. Get yours fast!
