Come behold the best pumpkin patch you will probably ever see in your entire life! In New York, Van Cortlandt Manor in historic Hudson Valley and Old Bethpage Village in Long Island feature 7,000+ illuminated pumpkins at each site to present the most impressive and unique displays. The event is known as the Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze, and it's definitely a fall festival you'll want to visit with the whole family.
The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze?
The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze is a Halloween event unlike any other, complete with synchronized lighting to an original soundtrack. The thousands of illuminated pumpkins take pumpkin art to the next level, forming the most fun and fascinating ignited structures along the New York City streetscape for all to see. The hand-carved gourds bring all sorts of formations to life including a carousel, pumpkin zee bridge, Statue of Liberty, sea monster, spider web, sea serpent, windmill, an 80-foot circus train, and more.
Museum of Pumpkin Art (MoPA)
The event also highlights other installments such as the Museum of Pumpkin Art (MoPA) and the Pumpkin Planetarium. The Museum of Pumpkin Art is inspired by some of the most legendary art pieces of all time, including the Mona Lisa, the Scream, and Andy Warhols' Campbell's Soup Cans- but made of lit pumpkins! The Pumpkin Planetarium boasts "stargazing" opportunities within, where visitors will get to see flying ghosts and enjoy a special appearance made by Sleepy Hollow's Headless Horseman.
How to Visit
Despite COVID-19 cancelling many other festivals around the country, the Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze returns in 2021 for its 17th year, but with limited capacity and regulated social distancing. All visitors must adhere to the COVID-19 courtesy code, meaning if you're still unvaccinated you must wear a mask at all times and if you're vaccinated, you still must wear a mask when indoors.
Held by Pumpkin Blaze, this festival not only has two locations, but also a range of times to go visit, rain or shine! The Blaze: Hudson Valley show is at the Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson and can be visited between September 17-November 21, 2021. The Blaze: Long Island show is at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration and can be visited between September 22-November 7, 2021.
Both shows offer either FLEX or timed tickets, which allow you to choose between becoming a member or just visiting for the given 45 minutes you're allotted. If you're planning this experience for the first time, just visit the website of the location you prefer to go to and book a time slot for you and your family to visit. Tickets and time slots go fast, so make sure you grab yours before they run out!
Have you ever experienced the Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze? Share your adventure with us on our Wide Open Roads Facebook!
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