This Month’s Featured Article

Halloween is the second most celebrated event of the year. Here is one reason why.

From the witches, ghosts, and mummy costumes of yesteryear to the wildly popular demon hunters and Wicked-inspired costumes of last year, Halloween invites us to dress up and make believe. It’s all about transforming ourselves into someone else. We’re only limited by our imaginations. 

What one dinner led to

Michael Jubie, co-founder of Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions in Ulster Park, NY, a true Halloween destination, certainly knows a thing or two about the art of disguise. A retired detective, he worked as a mounted patrol commander for the Kingston, NY police department for 25 years. A self-described “Halloween enthusiast,” he found a perfect match in his wife, Nancy, a registered nurse who also has a passion for the macabre and horses. 

“I always loved Halloween. When I was a detective, I did a lot of disguise work. Some people shy away and don’t want to put on fake eyebrows and moustaches, but to me, it was part of doing a good job for the police department,” said Michael. 

Prior to launching Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions 35 years ago, Michael and Nancy ran a horse and carriage business for weddings, funerals, parties, and other occasions. 

“We were out to dinner one night with friends. The topic evolved from horse-drawn carriages to Halloween hayrides. The longer the dinner went on, the better the idea sounded,” said Michael. Soon after, he called a college friend who worked as a realtor and discovered that there was a 65-acre plot of land available in Ulster Park. 

The evolution

What began nearly four decades ago with one hayride attraction and 35 employees has evolved into an experience that includes 13 attractions and employs nearly 300 people. The list of jobs on the payroll ranges from actors and makeup artists to carpenters and landscapers. Staff work year-round to create the haunted event. 

The Headless Horseman’s annual award-winning haunted event draws scare enthusiasts from all over the Hudson Valley as well as five surrounding states and beyond. Its reach has even managed to cross oceans. “We just sold tickets in the UK and the Netherlands,” said Michael. 

Making headlines

The destination has received lots of accolades. America Haunts has named Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions one of the Best Haunted Houses in America. The Halloween destination has been featured on Good Morning America, TIME, and The Today Show. 

CNBC included the Hudson Valley locale on its short list of the seven scariest haunted houses in America. The Headless Horseman was also spotlighted on Nightline, The Travel Channel, and CBS Evening News, among other media outlets. 

The event is a Hudson Valley Magazine Best of Hudson Valley winner and was awarded a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award. 

“I received a call from the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce. They told me that a Chinese travel channel wanted to do a story on us. Although it was difficult navigating the time differences and language, it was a great experience,” said Michael. 

And the theme is…

This year’s theme: The Cursed Earth of Crow Hollow.

The 2026 season kicked off on September 26 and concludes on Halloween night. 

Every year, the theatrical Halloween production comes alive via elaborate costumes, professional makeup artists, engaging animations, intriguing illusions, and special effects, many created by American Made Monster Studios, which is Headless Horseman’s sister company.

“Many people from other haunted attractions tell us that they really enjoy seeing the monsters that nobody else has ever seen,” said Michael.

Reviews range from, “This is by far the best and most intense experience we have had. Next year we will plan an entire weekend around it” to “The best haunted attraction I’ve ever been to! The sets and animatronics were incredible, and the live actors did a great job.”

The Halloween journey begins on a haunted hayride that takes guests through 13 sets that span a one-mile course. “It’s like a traveling play. When you go to a Broadway show, the play unfolds in front of you. Here, you sit on a wagon, which takes you to 13 Hollywood quality sets and actors, ” said Michael. 

The Headless Horseman is the star of the show, along with a live black horse who charges the wagon. The grounds include Crow Hollow Village, walking trails, a two-acre corn maze, themed haunted houses, and magic show, as well as fire features and other illusions. 

The highly detailed, story-driven scenarios for 2026 include The Cursed Earth of Crow Hollow, Crow Hollow Candy Company, Skinner Motel, The Feeding, Mother’s Manor and more. Find out more about Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions at headlesshorseman.com.

Be forewarned

Due to the fright factor, this event is not recommended for children under the age of 13. One ticket –13 attractions. For ticket price information please see headlesshorseman.com/tickets.

Group discounts are only available for groups of 15 or more guests under one reservation on October 2, 9, 16, 18, and 30. Email info@headlesshorseman.com for information.

The beautiful setting includes The Horseman’s Tavern, which sells food as well as beer and wine. A donut shop, Deadly Donuts starts with 1,000 apple cider donuts ready to be enjoyed. There are several gift and food shops on the grounds, including The Chocolate Lab, Magic Moon Gift Shop, and Scare Wear, which sells t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats.

For children under 12 years old

Children’s Day – A Tiny Taste of Terror takes place on October 3 and October 17 (October 4 and 18 are rain dates). All the monsters are friendly on Children’s Day. There is the Magic Moon Maze, Haunted Gardens, Witch Hazel’s Halloween House, and The Dino Zone. Meet friendly characters such as Frankenstein and The Headless Horseman and his live horse. Music and other activities complete Children’s Day. 

For Children’s Day price information, please see headlesshorseman.com/tickets.

Winter Holiday Event – It’s more than lights

At the end of fright season, all 65 acres transform from scary to merry creating the holiday event, A Frosty Fest. Enjoy the drive-thru experience in the comfort of your own vehicle. Park and walk inside and meet Mr. & Mrs. Frosty, dance with the Gingerbread Man, and see other holiday characters. Frosty Fest is decorated with over one million holiday lights. 

Then there’s the Haunted Holiday Event. To bring you back to scary, they have a one-night haunted holiday event, Frostbite. •

Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions is located at 778 Broadway, Route 9W in Ulster Park, NY. Call (845) 339-2666, or for more information, email info@headlesshorseman.com or visit headlesshorseman.com.