Carvers get busy creating the exhibit for Friday night’s ‘Jack-o-Lantern’ Village’ at Slater Park in Pawtucket. Artists assembled for the Wednesday evening session at Daggett Farm (in Slater Park) are, at left, front to back, Nick Gustafson, Francisco Saldarriaga,  his son Jaime Saldarriaga, age 4, and Amanda Thomas, 15; at right, front to back, Patricia Saldarriaga, her daughter, Kasey Saldarriaga, 8, and Sophia Beranek, 14. All of the above are from Pawtucket.   Times photo/Butch Adams 

By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET —- The good news is that the popular “Pumpkins in the Park” event featuring decoratively carved and lighted jack-o-lanterns returns this weekend to Slater Park.

However, the larger-scale, more elaborate event known as the “Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular” will not be returning to McCoy Stadium this year, according to Pawtucket Red Sox officials.
McCoy Stadium had hosted the “Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular,” which was sponsored last year by Citizens Bank, for the past two years. Prior to that, the event had been held for several years at the Roger Williams Park Zoo. A professional pumpkin-carving organization had created the hundreds of intricately designed jack-o-lanterns, many depicting the likenesses of celebrities, sports heroes and other popular figures.
According to Bill Wanless, vice president of public relations for the Pawtucket Red Sox, the decision to not host the event this year was driven by increased costs. “We weren’t comfortable charging the prices that we would have had to charge,” Wanless said. “Especially in these times, we felt that it wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Wanless added that, to his knowledge, the “Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular” had moved this year to Stamford, Conn.
At Slater Park, Anthony Walsh, who stages the “Pumpkins in the Park” event, had faced some logistical problems this year that caused him to delay the opening by one week. However, he said that beginning this Friday night, hundreds of pumpkins that have been carved “for children, by children” will be on display as usual near Daggett Farm.
“Pumpkins in the Park,” now in its 11th year, will feature a “Jack-o-Lantern Village” along with “Korny,” a 10-foot “talking scarecrow,” and other seasonal decorations. The event is sponsored by the Concerned Citizens Committee Inc.
Walsh said that this is a family-friendly event that runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, (Oct. 10, 11 and 12). After that, the event will be held on Oct. 17 and 18,  Oct. 24 and 25, and Oct. 31. Admission is $5 for adults, with children under 12 admitted free.
Also at Daggett Farm on weekends throughout October is the “Haunted Tunnel.” This is the eighth year that the Pawtucket Parks & Recreation Division has presented this spooky event, which is recommended for ages 10 and above.
The Haunted Tunnel is open on Fridays and Saturdays now through Oct. 25 from 7 to 8:45 p.m, and on Sunday, Oct. 12, for the holiday weekend. The cost is $5.
For further information, call the Pawtucket Parks & Recreation Department office at 728-0500, ext. 257.