Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Returns to McCoy Stadium
The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is poised to hit another home run for its second straight season at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island October 5th - October 30th, 2007.
An energetic team of 30 professional pumpkin carvers have been buring the midnight pumpkin candles for the last six weeks creating the pumpkin trail. The final display is an amazing show featuring special lighting, musical themes, and over 150,000 pounds of jack o’ lanterns carved with painstaking detail and amazing artistry.
Traditional halloween jack o’ lanterns will abound with several baseball inspired themes that’ll help bring the spectacular alive inside McCoy.
The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular was held at the Roger Williams Park Zoo from 2000-2004 and received rave reviews and national attention for its unique, family-friendly seasonal fun. I remember taking my family to see the show during this period and being completely awe-struck at the exhibition. It was a fun evening and I’ve rarely seen the kids so mezmerized by anything.
The Spectacular was founded in 1988 by John Reckner of Oxford, MA who was inspired after seeing a Vermont farm lined with glowing jack o’ lanterns. After various venues, including the zoo, it found a home at McCoy… and it feels right.
Show times are 6:00pm-11:00pm on Friday and Saturday evenings and from 6:00pm-10:00pm on Sunday through Thursday nights. And for Columbus Day weekend there’s a special late closing of 11:00pm on Sunday October 7th.
Tickets are priced at $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under three are free. Advance tickets are available on-line at www.pawsox.com or by calling the Pawsox Box Office at (401) 724-7300. Groups of 25 or more can call for special group rates. The web site also contains directions.
Even if you’re not into carving pumpkins yourself you’ll be absolutely dumfounded wondering how they manage to carve the intricate designs on this squash fruit.
For more ideas and excursions in the area visit my special Rhode Island destinations page by clicking here.
More seasonal events and destinations coming up in the next few days so be sure to return, or save your time and simply subscribe to my RSS feed.
Have a great fall weekend,
Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacation Guide
Tags: halloween, jack-o-lantern, mccoy stadium, pawtucket, pumpkins, rhode island
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I'm not sure we'll know the full story of why this popular fall festival keeps on being bounced around various ...
im disapointed its way to far to go on the last day its open from ri do u know if ...
I think its very sad that they moved the Pumpkin Spectacular to Connecticut! This would have been my grandsons first ...
I agree that Massachusetts truly is wonderful and has great attraction. I've also been to Springfield and love. One thing ...
I did visit that museum the last time I went to Massachusetts. Although there were a lot of things to ...
I had heard last years turn out at McCoy wasn't that great.. but @ $12 to just walk around and ...
Comment by Kathy on 14 July 2008:
Do you know the dates for 2008 jack-o-lantern spectacular?
Comment by Cliff Calderwood on 14 July 2008:
Somebody else asked me this. I don’t know if it will be coming back to McCoy Stadium in 2008. All I cna suggest is you keep visiting http://www.pawsox.com and look at events to see if it gets scheduled.
Cliff
Comment by Chris Loynd on 12 August 2008:
Kathy and Cliff –
The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is moving to nearby Norwalk, Connecticut. This year it will be hosted by The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: http://www.MaritimeAquarium.org. Details will be posted on our web site in a week or so. Dates are October 23 through November 2. We will be selling timed tickets, advance registration required.
John and Travis Reckner and the rest of their crew are very excited about the new venue. They will be serving up some of their favorites, as well as some new, water-inspired, themes.
Cliff, I will be sending out a news release soon and you are invited to the October 22nd press preview.
Kathy, if you want to make a weekend vacation of your visit, the Courtyard Marriott in Norwalk (800-647-7578) will be offering special packages. You will find South Norwalk, “SoNo,” a wonderful place to visit with lots of restaurant options and shopping. You might also enjoy a day visit to The Maritime Aquarium, Stepping Stones Museum for Children, the Lockwood-Matthews Mansion and more. We hope to see you in October!
Chris Loynd, Publicist, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
Comment by Cliff Calderwood on 12 August 2008:
Chris,
Thank you for this post and if you send me the press release I will add a new post to this blog for it.
Thank you,
Cliff
Comment by Pavel on 25 August 2008:
Good style. Added message about you on my site
Comment by Lisa on 29 September 2008:
I cannot believe that they moved the spectacular to Connecticut! Whey did they move it this year? I’ve been going to see it since it started at Roger Williams park and am so disappointed! I wanted to bring my 9 month old grandson but I am not willing to travel all the way to Norwalk to go see it. Oh well.
Comment by Cliff Calderwood on 1 October 2008:
I’m not sure why he festival has had difficulty finding a permanent home, whether it is logistics, personalities, or whatever. It does seem to be a popular event, but I can understand the reluctance to travel out to Norwalk if you live in central Massachusetts. It’s quite a hike round trip.
Chris did send me the promised press release and I will get an update posted to the blog this weekend.
Cliff
Comment by Jennifer on 4 October 2008:
Ya lisa Im disappointed myself. my son is 21 months and I brought him last year when he was 9 months old he loved it. Bringing him this year would have been so much fun now that hes talking. I was all excited to think the time will be coming soon and came on to find out the dates tonight. Its too bad because a lot of people I know were looking forward to it. I really hope they come back next year
Comment by Cliff Calderwood on 8 October 2008:
For those that find this post I’ve posted an update on information about this year’s Jack-O’Lantern Spectacular in Norwalk, Connecticut here.
Comment by Sue on 16 October 2008:
Wow, I was looking foward to the Jackolantern Spectacular here at Mccoy Stadium this year. I was going to bring a dozen friends. Its a bummer. Its too far too go with little one to Connecticut. I hope it will be back next year.
Sue in Fall River Ma.
Comment by Sarah on 22 October 2008:
Wow thats too bad, was going to bring some friends along and my boy that ive been seeing for a night of light and fun during the month of october, guess we’ll have to find something else to do now..maybe next year!
Comment by kassy on 25 October 2008:
I had heard last years turn out at McCoy wasn’t that great.. but @ $12 to just walk around and look at pumpkins I am not too surprised