Blaze Long Island returns to Old Bethpage Village Restoration for its 5th anniversary
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, Nassau County’s largest family-friendly Halloween event, will light up Old Bethpage Village Restoration this season from Friday, October 4, through Sunday, November 3.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Blaze: Long Island promises to dazzle spectators with over 7,000 artisan-carved jack o’lanterns, including replicas of the Montauk Point Lighthouse and Lady Liberty, a pumpkin circus, a tribute to first responders, and a “Long Island Hall of Fame,” which features intricate pumpkin sculptures of Billy Joel, Joan Jett, Sue Bird, Dr. J, Jerry Seinfeld and Natalie Portman.
Blaze, which is developed and produced by Historic Hudson Valley, was first introduced at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. in 2005 and has since become a beloved annual tradition for families across the tri-state area and beyond, attracting nearly 2 million visitors to date.
Under the guidance of creative director Michael Natiello, the immersive experience — a half-mile loop displaying intricate pumpkin sculptures carved by local artisans enhanced with synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack — has captured the imaginations of countless Long Islanders and has been featured on HGTV, The Today Show, and other national broadcasts.
New attractions for this year include a Day of the Dead jack o’lantern tribute, a working Ferris wheel pumpkin sculpture, and an elaborate Celebration Arch, which will feature custom-carved pumpkins that guests can reserve in advance. The event will also feature live, nightly pumpkin carving by Blaze’s expert team of artisans.
The “Blaze Boo-tique” will be selling seasonal gifts and fun merchandise, and Café Blaze, an on-site café, will feature fall treats like cider donuts and pumpkin beer.
Tickets for Blaze: Long Island are $32, with a flat rate admission of $10 for children ages 3 to 17. Guests ages 2 and under are free. With limited capacity, entry is available only through advance online purchase of timed tickets or FLEX anytime tickets; no tickets are sold at the venue. The event will take place rain or shine.
Proceeds from ticket purchases support the preservation of Old Bethpage Village Restoration and the educational programming of Historic Hudson Valley. For tickets and event dates, visit www.pumpkinblaze.org.
