9/25/12: Roger Willaims Zoo Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

School hast begun, fall has started and it is now the end of September and I am excited for Halloween.  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  Candy, costumes, trick or treating, creepy ghouls and so much fun!  I wanted to share with you a wonderful event we attended last year and plan to attend again this year, the Roger Williams Zoo Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. My pictures don't do this event justice, but it will give you a feel for the intricate carving that is done on these pumpkins.  There are more than 5,00!  You can go here to see more pictures.

More specifics:
Event Dates:  Thursday, October 4 - Saturday, November 3
Event Hours:  6 – 11 pm, with the last admission at 10 pm.
NEW extended hours on Saturdays and Sunday, October 7:  6pm-midnight, last admission at 11 pm.
Event prices:  Monday -Thursday nights:   adults $12, seniors (62+) $10, children age 3-12 $9, under 3 free.
Friday through Sunday nights:   adults $15, seniors (62+) $13, children age 3-12 $12, under 3 free.
Special savings for RWP Zoo members 7 days a week:$2 off adult and $1 off senior and child tickets upon presentation of RWP Zoo membership card and a photo ID.  

I would recommend getting there early if you go on a Friday or Saturday night or better yet go to the Harvest Buffet at 5 pm and get VIP entry to the Spectacular.  You can find more information here on the Harvest Buffet which includes a delicious dinner before the Spectacular scenery! Tickets can be purchased during regular Zoo hours (9 am – 3:30 pm, for use that same evening), or between 5 and 7 p.m. at Zoo admissions.
Prices:
Monday - Thursday: $35.95 adults; $34.95 seniors (62+); $21.95 children ages 3 - 12
Friday – Sunday:  $39.95adults; $37.95seniors (62+); $24.95 children ages 3 - 12
Children under 3 are admitted free.

The gates open at 6 to buy tickets and then you go in to the Zoo and follow ropes to where the display is (across from the Giraffes).  They say lines can get up to 2 hours at 6 pm and a lady in line told us the line was out to the street when she went before.  Here are some of our favorites.  Or course Lauren loved Tinker Bell.

  Frankenstein was wicked cool.

Cool display. 

 Evan's favorite of course was Lightening McQueen from Cars!

 Amazing!

 Asia

 I loved this one, Chevy Chase from European Vacation.

 There was even snow coming down in the North Pole Area complete with Christmas trees and a Pumpkin carved like Santa!  The kids loved this area.

 You can watch this video to learn more about the carving of the pumpkins from GoProvidence.com

Here is The Tree.  It is truly amazing to look at.  Those are all carved pumpkins going up.

 Check them out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pumpkin-Show/143830685658132
http://www.facebook.com/RWPZoo

 What an amazing display.  I can't wait to go this year.

Disclosure: I was provided tickets to the Harvest Buffet for my family and I in exchange for promotional review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.