CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - I can’t get enough of spooky season.
Being married to a fellow “Halloween junkie” is very helpful, and throughout October I take in as many haunted houses and scary movies as possible.
Admittedly, one of our area’s biggest attractions had eluded me for the better part of a decade. It had been almost 10 years since I had been to the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson.
I remember being impressed by the attraction way back when, but I honestly wasn’t prepared for what organizers referred to as a “completely reimagined” experience. Accompanied by my wife and parents on the Blaze’s special Media Night, we were ready to take the spooky stroll once more.
If you’ve seen one pumpkin you’ve seen them all, right? Wrong.
Try 7,000 pumpkins.
From the moment we entered the glowing trail at Van Cortlandt Manor, it felt like stepping into another world. Flickering and grinning faces surround you from the onset, and there are endless details in the lovingly crafted pumpkins to find.
There were intricate carvings of mythological monsters and dinosaurs, New York landmarks, a hillside Wizard of Oz scene, and even classic video game icons brought to life in orange light.
We made a pit stop at the Headless Horseman’s Hideaway for a glass of cider and a quick photo with the guest of honor. Because why work in local news if you can’t get a family photo with a headless ghoul?
The Blaze is a perfect spot to spend a crisp fall evening and ideal for kickstarting any lacking spooky season enthusiasm. Regardless of age, it seemed like every visitor couldn’t help but sport their own jack-o-lantern grin at the sights unfolding before them.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze runs every night through the end of October, as well as Nov. 1-2, 7-9, 14-16.
For tickets and more information about other spooky offerings in the area, visit www.hudsonvalley.org.
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