Louisville's Jack O' Lantern Spectacular returns to Iroquois Park for its 11th year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville's Jack O' Lantern Spectacular is back at Iroquois Park for its 11th year.

Thousands of uniquely-carved pumpkins return to Louisville's Iroquois Park for the annual Jack O'Lantern Spectacular from Oct. 3 through Halloween. The event will be held rain or shine unless there's severe weather.

Parks Alliance of Louisville CEO Brooke Pardue joined WDRB Mornings on Monday for a preview of the popular event.

This year's theme is: "Wanderlust. The World is Your Pumpkin."

2023 Jack O'Lantern Spectacular Wanderlust

"We have more than 5,000 pumpkins along the trail," Pardue said, carved and decorated by more than 30 local artists, "most of whom come back year after year. The thing that we've been able to see happen is that they continue to perfect their craft. ... Pumpkins are not a normal medium for most artists, but they've learned how to work with it. Some have made their own specific tools that they've learned really capture what they want. And every year the trail gets better and better."

"It is something that you really can't describe, if you haven't been there," Pardue said. "You just have to come and experience it."

The trail is about a quarter to a third of a mile, Pardue said. "Folks should also factor in getting to the head of the trail, and getting back to their cars, although we do have shuttles available, if people need some help."

The trail opens at dusk. Guests will enter the Iroquois Amphitheater for one-hour tour time slots.

Money from ticket sales goes to Parks Alliance of Louisville, which supports more than 100 public parks. "We have 120 parks total, 17 are supported by the Olmstead Parks Conservancy, and we support the other 103, about two-thirds of which are in underserved communities. What this event allows us to do is the proceeds are invested in the Parks Alliance, which allows us the opportunity to go and raise even more money, and also do one-off projects."

On opening night — Tuesday, Oct. 3 — during The Pre-Lit Bash presented by Heaven Hill, guests can enjoy cocktails and food before hitting the trail.

A Sensory Night, presented by PNC Bank, is set for 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.

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.

Tickets are on sale now. Prices range from $15 to $20 for adults, depending on the day, and $12 for children. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Group tickets are also available.

Organizers "strongly recommend" buying tickets in advance, as some nights are expected to sell out, especially on weekends.

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

To purchase tickets, click here.

Related Stories: