SASKATOON - For the first year in Saskatoon, a Halloween-themed event has come to the Exhibition Grounds of Prairie Land Park. Pumpkins After Dark will also operate in Calgary, Edmonton, Burnaby, Ottawa and Houston.
Canada’s award-winning outdoor Halloween event features thousands of hand-carved pumpkins offering a one-of-a-kind walk-through experience.
Riley Shepherd, spokesperson for the event, tells SaskToday.ca, “We set up approximately two to three weeks prior to opening. The large displays take approximately one year to build. We have roughly 50 employees per location.”
Running through to Oct. 31, Shepherd affirms the event runs rain or shine. Event hosts recommend dressing for the weather as they will only close under extreme weather conditions.
Guests can take as much or as little time as they want exploring the magical pathway with sculptures, displays, music, sounds, and special effects. Glowing lights, jack ‘o lanterns and lighted pathways include classic Halloween characters, dinosaurs and dragons along with popular cultural and movie icons.
The event creates a carnival-like atmosphere for all generations that includes the enchanting walk-through experience, celebration of all things Halloween, fall treats and sweets, multiple Instagram-worthy photo stations and a mall-like space that showcases singing pumpkins, photo ops, strolling Cinderella, lighted items for sale and interactive spaces. Strolling performers, decked out in lights and glowing attire, are a continual part of the evening’s activity
Shepherd also notes that the event includes 12 artists who carve the large displays and local pumpkin carvers for the live pumpkin carving demonstrations. Thousands of organic and synthetic pumpkins are part of the perfectly placed displays.
Guests have the opportunity to purchase pumpkins during the event, and all leftover pumpkins are donated to local farms and rescues.
Community partner, Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, was one of the Bridge City event supporters meaning that the Zoo Foundation receives proceeds from every ticket purchased using the promo code PUMPKINZOO.
