The Headless Horseman (All Photos By Gail)

With Halloween falling on a Tuesday this year, holiday enthusiasts were able to enjoy three solid days of spooky-themed parties and events, which were happening all over the city this past weekend. Halloween in New York City: there is really nothing like it. I’m not much for dressing up, but I do love a good adventure, and this year Geoffrey and I had the most fun ever, at the Night of 1,000 Jack O’Lanterns, which had a three-night run on Governor’s Island state park —  which is about 10 minutes by ferry from the southern tip of Manhattan. I’d never been there before, so I was pretty excited to see something new. Adventure time!

This is the view of the lower Manhattan skyline in the Financial District, as seen from the island. It is very breathtaking, as you can see. To give you a little background on the park, in 1776, during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), troops raised defensive works on the island, which they used to fire upon British ships before they were taken. From 1783 to 1966, the island was a US Army post, and later, from 1966 to 1996, the island served as a major US Coast Guard installation. There are historic buildings all over and at night it looks like you are wandering around one of those abandoned mental institutions where they do the ghost hunting shows. Very Scary!

The Jack O’ Lantern trail features more than 1,000 illuminated pumpkins, carved by artists from around the tri-state area, set along a festive, paved, tree-lined pathway among the backdrop of centuries-old buildings. The more ornately carved Jack O’ Lanterns are staged on raised pedestals, and the smaller pumpkins help to light the footpath. It looks pretty cool!

Please enjoy a selection of my favorite photos, which I have grouped together in categories, just because. Let’s get to the Pumpkins OK?

Monsters and Horror Movies and Halloween Iconography

Vincent Price as a Vampire

HP Lovecraft Creation, The Cthulhu

The Mummy

Werewolf

Freddy Krueger

Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride

Here on the left we have Its‘ Pennywise the Clown as portrayed by actor Bill Skarsgard, and I’m not sure what is on the right. What did not quite make it into the frame is one of the featured artists, who was talking to visitors about what tools he uses to carve the designs and that sort of thing. That was fun.

Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King

Here are some spooky trees that I am throwing in the mix as a palate cleanser.

Halloween’s Original Bad Boy, Michael Myers

Of course it wouldn’t be Halloween without some Day of the Dead Skull Action.

Fairy Tales and Kid-friendly Characters

The Wicked Queen, Snow White and The Poison Apple

Sleeping Beauty

Monsters Inc.

Celebrities and Pop Culture

Barbra Streisand

Game of Thrones

In Memorium

George Romero

Of course, it would not be as spooky and Halloween-themed if the Jack O’ Lanterns did not also pay tribute to recently departed celebrities. There were some really good ones!

Florence Henderson

Adam West as TV’s Batman

George Michael

Mother and Daughter Actresses Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher passed away just one apart in December of 2016. Unbelievably sad. This pumpkin was beautiful tribute to two very talented ladies.

While it’s too late for you to make it to this year’s walk, why not bookmark This Link right now, so you can be sure to not miss next year’s Night of 1,000 Jack O’Lanterns!

See You Next Year! Happy Halloween!

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Carved, Governor's Island, Halloween, Headless Horseman, Horror Movies, In Memorium, Jack O Lantern, Monsters, Night of 1000 Jack O'Lanterns, Pumpkins