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RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns will return to Southern California this fall, this time at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown L.A. and at the Fairplex in Pomona. RISE incorporates over 5,000 elaborately carved pumpkins to create a mesmerizing path of glowing gourds. Unlike other Halloween events around town, this one is not particularly scary, yet is both seasonally appropriate and quite beautiful. Guests walk down a pathway and view the jack-o'-lanterns while an ambient soundtrack plays. There are no roving monsters waiting to pop out and startle you, just thousands of intricately designed pumpkins, some piled into impressive sculptures. Tickets are sold in 15-minute intervals, though you may decide to stay longer. Food and beverages will be available on site.
LAist attended last year’s event at Descanso Gardens and discovered a massive, 50-foot-long dragon, numerous pop culture references from the likes of Star Wars and The Walking Dead, and an assortment of sea creatures. In addition to some artificial pumpkins, the event also features thousands of real, fresh pumpkins, and as such, they need to be re-carved throughout the event's five-city run. There will be four live-carving stations at each event so that you can watch the artists at work and perhaps learn how to craft your own pumpkins to feature something more unique than a lop-sided grin this year.
RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns will take place in downtown Los Angeles at the L.A. Convention Center October 13 to 16, and at the Fairplex in Pomona October 27 to 30. Tickets are not yet on sale, but you can sign up for an alert at RISE's website.
