LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Dozens of Louisville artists have spent weeks working on thousands of pumpkins ahead of the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular, a fall tradition in Iroquois Park that kicks off Tuesday.

The detail on the pumpkins is incredible, making the event a must-see for many Louisville-area residents every October. On some pumpkins, what looks like a photograph is actually a mix of drawing and carving, artists working on their displays up to seven hours per day.

"The level of the carving gets better every year," said Brook Pardue with the Parks Alliance of Louisville. "... They all have their own techniques."

Jack O'Lantern Spectacular

Pumpkins carved for the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular. Oct. 2, 2023. (WDRB Photo)

This will mark the 11th year for the event in Louisville, which runs Oct. 3-31. Unless there is severe weather, it will be held rain or shine along a quarter-mile trail of more than 5,000 carved pumpkins.

"The shallowness that we use — the light coming from behind — there is nothing like that," said Alene Day, the manager of the studio where much of the work happens. "And we're working on a living piece of fruit. ... That is pretty incredible as well."

This year’s theme is Wanderlust, focusing on travel. It's not about the destination so much as the journey, pumpkins depicting animals from Africa, characters from movies and science fiction.

"From the production side they are always trying to top the year before, and from the operations side we are always doing that, too," Pardue said.

Last year, more than 100,000 people attended the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular, it's biggest year ever. Like in years past, there will be a special section dedicated to those we lost this year, including Bob Barker, Tina Turner and former University of Louisville men's basketball coach Denny Crum.

"We're trying to make it very portrait-style and really seeing the eyes of these wonderful faces from around the world," Day said.

As soon as a pumpkin is done, out to the trail it goes with three rotations over the next month to make sure they stay fresh. The carving room open 24 hours a day for artists to work on any projects, especially ones with extra detail.

"We are constantly messaging the operations of the event to ensure — even as we get bigger — it is still a wonderful experience for all of our guests," Pardue said.

On opening night, Tuesday, Oct. 3, during The Pre-Lit Bash presented by Heaven Hill, guests can enjoy cocktails and food before going on the trail. And a Sensory Night presented by PNC Bank will be on Monday, Oct. 25 with gates opening at 6 p.m. For one hour, pumpkins will be lit with music playing low and no special effects.

Guests will enter the Iroquois Amphitheater for one-hour tour time slots on the pumpkin trail. Sundays through Thursdays, the last tour departs at 9:30 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays, the last tour is at 10:30 p.m.

Organizers said they "strongly recommend" buying tickets in advance, as they expect some nights to sell out, especially on weekends. Prices range from $20 for adults and $12 for children. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Group tickets are also available.

Money from ticket sales goes to Parks Alliance of Louisville, which supports more than 100 public parks.

"We like to tell people that this isn't just an amazing family-friendly thing to do, but you can feel good when you come here, too, because you are investing back into our public parks," Pardue said.

For more information about the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular, click here. To purchase tickets, click here.

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