Market Friday: Jack-o-Lantern Festival at the Minnesota Zoo
Hello Market Friday fans and our wonderful leader, @dswigle! I’m looking forward to spending some time this weekend reading Market Friday posts. This is one of my favorite communities, and I love how it expands my horizons!
My post this week is all about jack-o-lanterns, which are part of what makes this time of year so awesome.
This was a bit of a crazy week. I broke my foot while on a hike the week before and had to have surgery on Wednesday — which also happened to be my wedding anniversary. So on Tuesday, the night before the surgery, my husband and I decided to do something fun to celebrate our 26th!
Each year the Minnesota Zoo holds this Jack-o-lantern Spectacular. We had never been. And now I just have to say that Spectacular is the right word. It truly is. There are something like 5,000 carved pumpkins!
Needless to say, walking was not an option for me, but my husband had learned in advance that they have wheelchairs and motorized chairs for people with mobility issues.
As you can see from the picture, it was cold — wintry cold! We had an Arctic blast for a few days, and it was just a few degrees above freezing.
We started out at a little beverage kiosk and bought some hot cider with a shot of Fireball (cinnamon whiskey), which was delicious!
Then of course we had to pose at the picture stations.
Anyway, to see the jack-o-lanterns, you walk (or ride) along a path that has pumpkins — carved by an army of helpers — lining both sides. There really is no way to convey just how amazing it is.
There are thousands of regular jack-o-lanterns carved with scary, silly, spooky and funny faces….
And then there are thousands more with highly intricate faces and scenes, all organized in sections by themes, like movies and storybooks.
This next set of two pictures were on the same pumpkin — Shrek on one side and Fiona on the other.
One of the themes was board games; another was video games. So clever!
There was a section titled National Geographic, with carvings of Stone Henge, Machu Pichu and other wonders of the world.
But some of the most amazing jack-o-lanterns were of famous faces and movie scenes. Some of these took my breath away!
Well there are more, but you are probably feeling like we did after a while: you can only look at so many pumpkins before your eyes glaze over!
Thank you so much for visiting my post, and Happy Market Friday! I’ve been a bit scarce lately, but now that I’m recover from my foot surgery I’m hoping to be more present. Cheers!
Photo credits: All of the photos in this post were taken by me with my iphone and belong to me, unless otherwise noted.
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This post needs a double-like button! I love seeing the carved pumpkins every year but sadly can't go see them for myself. I love seeing how Americans celebrate Halloween!
We do love our pumpkin festivals! Thank you for stopping by, @lex-zaiya.
My birthday falls on Halloween in a country that barely celebrates it. I love seeing all the decorations that come from America. Those pumpkins are awesome!
Happy Birthday, @lex-zaiya!
Thank you!
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Wow, this is an amazing place, as seen from the photos you get there, the thousands of Jack-o-Lanterns provided are enough to make the atmosphere even more perfect.
It was really a splendid event! I'm so glad we went!
Yup, that's right, I can imagine if I was there.
Just looking at these pictures, especially those of classic story books and movies, take my breath away! 😄 I love events like this.
I'm happy to know your surgery was a success and wish you speedy recovery so you start to walk by yourself again. What an amazing time you had at Minnesota Zoo. Happy anniversary to you and husband. ♥️😊
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Thank you so much, @kemmyb! Next year will be a better anniversary, as I won't spend it in the hospital. 😄
OMG, those Jack O'Lanterns are epic! Can you imagine how much time it must take them to get those carved and set up? And then keep them all lit and pretty?
And hot cider and whiskey! Talk about a fantastic night.
I hope your foot heals soon!
Thank you, @wwwiebe! Yes, it's very time consuming to carve really fancy pumpkins. And they have to replace them every four days!! Can you believe that?
These are beautiful 😍
Oh my god that first pumpkin of that star wars gnome so sorry I don't know his name😂😂 then the one of Dolby😂😂
Ha ha. That's Baby Yoda!
So glad it all went well with your surgery! On your Anniversary, no less! I am glad that you got to celebrate it! What a great way to do so.
I loved the pumpkin festival and I cannot believe how many pumpkins were involved! Were each and every one of these actually carved? I want to know their secret if they are! Or perhaps, they are using lights and it is colder up there... it is truly possible, but, holy wow! Talk about the enormity of the project! Can you imagine carving that many pumpkins? How long is the festival? Worrying about how they were going to last would be the first thing I think about!
I really loved the themed ones and even the ones that weren't! Look at the level of expertise they have!
I am so happy they were able to accommodate you and that you got warmed up before you went in! You take me to the funnest (yes! It is a word~ Maybe) places!!! Great pictures, great time! Thank you for participating in #MarketFriday! I appreciate the time and effort that goes into putting a post together for the challenge. It is with great pleasure that I read through and realize how much we have all tried to include things in our world that may be unique to the area. I have learned so much about the different cultures of the world, especially the small things that go unnoticed except by those looking for them. Life is interesting, wherever you are, whatever you are doing. I hope the week has found you healthy and happy, as we all look to prosper in our way of life.
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Thank you so much, @dswigle. Wish you could go to that festival. You would love it!
The crazy thing about all those jack-o-lanterns is they all have to be replaced about every four days and the festival lasts the month of October! So they must have an army of volunteers. It is truly mind-blowing! And yes they are all hand carved. Then there is a clear tissue and a light behind it.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m going to have to get really creative about coming up with Market Friday posts now that I’m mostly house-bound!
You can use past experiences, we have all had to do that when we are challenged. Internet sales. Or memories. :)
There is no reason to stress though. You know we will be here again when you are ready. I remember my own and I had to run MarketFriday! What a nightmare! :)
I am even more impressed after reading about doing them every four days!!!!
Isn't that nuts? Hope you had a great Halloween, @dswigle. Yeah, I can't imagine how you kept on top of running Market Friday while in recovery!
I have a great family! I had some Markets in the can, not edited or organized, but, had pictures. Then, everyone was given a mission to go to a store, any store, museum whatever, and take 50 pictures for me. :)
Then there was internet shopping. One I sent to the post office. One to the passport office. I had all these missions. Some got done, and Others are still spinning, waiting to get done. :)
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