Apple Valley, MN – September 23, 2019 – They’re back! More than 5,000 glowing, carved pumpkins, illuminating the night! For the second year, HealthPartners Park Nicollet presents Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo.

Part pumpkin patch, part art installation, this year’s Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular will take guests on a journey around the world. With a brand new theme and all new designs, marvel at thousands of unique pumpkins expertly carved in the likeness of people, places, and animals from across the globe. You can wind your way through this one-of-a-kind experience each night from October 1 – November 3.

This year, all tickets are timed and available exclusively online at mnzoo.org. Doors open at 6 pm, with the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular trail opening at dusk, in most cases that’s around 7 pm. We suggest arriving about an hour ahead of your ticket entry time. Please visit mnzoo.org for a full listing of available time slots and ticket pricing.

Special Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular activities include:

• Straw maze, open daily

• Costume characters on select weekends

• Dazzling Dave Yo-Yoist on select weekends

• Live musical entertainment on select weekends

Photos, video, and on-site or in-studio carving demonstrations can be made available for news media throughout the month of October. Please contact Zach Nugent, Communication and Media Relations Specialist, to arrange at zach.nugent@state.mn.us or 952-250-7293.

The Minnesota Zoo is a year-round destination located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. The Zoo’s mission is to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

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