Historic Hudson Valley President Waddell Stillman Salutes Release of Jack O’Lantern Stamps At Blaze’s’ Opening Ceremony

On Sept. 29, 2016, Historic Hudson Valley began its twelfth season for The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze with an opening ceremony. On the same day, the United States Postal Service introduced four “forever” non-denominated stamps (equivalent to 47 cents each) bearing photographs of jack-o-lanterns. The press run was 50 million stamps.

In the opening ceremony, Historic Hudson Valley President Waddell W. Stillman saluted both events and set the attendance goal for this year’s Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson at 150,000 visitors. Last year, attendance for the Blaze topped 130,000.

Following Stillman’s address, David Rockefeller led an assembly of press, government and post office officials, and other distinguished visitors on the first tour of the 7,000 carved jack-o’-lantern themed show.

The son of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., David Rockefeller celebrated his 101th birthday on June 12 of this year. He is a resident of Sleepy Hollow.

Historic Hudson Valley was created by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1951. A not-for-profit organization, it was founded to preserve the history, culture, character and traditions of the Hudson Valley region.

Stillman has been the president of Historic Hudson Valley for 17 years. He is a former chairman of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. He served as Historic Hudson Valley's Chief Operating Officer and CFO prior to his appointment as president.

The jack-o’-lanterns pictured on the stamps were carved by Paul Montanari and photographed by Sally Andersen-Bruce. The stamps were designed by Derry Noyes.

The stamps can be purchased on a double-sided sheet of 20 for $9.40 at the Blaze’s souvenir shop.

The U.S. Post Office previously honored Halloween and Sleepy Hollow Country on Oct. 10, 1974 when it released a 10-cent stamp honoring Washington Irving’s story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

The dates available for visiting the Blaze are Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Oct. 7-10, Oct. 13-16, Oct. 19-31, Nov. 3-6, and Nov. 10-13. The show is conducted on evenings only, rain or shine.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.hudsonvalley.org or by calling 914-366-6900 (there is a $2 per ticket surcharge for phone orders and for tickets purchased onsite, if available). Online tickets costs are $20 for adults ($25 on Saturdays), $16 for children 3-17 ($20 on Saturdays), and free for children under 3 and Historic Hudson Valley members.

Van Cortlandt Manor is located at 525 South Riverside Avenue, just off Route 9 in Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, NY, www.hudsonvalley.org., 914-366-6900.

Photo: Historic Hudson Valley President Waddell W. Stillman. PHOTO BY JERRY EIMBINDER