The Spectacular was founded by John Reckner, an Oxford, Massachusetts postal carrier.  Inspired by a Vermont farm he had seen lined with glowing jack o’ lanterns, Reckner organized the first Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Oxford in 1988.  The 185 jack o’ lanterns featured in this first Spectacular were carved by local residents and displayed for only one evening on a hillside behind a local school.  About 300 spectators attended.  Today, Mr. Reckner, his family, and their crew of jack o’ lantern artists continue to bring the Spectacular to life.

This will be the sixth presentation of the Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo since 2001. While at the Zoo, the one-of-a-kind display has drawn an average of over 80,000 visitors annually from all over New England and beyond. Don't miss out on it this year - even the great pumpkin is impressed!