5,000 artistically carved pumpkins to light walking trail
Louisville, KY., – In what has become the must-see event of the Halloween season, the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular is returning for the fourth consecutive year to south Louisville’s Iroquois Park, where 5,000 artistically carved pumpkins will greet visitors from Oct. 13 through Nov. 6. The pumpkins will illuminate a 1/3-mile trail adjacent to the Iroquois Amphitheater, and Metro Parks officials estimate up to 90,000 people will visit.
The trail is open from dusk until 11 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets range from $9 to $15, with discounts for seniors and children 12 and under. Proceeds from the event benefit the Louisville Parks Foundation.
The wooded trail begins just outside of Iroquois Amphitheater (1080 Amphitheater Road, Louisville, KY 40214) and weaves its way through the trees with themed vignettes set to music. The carved, lit pumpkins rotate on a weekly basis, creating a different experience each weekend.
The event is held rain or shine. Coach drop-off and on-site parking is available.
Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular is produced by Louisville Metro Parks and the Louisville Parks Foundation in conjunction with Passion for Pumpkins, a multimedia production company with more than 25 years’ experience in redefining fall by transforming any landscape into an illuminated organic gallery.
This year’s sponsors include Papa John’s, Delta Dental, WellCare, LG & E, Republic Bank, Wendy’s, KFC, Muhammad Ali Center, Kentucky Select Realtors and Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana.
TICKET INFORMATION Sunday – Thursday Adults $12, Seniors (62+) $10 and Children (3-12) $9
Friday – Saturday Adults $15, Seniors (62+) $13 and Children (3-12) $12
Individual tickets may be purchased in advance for specific nights at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office or online at www.jackolanternlouisville.com. Visitors are also encouraged to use the hashtag #502Pumpkins on social media to share images or experiences they enjoy while touring the show.
Tickets for groups of 25 or more can be purchased in advance by calling 502/368-5063, or in person at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office between 9 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, and Saturdays from 12 – 4 p.m. The Ticket booths will open at 5 p.m. beginning October 13.
Group tickets are discounted at $10 Sunday through Thursday and $12 on Friday and Saturday.
The event is held rain or shine. No refunds will be given, but advanced purchased tickets may be exchanged for another day.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS:
The Louisville Parks Foundation (LPF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which inspires donors to invest in our more than 120 public parks and recreational facilities – for present and future generations. LPF’s purpose is to identify, and strengthen financial support for park improvements and environmental improvement strategies through corporate, civic and citizen participation. This is accomplished by in-kind and financial gifts through memberships, grants, corporate sponsorships, wills, memorials and other contributions as identified by the foundation.
Passion for Pumpkins Inc. is a multimedia production company with more than 25 years’ experience in redefining fall by transforming any landscape into an illuminated organic gallery. Begun as a small family run event used to raise funds for the Oxford School department in Massachusetts, the founders of Passion for Pumpkins and their partners have produced “pumpkin shows” in New England that have been attended by over a million patrons.
Since 1968, the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (LCVB) primary goal has been to enhance the city and county’s economy through tourism development – to promote and sell Louisville as a destination for conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings and pleasure and business travel on a worldwide basis. The LCVB was one of the first Destination Marketing Organizations to become accredited in 2006, through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, an independent, international standards program developed by the Washington, D.C. based Destination Marketing Association International. Lonely Planet Guidebooks recognized Louisville as its top U.S. travel destination for 2013.