The Magic of Carving Thousands of Jack-O’-Lanterns
For all of us mere mortals, successfully carving one jack-o’-lantern—even if it features a wobbly smile and a too-small nose—is a feat to pull off each Halloween season. But for the autumnal gods and goddesses who preside over The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, carving thousands of jack-o’-lanterns is a must.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Seasonal Splendor
Michael Natiello, the creative director for The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, delights in the process. He sat down with Time Out New York while carving a jack-o’-lantern, of course, to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the seasonal splendor that’s become a beloved tradition for many New Yorkers.
A Year-Long Process
For Natiello and his team of artists, the work actually begins months before fun-size candy bars go on sale and giant Jack Skellingtons decorate stores. All year, they brainstorm, plan, and design, coming up with imaginative new pumpkin creations. Natiello draws on his passion for historical illustration to come up with displays rooted in the past, a fitting tribute considering Blaze is a production of Historic Hudson Valley.
A Tradition of Pumpkin Carving
Natiello grew up in New Jersey carving more traditional jack-o’-lanterns as a kid, but he was entranced by the incredible jack-o’-lantern artistry he saw Martha Stewart create on TV. He’s always loved Halloween, with its feeling of "escaping from reality"—and now he’s made it a successful career.
A Team of Expert Carvers
Natiello hires over a dozen carvers to tackle the Herculean task of carving thousands of pumpkins to make Blaze possible. Each year, he looks for people with skills like engineering abilities. For the past two decades, Natiello has been taking on this challenging job year after year.
Tips from the Pro
If you feel inspired to make your own artistic pumpkin creation this year, Natiello offers a few tricks of the trade.
- Pick carefully: Choose a pumpkin that’s dark orange with a thick stem. You want something heavy, which indicates that it likely has thick walls. Think about what you want to create, too. For a Frankenstein pumpkin, a squarish shape would be perfect.
- To scoop the seeds, try a spoon or an ice cream scoop.
- Sketch out your design first with a Sharpie. You can wipe off the marks when you’re all done.
- When carving, don’t try to push the thing you carved into the pumpkin. Instead, push it out from the inside.
- During your carving process, be sure to start in the center and work your way out for stability.
- To light it up, use an electric candle instead of a real one. It’s safer and some even offer changing light colors.
- Keep it cool. When your jack-o’-lantern is not on display, keep it somewhere cool, so it stays as fresh as possible.
Conclusion
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is a testament to the power of creativity, artistry, and community. With its incredible lighting, audio, and art, it’s an experience unlike any other. So, take a trip to Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County or Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, Long Island, and immerse yourself in the magic of the season.
FAQs
Q: What is The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze?
A: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is an annual event produced by Historic Hudson Valley that features thousands of intricately carved pumpkins, incredible lighting, and audio, all set amidst a 35-acre corn maze.
Q: Where can I find The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze?
A: The event runs at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County from September 13 through November 17, and at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, Long Island from October 4 through November 3.
Q: How much do tickets cost?
A: Adult tickets start at $20.
Q: What’s the best way to light up my jack-o’-lantern?
A: Use an electric candle instead of a real one. It’s safer and some even offer changing light colors.
