A a detail view of etching in the husk of a pumpkin during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
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Over 5,000 artistically carved pumpkins are displayed along a half-mile wooded trail at the Minnesota Zoo at its annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, starting Friday and running through Nov. 2.
The event, which is part pumpkin patch, part art installation, is returning for its seventh year. The zoo expects more than 150,000 visitors to attend the spooky stroll.
This year’s theme of the carvings is “What Goes Bump in the Night,” and features an expanded walking route. Tickets to the event sold out in past years and must be bought in advance on the Minnesota Zoo website.
People walk through the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
Pumpkins decorate a tree during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
A “Headless Horseman” themed pumpkin sits on display during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
A “Hannibal” themed pumpkin sits on display during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
A “Phillies Karen” as Gollum themed pumpkin sits on display during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
A view of pumpkins during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
A view of pumpkins during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
People walk through the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
A a detail view of etching in the husk of a pumpkin during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
A lanternfish pumpkin sits on display during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota on September 25. A specially designated path is decorated with thousands of carved pumpkins set in different themes.
Stephen Maturen for MPR News
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