Photo courtesy of David Albaugh
A simply perfect autumn evening takes place each October at the
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Rhode Island. Over 5,000 small and large-sized pumpkins are intricately carved by skillful artists and illuminated to the delight of 80,000 annual visitors.
This year’s celebration is back at
Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, which is my favorite venue. The quarter-mile trail is flat and wide, so it is perfect for those with little ones in strollers. With themed music playing over the speakers, hot cider in hand and the park a-glow, this event makes for an unforgettable night.
This year’s theme is a “Journey Around the World.” Famous people, animals and landmarks from different countries such as Germany, Australia and the United States are highlighted in the pumpkin carvings. Included are scenes from the Seven Wonders of the World like the Sphinx, the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal as well as a trip to the Great White North complete with falling “snow.”
It takes a quarter of a million pounds of pumpkins and more than 30 jack-o-lantern artists to create this large display. Pumpkins are set on the ground, in tree branches and are seemingly a-float in the large pond. Non-flash photography is allowed, so be sure to bring your camera to capture these hand-chiseled beauties. My favorite is the big daddy pumpkin that weighs almost 1600 pounds!
I’m always intrigued at how they are able to preserve these mini-masterpieces. I recently learned that after the inside seeds are taken out, they soak each gourd in a mixture of diluted bleach that acts as a fungicide to extend its shelf life. If any pumpkin begins to spoil, the artists are quick to replace it with a freshly-carved one. So, it doesn’t matter what time you decide to go to the celebration— the display will always look fresh and full.
The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is open nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (trail closes at 11 p.m.) from October 6th- 31st. The event is typically less crowded Monday through Wednesdays or after 8 p.m. on weekends.
Show your AAA membership card and save $2 on an adult ticket and $1 off tickets for children ages 3 to 12. Children ages 3 and younger admitted free of charge.
