Pandemic, US election brew an extra-spooky Halloween

Croton-on-Hudson is a quaint village an hour north of New York City that has thrived thanks to a spooky tale written some 200 years ago. The town is still holding its annual Halloween bash this year - with the US election and the coronavirus pandemic lending an extra dose of chills.

The October 31 holiday is an industry of its own in this picturesque corner of the Hudson River Valley. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world venture there seeking the spirit of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," an 1820 story by Washington Irving about a headless horseman who haunts a superstitious schoolteacher.

But the coronavirus has killed more than 226,000 people in the United States and is still sweeping the nation. It's forced the cancellation of many Halloween events and haunted house attractions, where maniacal clowns and monsters terrorize visitors in the dark.

Still, Croton-on-Hudson is clinging to its major "Jack O'Lantern Blaze," where more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins come to life for a sound and light show in the gardens of the historic Van Cortlandt mansion.

Organizers have reduced capacity by 33 percent, and aren't selling food or drinks. But visitors, many in costume, can still stand in awe of the pumpkins, which morph into everything from a huge Statue of Liberty to a planetarium and a carousel with skeleton horses.

Not to mention a Museum of Pumpkin Art (MoPA), which features Edvard Munch's "The Scream" along with the Mona Lisa and a Banksy.

The fete usually draws more than 100,000 visitors and boosts area businesses. But this year, tourism is scaled back and most of it is local.

The Headless Horseman's image appears on sculptures and even ambulances, while fire trucks and street signs are orange and black.

Halloween decorations are seen on display during the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson.

Halloween decorations are seen on display during the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York on October 22, 2020, featuring over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins set against the mysterious backdrop of Van Cortlandt Manor’s 17th-century buildings and riverside landscape. - Croton-on-Hudson, a quaint village an hour north of New York that's thrived thanks to a tale written some 200 years ago, is holding its annual Halloween bash -- with the election and the pandemic lending an extra dose of chills. The October 31st holiday is an industry of its own in this picturesque corner of the Hudson River Valley. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world venture there seeking the spirit of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", an 1820 story by Washington Irving about a headless horseman who haunts a superstitious schoolteacher. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Falling days before a polarizing vote between the Republican president Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden, there is a strong electoral undercurrent this Halloween.

"You know what's scarier than Halloween? People not voting!" said Dana Nessel, the attorney general of Michigan, in a Twitter video where she sports a skull mask.

Halloween decorations on display during the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson.

Halloween decorations are seen on display during the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York on October 22, 2020, featuring over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins set against the mysterious backdrop of Van Cortlandt Manor’s 17th-century buildings and riverside landscape. - Croton-on-Hudson, a quaint village an hour north of New York that's thrived thanks to a tale written some 200 years ago, is holding its annual Halloween bash -- with the election and the pandemic lending an extra dose of chills. The October 31st holiday is an industry of its own in this picturesque corner of the Hudson River Valley. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world venture there seeking the spirit of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", an 1820 story by Washington Irving about a headless horseman who haunts a superstitious schoolteacher. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Halloween decorations are seen on display during the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York on October 22, 2020, featuring over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins set against the mysterious backdrop of Van Cortlandt Manor’s 17th-century buildings and riverside landscape. - Croton-on-Hudson, a quaint village an hour north of New York that's thrived thanks to a tale written some 200 years ago, is holding its annual Halloween bash -- with the election and the pandemic lending an extra dose of chills. The October 31st holiday is an industry of its own in this picturesque corner of the Hudson River Valley. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world venture there seeking the spirit of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", an 1820 story by Washington Irving about a headless horseman who haunts a superstitious schoolteacher. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Halloween decorations are seen on display during the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York on October 22, 2020, featuring over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins set against the mysterious backdrop of Van Cortlandt Manor’s 17th-century buildings and riverside landscape. - Croton-on-Hudson, a quaint village an hour north of New York that's thrived thanks to a tale written some 200 years ago, is holding its annual Halloween bash -- with the election and the pandemic lending an extra dose of chills. The October 31st holiday is an industry of its own in this picturesque corner of the Hudson River Valley. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world venture there seeking the spirit of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", an 1820 story by Washington Irving about a headless horseman who haunts a superstitious schoolteacher. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Halloween decorations are seen on display during the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York on October 22, 2020, featuring over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins set against the mysterious backdrop of Van Cortlandt Manor’s 17th-century buildings and riverside landscape. - Croton-on-Hudson, a quaint village an hour north of New York that's thrived thanks to a tale written some 200 years ago, is holding its annual Halloween bash -- with the election and the pandemic lending an extra dose of chills. The October 31st holiday is an industry of its own in this picturesque corner of the Hudson River Valley. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world venture there seeking the spirit of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", an 1820 story by Washington Irving about a headless horseman who haunts a superstitious schoolteacher. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Halloween decorations are seen on display during the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York on October 22, 2020, featuring over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins set against the mysterious backdrop of Van Cortlandt Manor’s 17th-century buildings and riverside landscape. - Croton-on-Hudson, a quaint village an hour north of New York that's thrived thanks to a tale written some 200 years ago, is holding its annual Halloween bash -- with the election and the pandemic lending an extra dose of chills. The October 31st holiday is an industry of its own in this picturesque corner of the Hudson River Valley. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world venture there seeking the spirit of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", an 1820 story by Washington Irving about a headless horseman who haunts a superstitious schoolteacher. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

In New York, the annual Halloween parade that attracts some 60,000 people is being replaced with a virtual puppet show, performed by unemployed Broadway artists.

Halloween decorations are seen on display during the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, New York on October 22, 2020, featuring over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins set against the mysterious backdrop of Van Cortlandt Manor’s 17th-century buildings and riverside landscape. - Croton-on-Hudson, a quaint village an hour north of New York that's thrived thanks to a tale written some 200 years ago, is holding its annual Halloween bash -- with the election and the pandemic lending an extra dose of chills. The October 31st holiday is an industry of its own in this picturesque corner of the Hudson River Valley. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world venture there seeking the spirit of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", an 1820 story by Washington Irving about a headless horseman who haunts a superstitious schoolteacher. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

But Croton-on-Hudson is keeping its goblin parade, said its mayor Brian Pugh. "Seven months into the pandemic, the emotional toll of social distancing is draining many people's spirits," he said.

"I hope that residents will take advantage of these opportunities to safely celebrate and enjoy a Halloween that's spooky but safe."