Here are the Jack-O-Lanterns I created for the Minnesota Zoo in my fourth year on the show. The theme for the 2024 show was “Wanderlust”, and spanned many genres. The first several pumpkins I carved I unfortunately didn’t get to see lit, as they were early in the show and the heat made them rot before I got a chance to visit the trail.
Many of the artists at the studio get creative with “hidden pumpkins” (jack-o-lanterns where you wouldn’t expect to see them). I added them to three of my pumpkins this year. I’ll definitely be looking to do more of that for future shows!
It is hard to pick a favorite from this show — It’s tied between Totoro, Zelda, and Metroid. I’m planning to take time off right before the 2025 show opens — that way I can maximize the number of pumpkins drawn in September, and have time to carve them before the show opens.
If you want to learn more about the show and the process of creating these Jack-O-Lanterns, see my post All About Pumpkin Carving!