The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

Gavin Gracey

杰克南瓜燈展是紐約都會區最大的南瓜燈展。這個盛大的南瓜燈展，是為了烘托萬圣節而舉辦的，但因為超大型的規模和總共7，000多盞精心雕刻的南瓜燈，這個燈展也被不少人視為藝術展。

Imagine walking through a number of 7,000 jack-o'-lanterns, all of them designed by talented and passionate artisans. Around every corner is a new jack-o'-lantern sculpture with synchronized （同步的） lighting and original music.

The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze is open to visitors on select nights through November 21 in New York's Hudson Valley. Held in Croton-on-Hudson, the autumn event is set on the grounds of a 17thcentury house, Van Cortlandt Manor, overlooking the Hudson River. Ticket sales benefit Historic Hudson Valley, a nonprofit education organization.

Many Halloween-themed activities can be scary. But the Blaze is unique because it appeals to even the youngest visitors. “The Blaze is a wonderful experience the entire family can enjoy,” says Tyler Rescigno, a marketing associate for Historic Hudson Valley. “These land art installations （設施）take place on the grounds of historic sites.” A second Blaze event is taking place in Old Bethpage,New York.

Families who visit will learn about the history and culture of the Hudson Valley. And the pumpkin displays are dazzling（光彩奪目的）. Some past favorites will be returning, including the “Pumpkin Planetarium” and a welcome flag in 48 languages. There are also some new displays this year, such as a New York City skyline scene.

Each year, the creative team, led by Michael Natiello, comes up with new jack-o'-lantern designs.The team starts its design planning for the following year as soon as the Blaze launches.

Sometimes, Natiello and his team create paper shapes that can be taped to the pumpkins. This makes it easier to carve the pumpkins. Each pumpkin can take from 20 minutes to an hour to carve,depending on the complexity of the design. “The team is always thinking of new ways to delight and inspire our visitors,” Rescigno says.