Beautiful Glensheen mansion in Duluth, Minnesota hosted its second annual “Jack O’Lantern Spooktacular” last weekend. The evenings were classic bone-chilling, northern Minnesota fall weather, but they were clear with an almost-full moon for some of the nights of the event, which added to the spooky fun ambience!
As you enter the grounds, one of the majestic old trees is lit from below, appearing to stretch its branch fingers to the moon.
You are guided by lit pumpkins into the old carriage house, which would be the starting point of your tour if you ever have the chance to take a detailed look at this magnificent property on the shores of Lake Superior. As you exit the carriage house, you walk along the winding path, and can see Duluth’s aerial lift bridge on Canal Park in the distance.
Walking toward the house, a magical sight meets you as you turn to look at Glensheen’s gardens and fountain (or at least turn to look at where they would be found in daylight). My camera was inadequate in capturing the awesome vision!
The self-guided pumpkin-lit path leads you briefly through the house, where you have the opportunity to vote on your favorite carved pumpkin. Then, you walk through the kitchen, where a devilish young woman is pounding pumpkins, and the other pumpkins await their fate — notice the worried and fright-filled expressions of the pumpkin gallery!
During the evening’s festivities, you have three opportunities to watch a fire performer (Dave Carlson of Malleable Reality, according to the Spooktacular Facebook page). You can enjoy a s’more and warm your hands next to the fire pits.
You still have time to participate in Ailsa’s Weekly Travel Theme at Where’s My Backpack? This week’s theme is “Spooky” which may be interpreted in a variety of ways — click here for more ideas on how to respond to the theme, and to see others’ responses in the comments and pingbacks.
Happy Halloween to all!
Ciao! ~ Kat
Travel. Garden. Eat. 
19 responses to “Spooktacular! (Travel Theme: Spooky)”
What a GREAT post Kat!!! The mood was awesome!
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Wish we had time to get there again this year, but the weekend is slipping away with too many tasks demanding attention 😦 — it is such a cool event!
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Reblogged this on Travel. Garden. Eat. and commented:
It is that time of year again — Duluth’s Glensheen Estate is gearing up for the 3rd Annual Jack O’Lantern Spooktacular! Sharing my post from last year’s event — definitely worth a visit if you have a chance between Thursday, October 24 and Sunday October 27. from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. (grounds close at 9:00 p.m.).
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[…] Spooktacular! (Travel Theme: Spooky) […]
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I love all your spooky shots… 😉
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Sort of the festive spooky counterpart to festive holiday lights at Bentleyville!
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What a super place! My daughter would absolutely love it there. We are a bit half-hearted about Halloween here and it tends to get amalgamated into Guy Fawkes’.
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It was such a creative display, and a fun way to spend a bit of time on a chilly fall evening! Thanks for stopping by ~ Kat
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We don’t DO Halloween really here…but this looks like so much fun !!!!!
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It was such a festive fall activity! We had not gone to it last year, and definitely would go again next year. ~ Kat
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Love the tour guided by pumpkins. Wonderful photo of the tree with the pumpkin smiling at the bottom. That was my favorite…but I enjoyed each of them. Thank you for sharing and taking us with you 🙂
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The pumpkin with the tree was my favorite, as well! Thank you for taking time to comment, danajoward! ~ Kat
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Wow! You were able to get some GREAT photos, Kathy 🙂
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Thanks, Julie — it was pretty amazing to see that garden lines with jack-o-lanterns! ~ Kat
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One of my family’s favorite holidays. 🙂
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It is such a fun holiday, hugmamma! ~ Kat
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I’m in the midst of preparing to do an antique fair…I’m a dealer…so I’ve not been able to decorate for Halloween as I would otherwise have done.
After the fair’s done, I’ll be decorating for Christmas. Takes me awhile, so I start early.
My daughter will visit for Thanksgiving, so the house will be festive for her return. 🙂
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Decorating at Christmas time is one of the only times I take out the decoration boxes anymore (I get tired of being the only one interested in putting decorations away again the rest of the seasons!)
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My husband would help, but I like to organize things so I know what’s where the following Christmas. Actually, he does do the village since that’s he puts it up.
Good luck decorating this year. 🙂
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