When I first heard the idea of a Stonehenge-inspired Blaze display, I couldn't help but think of the ill-fated results of Nigel Tufnel's napkin rendering and David St. Hubbins' lambasting response to his band's manager post-concert:

I, for one, do not think the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem may have been that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being crushed by a dwarf.

So, when I first saw it glowing there Saturday night I could hardly believe my eyes. The towering Pumpkinhenge has to be among the Blaze gurus' greatest creation. Too bad a tiny online pic doesn't really do it justice. You just have to see this monumental cathedral of carvings in person.

Way to go gurus! You do the druids proud...

OK, it's t-minus and about three hours as I type this and I can barely contain myself. Blaze, opening night, perfect weather, tonight...and yes, it's SOLD OUT, but if you desperately wanted to go this opening weekend, there are tickets for tomorrow still available, so don't fret.

Now, I'm wondering who is going tonight and are you filming for the YouTube contest and most of all, I want to hear what you think of the new displays. Post your comments HERE when you get home.

And remember to say hi to the snakes.

Right now Van Cortlandt Manor is a swirling orange beehive of carving activity. Pumpkins are being eviserated by the dozens. The carvers are showing absoltutely no mercy. Tom Hunt, resident VCM blacksmith by day and carving fiend and pumpkin chandelier genius by...well, day, also I guess, sent along these snapshots. Don't worry, we'll be learning the stories behind all of these folks in our upcoming Meet the Carvers series.

And yes, that's Vern down there on the right.

With Saturday's opening night shadow looming like that of the Great Pumpkin over Linus, the Blaze team is beating frantic double time down the set up home stretch.

What would a large visitor tent *slash* Café Blaze *slash* Blaze shop *slash* carving station be without a lot of hay? Much less interesting, clearly, so this week, the Blaze gurus imported bales upon bales of the straw stuff to give the tent that fall festive mood.