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    The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is a popular choice for families in Louisville who are looking for a Halloween-related event to attend. Back for its second year, the trails are set to glow each night for the next few weeks at Iroquois Park, the event’s venue.

    So many designs, so many designers! I would have loved to sit down and talked with some of the artists who put so much time and effort into the designs of these 5000+ pumpkins for the Spectacular. The show winds through Iroquois Park in complete pitch dark, and begins with some pretty fascinating pumpkins and some eerie sounds coming from the dark. That was the only part of the show that gave a little bit of a spook; it is completely family-friendly in my opinion. Event goers will transcend through time at the park, seeing everything from 1776, the birth of the nation and The Art of Democracy to the Industrial Revolution to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Travel back in time through all of America’s great decades, from the roaring 20s to Y2K. Some focal points of pumpkin spectacle that stood out to me artistically were the rendering of the Titanic, the tribute to 9/11 and the Statue of Liberty and World Trade Center, Darth Vader, and the Christmas scene. It will delight everyone.


    My party and I attended the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular during a week day, and it was still pretty crowded. Bank on the fact that Louisville has seen all of this rain this past week, and the forecast calls for highs in the 60s and sunny skies for the next six days, which could predict the weekend to be an even fuller house. Opening night saw huge crowds, and I expect this weekend to be pretty busy. Remember, the event goes until November 2, which is plenty of time to see the jack-o-lanterns before Halloween on October 31.


    It takes about 45 minutes to walk the ¼ mile path through Iroquois Park, and as you wind around the trails you will be immersed into an artistic display unlike any other you will see. Thursday, the Facebook page of Louisville Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular announced that Country Living Magazine compiled a list of the top 15 Halloween events in the country, and this event ranked #1. It’s also included in Louisville.com’s Top 10 Halloween Hit List of events for Louisville. I highly recommend you go stick this on your Halloween bucket list-you will not want to miss it!

    Individual tickets to the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular may be purchased online, at www.iroquoisamphitheater.com, by phone at 877-987-6487, or in person at Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office, which opens at 4:00pm nightly. The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular runs from dusk to 11pm each night until November 2. The doors open at 6pm; show begins approximately at 7pm.


    Ticket information:

    For Sunday – Thursday, ticket prices are as follows:

    $12 Adults
    $10 Seniors, 62+
    $9 Children 3-12

    For Friday – Saturday, ticket prices are as follows:

    $15 Adults
    $13 Seniors, 62+
    $12 Children 3-12

    For ticket information, click here. All proceeds from the show benefit the Louisville Metro Parks Foundation & Kosair Charities.

    Connect with Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular on FacebookTwitterInstagram; use the hashtags #502pumpkins and #jackolanternspectacular

    Iroquois Park and Amphitheater is located at 1080 Amphitheater Road off of New Cut Road, 40214.

    Click here for directions.

    Photo credit: Mary Slinger

    Erin Nevitt's picture

    About Erin Nevitt

    Longtime Louisvillian, I am a children's librarian at heart and have a passion for children's lit. I am most recently a stay-at-home mom who is always on the move, searching for family fun in Louisville. If it's free, it's preferable!

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