Jack O’Lanterns Rise Up at Descanso Gardens in Fantastical Array

Just as the sun went down and the dark night emerged, Descanso Gardens opened their doors for the Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns. Children and parents rushed in to stare gape-jawed at the 5,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins lighting up the skies along a 1/3-mile walking trail.

“I am impressed with the creativity behind the whole thing,” said Melissa Difato, who has attended the event before, “Never would have imagined they could make dinosaurs out of pumpkins.”

Difato, together with her friends, made her way along the garden’s dark trails, guided by the flashlights of workers from the event. They giggled at the wooden bathroom sign with pumpkin-headed-people, and continued down the path towards the Rose Garden entrance.

Approaching the entrance, the suspenseful music score produced exclusively for the Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns, grew louder and louder.

The event featured a whole variety of different themes, from dinosaur pumpkins to The Muppets pumpkins. Xocoyotzin Saldivar, who attended the event with his mother, said the dinosaur pumpkins were his favorite. Although he was a little afraid at first, after going through the entire walk, “it was actually pretty fun,” he said.

Maggie Saldivar said it was her first time attending the event. Although it was hard to choose just one pumpkin-favorite, Saldivar said hers was the dragon.

Not too far from Saldivar were a group of kids jumping up and down from excitement. “Did you see the jellyfish, mom?” said David Marsh. He added those were his favorite.

Rain or shine, The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns will be held at the Descanso Gardens every Thursday through Sunday night, from October 1 through November 1, 2015. Hours range from 6:30-10:30 p.m. The Gardens are located at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Cañada Flintridge. For more see https://www.descansogardens.org/plan-your-visit/rise-of-the-jack-o-lanterns/

It is necessary to purchase a ticket beforehand on the event’s website: www.therise.org.