One of the perks to living in the Providence area in October is the Roger Williams Park Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular which is now running from October 4 through November 3. This popular display includes over 5000 hand-carved pumpkins. Appropriately themed music is played throughout the path and my favorite this year was Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
This year's theme is Pumpkinville, USA, representing the different regions and various eras and history of the country.
Pumpkins are freshly carved and replaced constantly throughout the month-long spectacular. We generally go twice each season and see same themed but slightly different carvings on each trip. Last admission is at 10pm during the week and 11pm on the weekends with the display closing an hour later. When the display opens at 6pm, there are generally long, intimidating lines which is why when we go as late as possible during the week. By 9:30, the younger kids are tucked in for school and the trail is not overly crowded. We tend to linger, taking photos and enjoying the music throughout the trail, so the less people, the better for us.
The finale is breathtaking. There are hundreds of small pumpkins hanging in the trees with huge lighted jack-o-lanterns on the ground. Don't Laugh, a mix of someone laughing to a fun, spooky beat plays in the background and smoke comes up during certain times in the song.
A tribute to those lost during the past year includes a carving of James Gandolfini and angels in memory of the children and teachers lost in Sandy Hook.
If traveling in the Rhode Island area, put this on your list of things to do. This is a definite must see!
What a cool place to visit, Judi! Love the pictures!
ReplyDeletethanks Marianne - It is really spectacular this year! They really outdid themselves. I read somewhere that this is rated one of the top dozen Halloween attractions in the country!
DeleteThose are amazing pieces of art. It would be fun to stroll through and see all the different creations. Nice night pictures too.
ReplyDeletethanks Dan - I love that they do this every year. This year's display was hands down the best they've done. They constantly change the pumpkins as they begin to rot, so while the theme is the same, you can go several times throughout the month and see different carvings. I try and go at least twice every year!
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