Attendance up at Jack-O-Lantern exhibit

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Despite sometimes uncooperative weather, Roger Williams Park Zoo officials are reporting record attendance for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular exhibit.

After 15 nights, attendance at the illuminated art display has reached 48,770 visitors, 16% more than the 15 night attendance in 2004, which was the last year the exhibit was offered at the Zoo. In the interim, the jack-o-lantern display was hosted at other sites.

“Early this year, the Spectacular’s creator, John Reckner, approached us and expressed interest in returning to the Zoo,” said Zoo Director Jack Mulvena. “We were very pleased to welcome the show back, and look forward to making this a tradition at the Zoo for years to come.

The success of this show is important for the Zoo, as the proceeds benefit our education and conservation programs.”

This year’s exhibit runs nightly through Sunday, November 1. Tickets can be purchased from 6 pm – 10 pm, and the trail closes at 11 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $9 for children.

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Roger Williams Park Zoo, one of the oldest in the nation, is Rhode Island’s number one outdoor family and tourist attraction, and is also a leader in conservation efforts undertaken by a zoo of its size.

The Zoo has received numerous awards for environmental education, and conservation work done locally and around the world, caring for species that without human intervention would face certain extinction. Roger Williams Park Zoo is supported and managed by the Rhode Island Zoological Society and is owned by the City of Providence.