It grew too big for that space and moved to Providence. In Oxford, he enlisted the help of residents in carving 185 jack- o’-lanterns and displaying them on a hill behind a local school. A resident of the town, Reckner got the idea for one after seeing a Vermont farm lined with glowing jack-o’-lanterns. Reckner held his first Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular in 1988 in the Worcester suburb of Oxford. Other pop culture figures include Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, John F. “I’m sending this one to my husband,” she said after photographing a pumpkin carved in the likeness of the cast of “Seinfeld.” “He loves that show,” she said.Įarlier along the path there was a glowing, orange Betty Boop, W.C Fields, Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein and the Three Stooges. 12 and it’s been around-the-clock since then.” Reckner said his crew of about 30 workers carved 10,000 pumpkins that rotate throughout the monthlong run of the event.Īs Auckly makes her way through the brightest pumpkin patch in New England, she stops to snap photos with her cell phone of the more elaborate designs. I’ve got 12 artists who do those intricate ones. “I just love to come here and see the smiles on people’s faces,” he said in front of DaVinci’s “Virgin on the Rocks.” These are done by a team of professional artists and they start working on them in September, said Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular founder John Reckner, while walking the trail on a recent evening. It’s clear: These are not the pumpkins carved by your 7-year-old that sit on your front steps. It’s so beautifully well done,” said Cynthia Auckly of Weymouth, visiting the Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular for the first time. Visitors also spend time in the Wild West with Billy the Kid and in the Renaissance era with DaVinci’s “Mona Lisa.” In addition to seeing traditional Halloween characters and scenes, visitors meet and hear the dinosaurs of the Jurassic era and pass through an African jungle lined with intricately carved lions and tigers. When people come out they tell me how unique and cool the experience was.” “It’s astonishing to see everything lit up like that. It’s artistic and it tells a story,” said Janet Mariani, director of marketing for the zoo. “There are a lot of pumpkin shows, but this is so original. Hanging from trees, arranged on the ground, the pumpkins dazzle against the background of theatrical lighting and a sound system pumps out period music such as Gene Autry singing “Back in the Saddle Again” and the Andrews Sisters belting out “Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy.” Along a paved path through the woods, you follow a timeline featuring legendary rock stars, classic movies, television sitcoms and historical figures from the 1920s through today. Proceeds from the Asian Lantern Spectacular support Roger Williams Park Zoo’s animal care, education programs and conservation initiatives.As the gates open, visitors pile in and head toward the 3-acre trail where more than 5,000 intricately carved and illuminated pumpkins are displayed. While guests have specific arrival windows, once checked in you are not on a time restriction and may stay for however long you wish until the event closes at 10:00 pm. The Asian Lantern Spectacular experience is RAIN or SHINE and all tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE ( unless there is a Zoo closure). The show which is produced by Hanart Culture will feature over 50 spectacular glowing lantern displays, kids interactive lantern area, savory Asian-inspired cuisine and drinks, hand-crafted keepsakes, and more! From dazzling and interactive displays to delicious Asian-inspired cuisine, this enchanting multicultural experience is sure to delight all ages! Journey through a wonderland of illuminated larger-than-life lanterns inspired by our wild world. Asian Lantern Spectacular will be held from April 15th to July 4th This extraordinary zoo-wide walk-through event is held Wednesday – Sunday evenings from 5:30 until 10:00 pm.
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