Safari Park to feature many hand-carved jack o’lanterns

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park parking is glowing Orange on the road to Halloween as it presents “RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns.”

This the first year the Safari Park is hosting this event, which features more than 5,000 jack o’lanterns that have been intricately hand-carved and crafted by artists into striking displays, along a winding trail that spans nearly one-third of a mile.

The RISE is a family-friendly event featuring themed carvings. At the Safari Park, guests will go on a “land and sea adventure” when they walk the trail past enormous carved giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, tigers and lions, before “jumping into the ocean” and seeing a spectacular oc­topus and his jellyfish friends.

A section of The RISE is “the di­nosaurs’ stomping ground,” featur­ing carnivores such as T-Rex. Sports fans will have their area, too, with carvings featuring their favorite athletes. For

 

The RISE also features music scored exclusively for the event. In addition to the intricate displays, guests can stop and watch as top sculptors transform 100-pound pumpkins into artistic creations during a live carve.

RISE will operate Friday, Sat­urday and Sunday nights, through October 25, with tour hours ranging from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The surface of the trail is stroller and wheelchair friendly.

This is a special ticketed event, no discount for zoo members. The Park is closed during the event’s operat­ing hours. Safari Park is located at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Es­condido.

Tickets are $24 to $28, available only by advance purchase at theR­ISE.org. Tickets are not sold at the door. Children ages 2 and younger are free. Parking is free.