Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze' is Coming

Just when you thought Croton-on-Hudson's "Blaze" couldn't get any better, they have topped themselves, once again. This year's "Blaze" will feature a new attraction called "Little Monsters."

The display will feature carved Halloween icons, such as Frankenstein and Dracula, with big heads and tiny two-foot-tall bodies. But that's just the beginning of the new attractions for 2012.

"We have a number of new and exciting installations this year that will bring movement to "Blaze," such as 10-foot-tall working 'jack o'lanterns-in-the-box,' floating pumpkin ghosts, and a 19th-century grandfather 'doomsday' clock, a cheeky reference to the Mayan prediction that the world will end in 2012," said Historic Hudson Valley's Director of Public Relations Rob Schweitzer.

"The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze" is home to more than 5,000 illuminated and individually carved pumpkins. Last year more than 80,000 people flocked to Croton-on-Hudson to check out the Halloween spectacular. When people come this year, there will be some amazing, original ear candy.

"We are also extremely excited about "Blaze: The Soundtrack," more than 60 minutes of ethereal pumpkin viewing music created by professional musician, radio personality and Halloween fanatic Richard Christy," said Schweitzer.

The event is run by Historic Hudson Valley, which is a nonprofit education and preservation organization. The event began in 2005 when Historic Hudson Valley started looking for a new Halloween-related event to hold, as people already associated so called "Sleepy Hollow Country" with the beginnings of Halloween (as many associate Salem, MA with the holiday). From there, the organization started kicking around the idea of a display of jack-o-lanterns. The idea was then handed off to Historic Hudson Valley employee Michael Natiello, who still spearheads the displays to this day. But Natiello can't do it alone, as it takes a large number of volunteers to make the event happen.

"Blaze is truly a community event," said Schweitzer. "More than 1,000 volunteers help us throughout the course of its six-week run…. The proceeds from Blaze help us further our mission.

Here is a breakdown of all of Historic Hudson Valley's Halloween-related offerings courtesy of HHV:

For Blaze, Horseman’s Hollow, and Irving’s ‘Legend,’ admissions are by advance purchase timed ticket.

Blaze dates are Oct. 6-8, 12-14, 19-21, 25-31, Nov. 2-4, 9-11. The first reservation is 7 p.m. on Oct. 6-8 and 6:30 p.m. for the other dates. Tickets are $16 for adults ($20 on Saturdays), $12 for children 3-17 ($16 on Saturdays), and free for children under 3 and Historic Hudson Valley members.

Horseman’s Hollow dates are Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 19-21, and 25-28, with the first reservation at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 ($25 on Saturdays). Historic Hudson Valley members receive a $5 per ticket discount.

Irving’s ‘Legend’ dates are Oct. 6-8, 12-14, 19-21, and 26-28. Seating is very limited, and there are three performances each evening on the hour (four on Saturday), beginning at either 5pm or 6:15pm, depending on the evening. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for children under 18. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a $5 per ticket discount.

Legend Celebration dates are Oct. 6-8, 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28, from 10-4 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for children 3-17, and free for those under 3 and Historic Hudson Valley members.

Buy tickets online at www.hudsonvalley.org or by calling 914-366-6900 ($2 per ticket surcharge for phone orders).