Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Returns to Roger Williams Park Zoo (via Rogers Williams Park Zoo)

Roger Williams Park Zoo will host its Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: Trivia – 2nd Edition beginning Sept. 25, according to a zoo announcement Tuesday.

The event, presented by Citizens, displays thousands of hand-carved pumpkins along a trail with trivia questions covering pop culture, movies, sports and other topics. Answers are carved into the illuminated pumpkins.

Zoo members can attend a preview night Thursday, Sept. 25, from 6-10:30 p.m. before the event opens to the public. Members pay $14 for adults and children that evening only. Children under 1 attend free.

The spectacular runs through November and includes an adults-only night Nov. 2.

All tickets require advance online purchase and are timed. Prime nights — Friday through Sunday — cost $23 for adults and $19 for children ages 2-12. Value nights Monday through Thursday cost $20 for adults and $16 for children. Zoo members receive $2 off adult tickets and $1 off child tickets.

The zoo will host Family Fun Nights Oct. 8-9 from 6-8 p.m. with costumed character meet-and-greets. Sensory-friendly nights Oct. 22-23 from 5-6 p.m. will feature 5,000 illuminated pumpkins without music or special effects for visitors with autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing differences. Those tickets are available only at the zoo’s admissions booth.

The event operates rain or shine. Light to moderate rain will not result in refunds or rescheduling.

Proceeds support the zoo’s animal care, educational programs and conservation initiatives.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...