Host Hotel Booking Link Now Available
Host hotel with group booking rate:
The Park Hotel at Meadowlands
Two Meadowlands Plaza
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Phone: (201) 896-0500
Check in as early as Tuesday, October 7 and check out as late as Tuesday, October 14. For shorter reservations, just adjust the dates at the top of the page.
$179 per night includes parking
Link expires Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at 5PM EDT
Pumpkin Sculptors Return for ProgStock 2025
These pumpkin displays are unlike anything you’re likely see anywhere else. Each display is sculpted while you watch and is weirdly beautiful as well as whimsical. Deane Arnold is one of the most popular and influential pumpkin artists in the world. He appears as a judge on Food Network’s Outrageous Pumpkins television show, where he also works behind the camera as the pumpkin carving and photography consultant.
Deane pushes the limits of pumpkin-themed Halloween events each year. He collaborates with a variety of elite artists, and every season has seen significant leaps forward in creative innovation. His students include many Halloween Wars and Outrageous Pumpkins competitors.
Deane’s Team for ProgStock 2025
Sarah Blostein will be returning for her third ProgStock. Sarah is a Toronto-based special effects artist and the 2024 Halloween Wars All-Star Champion. Sarah is a festival favorite, and really made an impression the year she carved a pumpkin likeness of Michael Sadler.
Dmitry Klimenko will make his first ProgStock appearance. Dmitry is an internationally known sculptor who creates jaw dropping sand and ice sculptures all over the world.
Anthony Pater is a 2023 Halloween Wars veteran and animator. He first gained national attention during college, when he would leave his carved pumpkins all over the Edinboro University campus at night.
New This Year
Pumpkin Carving Workshop
Saturday, October 11 at 2:30pm – Bob Moog Foundation Plaza
raindate: Sunday, October 12 at 2:30pm
This year, Deane is planning on teaching a pumpkin carving workshop for beginners. Details and registration link:
https://pumpkinstuff.com/product/progstock-pumpkin-carving-class/
Mike Keneally to Tour in October Starting at ProgStock 2025

Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins are headed out on tour with support from Dave Bainbridge & Sally Minnear and Matt Dorsey.
Tour Dates:
- ProgStock Festival in Rutherford, NJ on October 9-12, 2025
- The Cutting Room, NYC, October 14, 2025
- The Allen Theater, Annville, PA, October 15, 2025
- Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, OH, October 16, 2025
- Sweetwater Performance Theater, Fort Wayne, IN, October 17, 2025
- Reggie’s, Chicago, IL, October 18, 2025
Find more information and ticket links here: http://www.acrmanagement.com/mike-keneally-beer-for-dolphins-october-2025-tour/
Derek Shulman Brings His New Book, “Giant Steps” to ProgStock 2025

Derek Shulman, Gentle Giant frontman and record industry executive, will be releasing his new book, Giant Steps: My Improbable Journey from Stage Lights to Executive Heights, co-written by US music writer Jon Wiederhorn with a forward by Tony Visconti, through Jawbone on October 7, 2025. Learn more in this recent article in Prog Magazine.
The timing couldn’t be better with ProgStock starting on October 9!
On Saturday, October 11, and Sunday, October 12, both at 10AM ET, Larry Fast will be hosting an interview and Q&A with Derek Shulman.
The Saturday session is for our 5-year Patrons and Prog-Ducers. Prog-Ducer passes are already SOLD OUT. You can still become a 5-year Patron by purchasing a new Patron Pass or by upgrading your ProgStock 2025 3-Day Pass.
The Sunday session will go on sale this Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 12PM ET. Tickets are only $10 and books will be available at the festival for purchase, so you can get them autographed!
Announcing serengazer for ProgStock 2025!
serengazer is a new musical project featuring Michael Sadler (SAGA), Paul Bielatowicz (Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy, Neal Morse Band), Matt Dorsey (Sound of Contact, Dave Kerzner), Jimmy Keegan (Spock’s Beard, Pattern-Seeking Animals), and rising talent Seren Sadler. Together, they’re crafting a fresh progressive sound which they’re eager to debut at ProgStock 2025!
We’re down to the last 10 Prog-Ducer passes, so don’t be late!
Read more in our latest newsletter…
https://mailchi.mp/d17398d29441/progstock2025-serengazer
Exhibitor Spotlight
Highlighting all of the amazing exhibitors and speakers coming to ProgStock this year, in addition to all of the great musicians that will rock our stage.
In no particular order (ok, alphabetical):
- ACR Management
- Kevin J. Anderson, science-fiction author
- Deane Arnold (& team), pumpkin sculptor
- The Bandwagon USA (artist merchandise)
- Michael Bennett (of ProgDay), fine artist
- Bob Moog Foundation featuring Robeone
- EMEAPP (Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project)
- Victoria Flowers, fine artist
- The Gagliarchives Radio
- Armando Gallo, Music Photographer & Journalist
- Annie Haslam, Intuitive Abstract Expressionist
- House of Prog Radio
- Melodic Revolution Records
- ProgRock.com
- Derek Shulman (Gentle Giant), author
- Thid (by Matt Dorsey), co-host
NEW EXHIBITOR ANNOUNCED!
Famed Science Fiction Author of Dune, Star Trek, Clockwork Angels and Terra Incognita
Kevin J. Anderson is coming to ProgStock!

SPECIAL GUEST
Derek Shulman (of Gentle Giant) is coming to ProgStock!
Derek Shulman, Gentle Giant frontman and record industry executive, will be releasing his new book, Giant Steps: My Improbable Journey from Stage Lights to Executive Heights, co-written by US music writer Jon Wiederhorn with a forward by Tony Visconti, through Jawbone on October 7, 2025. Learn more in this recent article in Prog Magazine.

On Friday, October 10, at 1PM ET, and Sunday, October 12, at 10AM ET, Larry Fast will be hosting an interview and Q&A with Derek Shulman. The Saturday session is for our 5-year Patrons and Prog-Ducers. Prog-Ducer passes are already SOLD OUT. You can still become a 5-year Patron by purchasing a new Patron Pass or by upgrading your ProgStock 2025 3-Day Pass.
The Sunday session is on sale now in our box office! Tickets are only $10 and books will be available at the festival for purchase, so you can get them autographed!

SPECIAL GUEST
Consummate Rock-n-Roll Journalist and Photographer, Armando Gallo, is coming to ProgStock!

On Friday, October 10, at 1PM ET and Sunday, October 12, at 2:30PM ET, Larry Fast will be hosting an interview and Q&A with Armando Gallo – the consummate rock-and-roll journalist and photographer. The Friday session is for our 5-year Patrons and Prog-Ducers. Prog-Ducer passes are already SOLD OUT. You can still become a 5-year Patron by purchasing a new Patron Pass or by upgrading your ProgStock 2025 3-Day Pass.
The Sunday session is free on a first-come-first-seated basis in our Spring Hall theater, Armando will be with us all weekend with his photographs available at the festival for purchase, so you can get them autographed!
FINE ARTISTS returning for ProgStock 2025
- Annie Haslam
- Michael Bennett
- Victoria Flowers
We will also have Patrick Moraz’s prints and CDs available at the ProgStock Merch Table.

PUMPKIN SCULPTING
Deane Arnold is back with a whole team of pumpkin sculptors!

Saturday, October 11 at 2:30pm – Bob Moog Foundation Plaza
(raindate: Sunday, October 12 at 2:30pm)
https://pumpkinstuff.com/product/progstock-pumpkin-carving-class/
Sign up now! (so Deane knows how many pumpkins to bring)

Introducing Thid and Thid’s Garden
Thid, a universal explorer from Zanthar, had a five-year assignment on Earth studying The Humans. Without a doubt, The Humans are the most fascinating, creative, and bizarre creatures Thid has ever encountered. He’s especially captivated by the countless ways they’ve invented to entertain themselves!
Thid is on a mission to recreate some of his favorite Earth experiences—through sports, playing games, and goofing off. His other great earth discoveries—music, pepperoni pizza, and marijuana—are all central to his ongoing adventures.
Thid will be sharing his love of marijuana with us at ProgStock 2025 in Thid’s Garden, an outdoor space set aside for watching Thid videos, partaking in the herb, and otherwise socializing.
Thid will also be holding a daily “Thid hunt,” where the first person to locate Thid in the theater each day will win a prize.
Learn more about Thid on his YouTube channel and subscribe to stay up-to-date on Thid’s adventures.
Prog-Ducer Passes, Pre-festival Event Tickets and Festival T-shirts On Sale April 13 at Noon EDT
Save the date!
On Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 12PM EDT…
Prog-Ducer passes, Pre-festival event tickets and festival t-shirts will go on sale for ProgStock 2025!
Prog-Ducer passes are limited to 100, so get yours before they are all gone!
Want to secure your favorite seat before the rush?
5-year Patron passes are available NOW!
Prog-Ducer passes include:
-
Reserved Seating for Friday, October 10 thru Sunday, October 12
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Exclusive access to Friday and Saturday Special Events (TBA)
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Early access to the lobby each day (30 minutes before regular attendees)
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Priority access to artist meet-and-greets each day (after 5-Year Patrons)
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An exclusive ProgStock 2025 Prog-Ducer Wristband (wear it proudly!)
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ProgStock 2025 Glass
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Festival Poster, Wristband, and Program (contains autograph pages!)
No other passes include the t-shirt, so pre-order yours starting April 13!
Save the Date: October 9-12, 2025
Save The Date!
ProgStock 2025 is
October 10-12, 2025
Pre-show: October 9, 2025
Williams Center, Rutherford, NJ