By Deb Kroon
Review Staff Writer
The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is in its second year at the Minnesota Zoo. Over 5000 illuminated pumpkins of different sizes, shapes and faces lined a path, from ground to tree top, at the zoo. Visitors of all ages completed the 45 minute walk, going on a “journey around the world.” No two pumpkins were alike, and the number of pumpkins was mind boggling.
For twenty-five years “Passion for Pumpkins,” a multi-media company from Massachusetts, founded by John Reckner, has designed the Spectacular. Artists from all over the United States join the company, designing and carving the pumpkins. Using ball point pens, oil based markers and paring knives, the exterior skins of the pumpkins are lightly carved, so that a light placed inside provides back-lighting for the designs. The pumpkins are continuously carved, re-carved and enhanced throughout the 33 nights of the spectacular. The carvers expect to go through 20,000 pumpkins during the event.
As you travel down the path, you enter different countries with pumpkins artistically drawn to depict places or events that represent each country. They are surrounded by a wide array of carved pumpkin faces of every size and design you could possibly dream up. Pumpkins weighing a couple of pounds to pumpkins that weigh over 2000 pounds grin and grimace at you from the ground, and the trees above you. You will find animals, people, cartoon characters, events, and movies, themes that will change from year to year.
This is truly a family event to be enjoyed by young and old alike. You didn’t even notice the October chill in the air. So make plans to dress warm and take the 45 minute hike through a wonderland of pumpkins in 2020. The event runs every night through October 31. The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is well worth a weekend in the Cities.
