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Held the last two years at the Pawtucket, R.I., PawSox’s stadium, and at Roger Williams Zoo in Providence for four years before, the event has drawn in excess of 80,000 visitors over a 21 day show. The Aquarium offers 11 evenings: Oct. 23 through Nov. 2. Show organizers were attracted to The Maritime Aquarium for its outdoor area along the Norwalk River, Bittner explained. “Spectacular” ticket holders enter through the main entrance, same as daytime patrons. Walking through the warm tunnel connecting the Aquarium’s gift shop and café with its animal exhibits, visitors suddenly find themselves back outside. Bittner describes what to expect. It is October cool. Fog shrouds and magnifies a hundred orange glows and glimmers. There are pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere. Carved and lit squash are on the ground, up on stands, balanced on rocks, hanging from trees. Somewhere music plays, appropriate to the scene, amplifying the experience. Familiar odors of fond memories waft through the air – votive candles and the distinct delight of singed pumpkin flesh. At the center of all sits a gigantic Elvis, Jack Sparrow, Paul Newman, George Carlin, T-Rex, Shark, Hippo or Mermaid jack-o’-lantern. Stars of the Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular are the “intricates,” incredibly detailed pieces of art worked in backlit squash, Bittner said.
Some of the “intricates” are huge, weighing more than half-a-ton and standing four feet tall. It is not uncommon for an artist to spend 20 hours or more carving a single one, said John Reckner, Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular founder. Other artists work up “filler” pumpkins: hundreds of traditional jack-o’-lanterns used to surround “intricates,” hang in trees, define walkways and more. They carve one in just three minutes using thin, two-edged, serrated drywall saws. All jack-o’-lanterns on display are carved from real squash and pumpkins, Reckner added. “We have learned so much doing these major shows for six years now,” Reckner said, “our intricate pumpkins will be at a whole new level for the Norwalk show. We plan to do fewer skits than past years so we can concentrate even more time on the showstoppers.” Jack-o’-lanterns are arranged into “skits,” each with a unique theme built around one or more “intricates.” Music, lighting, props and special effects complete the effect. Visitors walk from scene to scene, enjoying wonder after wonder, as they wander the show, he explained. Skits planned for The Maritime Aquarium include: Hollywood stars with a tribute to Paul Newman, pirates of the Caribbean, The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, a “laughing tree” tribute to George Carlin and shifting tides of the election, Reckner said. Pictures, even video, do not begin to describe the impact of this “spectacular” experience, Bittner said. Photos and videos from previous Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular performances can be found on Flickr, YouTube and other web sites. “You really need to see it for yourself. But don’t dawdle,” she added. Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular was named a Local Legacy by the U.S. Library of Congress, a U.S. Congressional initiative to document and preserve local cultural life.
Show times are 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until 10:30 p.m. Advance tickets are sold in 30-minute increments. The display remains open for 90 minutes after the last timed admission, Bittner said. Price is $12 Sunday through Thursday and $14 Friday and Saturday. Aquarium members save $2. Groups of 10 or more qualify for member pricing. The event is held rain or shine from Thursday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 2. Overnight stay packages including special hotel rates and Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular tickets are available from Norwalk Courtyard by Marriott, a community sponsor of the event. Call 203-849-9111 or 800-647-7578 or follow the link to their web site from the Aquarium’s site at www.MaritimeAquarium.org. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: Chowder, foliage and music at Mystic Seaport’s annual Chowderfest - Sep 22, 2008 - 6:41 AM Mystic Seaport announces Charles W. Morgan restoration plans - Sep 18, 2008 - 7:22 AM Thomas B. Crowley Jr. to receive Mystic Seaport’s America and the Sea Award - Sep 16, 2008 - 6:46 AM Norwalk Historical Society hosts "The Sally" Lecture on Sunday, September 14, 2008 - Sep 9, 2008 - 5:32 PM Mystic hosts 6th annual Weekend of Rowing - Sep 8, 2008 - 12:33 AM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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