Weekend Storm "Devastating" to Historic Hudson Valley

With the exception of those 50 Con Edison customers still awaiting the return of their power in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, this weekend’s surprise snowstorm is mostly behind us.

But Rob Schweitzer, Director of Public Relations for the nonprofit that operates so many sites in the area and creates so many thematic events for the season, is still reeling from the sorry fizzle of their biggest holiday.

“The weekend's weather was devastating for us," Schweitzer said. "We had to cancel our four big events – Blaze, Horseman's Hollow, Irving's 'Legend,' and Legend Celebration – both Saturday and Sunday, and the Blaze on Monday. In addition, Kykuit and Union Church tours were suspended. This put a real damper on what was otherwise a hugely successful season. It's bad for us and for our visitors, many of whom booked reservations for these events on this prime weekend well in advance." 

Those who did purchase tickets to all these cancelled events received an automatic refund, with no need to call or email. 

, Sleepy Hollow’s blockbuster event for the second year in a row, was slated to end on Oct. 30. Instead of screaming, the season ended in silence. “It is shut down for the season," Schweitzer said.

As with all affected Halloween events – the Tarrytown Parade, the Sleepy Hollow Hayride – there's no chance of rescheduling such a time-sensitive holiday. "We work with a lot of independent actors and production folks on that event and it would not have been feasible to add more nights," Schweitzer said.

There's the economic loss, of course, then there's just the disappointment after such effort and expectation. “Obviously it is a fiscal blow but it is also has a big emotional impact," Schweitzer said. "So many people put so much time and energy into creating magic in this area in October, not just us here at Historic Hudson Valley, but the folks at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the Villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, the Chamber of Commerce, all the businesses. It's disheartening to have a freak storm do such damage."

Good thing Halloween is not a one-day holiday around here. "Thankfully for us, the Halloween season began on Oct. 1, and we had many days and nights of joyous celebrations," Schweitzer said. "but still, to lose that weekend before Halloween really hurts.”