When it comes to Halloween, the Hudson Valley is kind of a big deal (cough, cough, Sleepy Hollow). So it’s hardly surprising that our region is host to a plethora of spooky events like the Headless Horse Hayrides in Ulster Park and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, to name only a few. This year, Rockland County gets in on the autumnal fun with a seasonal extravaganza like you’ve never seen before.
Dubbed Pumpkin World, the immersive experience touches down at Clover Stadium in Pomona at the end of September. The event, which runs through Halloween day, features more than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins in spooky scenes across the stadium. Attendees can walk along the illuminated trail as they take in the assorted displays of jack-o-lanterns that stack together to form everything from dinosaurs to sea creatures. During each visit, guests can also stop by Pumpkin Village, where seasonal snacks and festive activities await.
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“We are thrilled to have Pumpkin World here in Rockland County and thank Jack O’ Lantern Journey and Clover Stadium for hosting this great event,” enthuses Lucy Redzeposki, the director of Rockland County Economic Development and Tourism. “Fall is the perfect time of year to visit our beautiful county, and this family-fun event is sure to delight everyone who attends.”
What to expect at Pumpkin World
Pumpkin World comes to the Hudson Valley from Jack O’ Lantern Journey and Fever, the organization that crafted the magical Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience in Yorktown Heights last year. Guests can expect to traverse an illuminated Pumpkin Trail that spans approximately half a mile and takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to complete. From there, visitors may spend another 30 to 45 minutes or more at Pumpkin Village, where food and activities await.
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As for the pumpkins, the gourds featured within the experience are notable in and of themselves. Many are crafted from molded forever pumpkins right in the Jack O’ Lantern Journey studios in Peekskill to last for years to come. All of the pumpkins are hand-carved by local experts, and some real pumpkins can be found throughout the experience as well. (A number are even available for purchase at the pumpkin patch onsite.)
On top of that, Pumpkin World also features a Gourdies augmented reality scavenger hunt that invites participants to use their smartphones to find where the animated pumpkin characters are hiding.
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The details
Pumpkin World runs from September 29 through October 31 at Clover Stadium in Pomona. It is an outdoor experience, so visitors should plan to dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy footwear in case of uneven terrain. The event is family-friendly, so attendees of all ages are welcome to celebrate pumpkin season in Rockland County.
Tickets for the pumpkin extravaganza are available online and onsite during show hours (cashless purchase only) and include access to the Pumpkin Trail and Pumpkin Village. Multiple ticket options are available, including general admission, which is based on specific date and time entries; Flex, which can be used for any date or time; senior (65-plus), student, or military (with valid ID); and group bundle (minimum of five guests). Ticket prices begin at $22 per person, and admission is free for children under two. For families with young children, the Twilight tickets, which allow for early evening entrance to the exhibit, may be the perfect option so that everyone can have fun and still get to bed on time. Pumpkin World is wheelchair accessible, and parking is free.
To learn more about Pumpkin World or purchase tickets, visit the event’s website.
