#halloween

The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze returns!

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Rising up from the grounds of a historic Hudson Valley mansion is a Halloween display that transports you into a magical world. Your walk through the grounds is filled with the artistry of over 7000 carved pumpkins that have been curated into a fantasy of light and sound.

The ultimate fall experience in the Hudson Valley has returned.  The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze kicks off the fall season and runs through November  16th.   A great event for all ages. 

Located on the grounds of an 18th-century estate on the banks of the Croton River in Westchester, Van Cortlandt Manor is perfect setting this popular event.  Enter through an arched gate of lit and carved pumpkins along dark paths lit with.  The mood has been set for an event like no other.

Artists have been at hard at work carving lanterns thousands of pumpkins and transforming this historic site into a magical Halloween world.  Guests will marvel at the pumpkin lit tunnel, the bridges, and other features such as the giant spider web and the smoke bellowing dragon, all crafted with lit Jack O’ Lanterns.

Visitors will enjoy a dazzling display of, flowers, fish, Celtic designs, traditional jack O’ Lanterns, The Headless Horseman, ghosts, scarecrows, dinosaurs, and so much more.

The Ferris wheel, the carnival side show and the Day of The Dead have all returned and the carrousel is truly an inspiring spectacle.  As you wind toward the end you come to the manor house itself which puts on a dazzling light display

New this year you can go over the rainbow with the massive new, WICKEDLY fun emerald-hued storybook pumpkin dreamscape

Stop by the Headless Horsemen Hideaway for spooky sips and haunting visits from the Horseman himself.  Great photo ops!

Returning Favorites fall-themed sweets and snacks at the courtyard snack stand .And of course the Blaze gift shop to find exclusive souvenirs and local finds.

Stop by and see the Headless Horseman himself and enjoy a cocktail.

This is the perfect event to celebrate the fall season right in the Hudson Valley!

. Proceeds from your ticket purchase support the education and preservation efforts of Historic Hudson Valley.

For tickets and more information: https://pumpkinblaze.org/blaze-hudson-valley.html

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Hearts of the Hollow, a new musical based on the Legend of Sleepy Hollow now on stage in Carmel

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A new musical has opened right here in the Hudson Valley.  Hearts of the Hollow is a musical adaptation of the classic short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” written by Washington Irving.  Irving was one of America’s first well known authors and was a  resident of Tarrytown, New York.

Set in the early 1800’s in the rolling farmlands around Tarrytown, the famous tale involves a Hessian soldier who was killed during  the Revolutionary war, and his head was separated from his corpse.  The Headless Horseman as he is known terrorizes the countryside and its residents searching for his lost head.

The residents of the area live in fear of the mysterious horseman.  But life in the Hollow goes on with crops to harvest, school to teach, and of course romance. 

Hearts of the Hollow is a two act, 20 song musical with music and lyrics by Patricia White, and score by Mo Khoder.  Patricia White also wrote the play and served as producer.  She was inspired by a live reading of the story and thought it would make a fine musical.  She was correct.

All the main characters from the original tale are here as well as some new characters.   The story mixes they mystery and spookiness of the original tale and adds the lightness of romance, and learning to follow your heart. 

The cast includes Yasmin Ranz-Lind as Katrina Van Tassel, Wayne Hu as her father, Justin Witwick  as Ichabod Crane, DaShaun Williams as Brom Bones, as well as 9 other actors.  The crafting of the tale goes from the macabre to the lighthearted, and the songs are crafted to fit the mood. You will be alarmed when the Headless Horseman himself finally enters the theater and surprises the audience. Such fun!

Part of the magic of the show is the use of a projection screen as the background which changes the setting to farmland, to house interiors, to even a fog filled forest.  It was very effective.  The cast also moves down the center aisle of the theater bringing the action into the audience. The songs included “City Life” which the audience was singing and humming outside at intermission. The finale which included the whole ensemble, “Looking up” wowed the audience into a standing ovation.

The venue is inside the Whipple-Feely Chapel in Carmel, a 19th century church and is the perfect stage for this production. This is just the right play to get you in the Halloween spirit!

This special seasonal event takes place in Carmel, NY at the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park inside the historical Whipple-Feely Chapel.  Shows run every weekend from September 9 to October 31, 2022.  Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm.  On Monday, October 31, there will be a special Halloween performance at 8 pm. Arrive in costume on Halloween to be eligible to win a prize!  

Hearts of the Hollow takes place at The Whipple-Feeley Chapel located at The Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park

201 Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel, NY 10512

Dates: Every weekend from September 9 – October 31, 2022

For tickets and information, please visit: https://www.heartsofthehollow.com/

Director: Jennifer Sandella

Choreographer: Paul Aguirre

Book: Patricia White, Mo Khoder

Music & Lyrics: Mo Khoder, Patricia White

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