Pumpkin Spooktacular Comes To Uk
Published 4th Oct 2003 by Robin Pridy

1st Annual Great Pumpkin Trail


A moonlit display of hundreds of creatively-carved jack o'lanterns
This Halloween, enter a week-long autumn wonderland at England's first-ever Great Pumpkin Trail, held this year after dark in the fantastic twisting and turning paths of Preston Park's rockery in Brighton. Meet Frankenstein, Homer Simpson, even see the Taj Mahal ? they're orange, they're on fire and it's all set to a pumpkin' soundtrack!

Complete with moody floodlit corners, fairylights and an ethereal soundtrack, venture, if you dare, into the atmospheric beauty of this enchanted garden. Here, you will see hundreds of mischievous and intricately-carved Jack O'Lanterns become mythical creatures, cartoon characters and famous faces, all glowering down from their nooks and crannies, haunted hollows and ghostly grottos.

And there's more:
o Spooky children's tours - ghostly tall tales to scare you silly
o Why not come in fancy dress?
o Special prize for first 13th visitor!
o Bring your own pumpkin to add to the display
o Ghoulie goodies and bewitching beverages in the creepy cottage
o Specially-carved pumpkins by local artists and schoolchildren
o Face painting for all ages

It's a whole new way to look at Halloween, according to Great Pumpkin Trail creator, Jo Carey, who was inspired by a pumpkin festival she saw in Salem, USA a few years ago. "I love everything about autumn, kicking the leaves, trick-or-treating, dressing up, the whole feeling of it" she says. "Since I was a kid I've always gone to Halloween parties where we ducked for apples and played spooky games ? it's something I looked forward to every year."

But it's not just Halloween that has a hold on Carey ? it's the pumpkins. She collects every pumpkin-related item she can get her hands on, from postcards, serviettes and badges to glowing lamps. "The reason I like pumpkins so much is that there's so much creatively that you can do with them ? I like the idea of making something completely different each time." Now she has taken it one step further to bring her love of all things pumpkin to the masses in her hometown of Brighton. "Halloween should be for everyone to enjoy, a night to enter a world of make believe," she adds. "A bit of spookiness is a good thing."

Luckily, Brighton and Hove city council felt the same way and made the rockery available. "We decided on the Preston Park rockery because it seems made for this event - it's already very beautiful and slightly eerie, and I thought the crooked trees and craggy rocks would be perfect - plus, you just don't know what's around the next corner, and that adds to the slightly scary mood we wanted."

But the faint-hearted need not fret ? it won't be too haunted to handle, and in fact, there's something for everyone, whether they come to simply enjoy the music, the lights or even the beauty of the natural landscape at night. "It's easy to reach by bus and train, and there's loads of parking available at Preston Park. It will also be great for parents who want a safer Halloween experience for their kids this year." says Carey, "We're going to use fairy lights, mirrorballs and coloured spotlights, and there's going to be kids' activities such as face painting and competitions to keep everyone interested." And that's not to mention the scrumptious seasonal treats and refreshments on hand!

So if autumn only makes you think of bonfires and fireworks, it's time to think again and take yourself to The Great Pumpkin Trail, truly a show to remember, and hopefully, one for next year too.

The Great Pumpkin Trail runs six days, from Tuesday, 28th October to Sunday, 2nd November, 6?10pm, rain or shine, presented by "What Shall We Do Today?".

General admission is ?4.50 for adults, ?2.50 for seniors and ?2.50 for children to 13. Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. No advance tickets will be sold. The Great Pumpkin Trail may sell out, so visitors are advised to come early. Visitors may also call 01273 676 764, or e-mail thegreatpumpkintrail@hotmail.com for more information.

Preston Park Rockery is conveniently located on the A23 Preston Road opposite. Preston Park, about one hour from London and 30min from Lewes. Parking is available in Preston Park. Buses no.273, 5, 5A, 5B, 56, 86, 87, 91, N85, N97 stop on Preston Road, Preston Park train station is 5 minutes away and Brighton rail station is a 20-minute walk. The rockery is owned and operated by Brighton and Hove City Council.

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