Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular returns to Iroquois (Louisville Park)

Spectacular is returning to Iroquois Park in an event that will showcase about 5,000 delicately carved pumpkins.

The spectacular is booked Oct. 13 through Nov. 6 and will feature the pumpkins lined up to illuminate a one-third mile trail near the Iroquois Amphitheater.

Metro Parks officials coordinating the activities estimated that as many as 90,000 people will see the display that is developing into a major fall tourism attraction.

The trail will be open from dusk until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Tickets range from $9 to $15, with discounts for seniors and children 12 and under. Proceeds will benefit the Louisville Parks Foundation, which raises money for Metro Parks projects.

Proceeds from the 2015 event paid for a new playground at California Park that caters to disabled children, parks officials said.

Parks officials said there is no public money put up for the event. The roughly $500,000 cost of the event is provided by the Parks Foundation and numerous sponsors, with much of the remaining cost covered by event ticket sales. Assistant Parks Director Marty Storch said the pumpkins alone cost about $100,000.

The wooded trail begins just outside the amphitheater and is laid out through the park. It features themed vignettes set to music. The carved, lit pumpkins rotate on a weekly basis, creating a different experience each weekend.

Storch said at least 40 artists, most of them local, are commissioned to carve the pumpkins.

The event is held rain or shine. No refunds will be given, but advanced purchased tickets may be exchanged for another day. Coach drop-off and on-site parking are available.

Jack O' Lantern Spectacular is produced by Louisville parks officials in conjunction with Passion for Pumpkins, "a multimedia production company with more than 25 years experience in redefining fall by transforming any landscape into an illuminated organic gallery," according to a Metro Parks release. Passion for Pumpkins began as a small family-run event to raise funds for a school in Massachusetts. The founders and their partners have produced "pumpkin shows" in New England that have been attended by more than a million people.

This year’s sponsors include Papa John’s, Delta Dental, WellCare, LG&E, Republic Bank, Wendy’s, KFC, the Muhammad Ali Center, Kentucky Select Realtors and Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana.