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The Jack is Back at Roger Williams Park Zoo

October 23, 2014
For many, fall is now in full swing. The leaves are turning beautiful hues of orange, red and yellow, the weather is cooling, and people are already gearing up for Halloween. October is an especially exciting month at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, because it marks the return of the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, the Zoo’s largest fundraiser, running this year from October 2nd through November 2nd. Thousands of illuminated pumpkins line the Zoo’s picturesque Wetlands Trail, with over 125 carved into intricate designs by the dedicated workers at Passion for Pumpkins – the founders and creators of the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular.  

This year’s theme is “Jack-O-Lanterns A to Z.” Scenes filled with intricate pumpkin art are arrayed in alphabetical order, with highlights from history and popular culture. For example, “D” is for dinosaur, “F” is for fantasy, “J” is for jungle, “T” is for famous thinkers, and another section honors inspirational figures such as Princess Diana and Nelson Mandela.

The show culminates with the grand finale, the Laughing Tree. Hundreds of glowing jack-o-lanterns on the ground and high up in the trees surround carved giants (well over 1,000 pounds) amid spooky fog and music, punctuated by its iconic catchy beat and laughter.

Another fall favorite, Spooky Zoo, is also back for daytime fall fun this year. On October 25th and 26th, children age 12 and under who go to the Zoo in costume get half priced admission. Families can also enjoy trick-or-treating, music, costumed characters, games, creepy crawly animal encounters, pumpkin treats for the animals, and more – all free with Zoo admission.

Zoo hours: 10am – 4pm from October – March. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Hours: 6 – 11pm, with last admission at 10pm. On Saturdays, admission is extended one hour, with the last admission at 11pm, and the trail closing at 12am.

Get details on specific dates, prices, and more at www.rwpzoo.org.

Roger Williams Park Zoo is a Macaroni Kid Cranston/Kent County sponsor.