As you can probably imagine, the Blaze bees are in serious overdrive mode this week, buzzing around the hive that is Van Cortlandt Manor, with the event kicking off THIS Friday. Lots to do, of course, and lots getting done. Below: a smattering of images to further whet your pumpkin appetite.

Clockwise from top left you're seeing the outer bounds of what is in the process of becoming an elaborate labyrinth (or maze, not sure yet. And the difference is what, exactly?). Visitors who remember this area from last year can see from this image that it's going to be nearly three times as big. Next, boxes upon boxes of pumpkins from Wallkill View Farm just waiting to be carved. Then you see a pile of wrought iron stakes from which candle lanterns are hung throughout the property. (Atmospherics...oh yeah.) And finally, a finished pumpkin chandelier, complete with "wax" drippings, for the entrance tent. Those are going to be outta sight!

Many of you have asked about the carvers whose magical fingers make The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze such a satisfying spectacle. To that end, I dug out my trusty reporter's notebook and went behind the scenes to dig up some info on the folks behind the knives. The Blaze Blog's new series, Meet the Carvers, begins today with Blaze Creative Director and head carver Michael Natiello.

BB: What's your day job?
MN: Professional coffee drinker.

BB: What kind of carvings are you working on for Blaze 2007?
MN: Top secret experimental kind.

BB: Are you working on any other Blaze-related items?
MN: I'm currently working with a lighting designer (Jay Woods) and musicians (Jim Keyes and Cosmic Moth) to create new special effects and a new musical score for the event. 

BB: What are your preferred carving tools and methods?
MN: For tools, I prefer a cordless drill, woodworking routers, a utility knife, a "leatherman," and linoleum block cutters. My preferred method? Carefully.

BB: Got any carving tips for a novice?
MN: Carve quickly but carefully

BB: What's your favorite pumpkin-based food?
MN: Pizza.
BB: Ewww...
MN: Sorry.

BB: What's your favorite Halloween movie?
MN: Frank Zappa's Baby Snakes.

BB: Toasted pumpkin seeds: Salt or no salt?
MN: Sea salt, preferably from the Dead Sea.

BB: What makes pumpkins so special?
MN: Their native spirit.

BB: If I were a carved pumpkin, I'd be...
MN: Composted.

BB: Thank you, Michael!

You may have noticed our site was down completely this morning. The culprit apparently was MSN.com, which is currently featuring Legend Weekend on its travel section. I think it was also on the MSN home page for a bit which led to...well, let's just say, more than a few interested Halloween-minded surfers coming our way.

Check out the article by clicking here.