Great pumpkins to rise at outdoor jack-o-lantern event in Calgary
Organizers of Pumpkins After Dark are preparing for the upcoming launch of the event, which has never before been held in Calgary.
The outdoor exhibit features more than 6,000 pumpkins that have been carved, lit and stacked to create dozens of different displays from dragons and dinosaurs to Halloween characters and pop culture icons.
“We've had staff carving all year long, five staff to carve these displays that you're going to see,” Pumpkins After Dark co-owner Mike Sheppard said.
“It's the Halloween version of Christmas lights, it's artistic. It's not scary -- it's entertaining -- and it's just a great time all around.”
The exhibit is held after dark to let the glowing jack-o-lanterns have maximum impact.
Organizers say it takes about 45 minutes or an hour to walk the trails and see the displays.
Pumpkins After Dark uses some 6,000 pumpkins to create dozens of displays. (Pumpkins After Dark)
The family-friendly event is being held at WinSport on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 23 to Oct. 31.
“This really is the first big outdoor event that we've had at WinSport since the start of COVID-19,” WinSport spokesperson Dave Oviatt said.
“We're going to have our own little Spooktacular Mini Golf to go along with Pumpkins After Dark, so it's a really good opportunity for families to come out and enjoy some outdoor weather."
Organizers say physical distancing measures will be in place with masking recommended. In addition, they ask you to stay with your family cohort while visiting.
Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages four to 17 and free for kids three and under.
“Everything is time ticketed,” Pumpkins After Dark Co-owner Kevin Blackburn said. “You do have to pre-purchase your ticket before the event, that way we can allow a safe amount of people to come through and abide by all the COVID-19 protocols.”
In addition to thousands of jack-o-lanterns, the event also features food trucks, hot chocolate and coffee and pumpkin carving demonstrations.
“People can leave and buy a pumpkin on their way out, and hopefully learn something, and take a pumpkin home and carve it themselves,” Sheppard said.
- With files from Kevin Flemming
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.