Every fall the woods of Tarrytown, New York, light up with Jack-O’Lanterns during The Great Jack-O’Lantern Blaze.Tarrytown is about an hour from Bernardsville, a small town in the Hudson Valley. The town is steeped in history, with the home of Washington Irving, the author of the Headless Horseman, Kykuit – the Rockefeller estate, and The Union Church of Pocantico Hills where stained-glass windows display the works of Matisse and Chagall.

When the sun sets and darkness falls, deep in the woods a fiery blaze of hand-carved jack-o’lanterns can be seen as the Blaze begins. All ages can be amazed by the unbelievable carvings, such as fire-breathing dragons and zombies, a headless horseman, prehistoric dinosaurs, and famous city landmarks. One moment it’s like Jurassic Park with a giant tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops, and other dinosaurs towering above, and the next minute the Statue of Liberty holding her pumpkin torch illuminating the grounds and the Empire State Building. Each pumpkin is intricately carved and connected to other pumpkins to create a magnificent sculpture radiant with different colored lights within the jack-o’lanterns. The pumpkins are magical, having special effects and music inspired by their theme.

Leah Ennis ‘27 enjoyed the event of the Blaze saying, “The pumpkins were so cool and unique.” There are over a thousand pumpkins on the roughly 45-minute tour. While going through the trail, the Blaze provides a variety of fall treats. Whether it’s caramel apples, candy corn, popcorn, or hot chocolate, everyone can find something they like. Next to the food vendors, handheld orange, purple, and green glow pumpkins and wands can be purchased allowing guests to add to the luminescence.

The Blaze is worth the drive for the memories and experience. And don’t forget to take pictures of the amazing lights.