11. The Classic Sleepy Hollow Scene
Pay homage to classic American gothic horror by bringing the legend of Sleepy Hollow to life in your front yard. The focal point of this display is the terrifying Headless Horseman. You can construct a life-sized horse silhouette out of black plywood or use a large, dark horse prop, and mount a headless rider clothed in a flowing black velvet cape on its back. In the rider’s outstretched hand, place a glowing, carved jack-o’-lantern with a menacing sneer, illuminated from within by a bright orange light to represent the horseman’s substitute head.
Surround the horse and rider with elements of an old New York forest. Scatter plenty of dry autumn leaves across the lawn, stack gnarled tree branches to create a dense thicket, and place a weathered wooden signpost pointing toward “Sleepy Hollow Cemetery” and “The Covered Bridge.” Keep the lighting dim and moody, using soft white spotlights to highlight the silhouette of the horseman against a dark background. A steady stream of fog rolling through the dry leaves will evoke the chilly, damp autumn nights of the legendary Hudson Valley.