Over 300 volunteers are helping carve pumpkins for Spirits in the Garden

AMES, Iowa — A spooky season favorite is returning to Ames next weekend and organizers say volunteers are the reason they can host it.

Spirits in the Garden is an annual event at Reiman Gardens where people can see 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins lighting up the gardens. Organizers say this week volunteers started helping get the pumpkins ready.

“There would not be a Spirits in the Garden without our volunteers. We have volunteers who spend their whole day with us, all week, making sure the whole event is very smooth for all of the other volunteers,” said Kim Hope, the manager of volunteer engagements.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week, over 300 volunteers helped outline designs on pumpkins. Then, next week, they will return to carve the pumpkins.

Spirits in the Garden will officially take place next weekend, kicking off with a Jack-O-Lantern sneak peek on Friday, October 11th from 6 pm to 10 pm. There won’t be any candy or entertainment on Friday night, but there will be a cash bar.

Then, on Saturday, October 12th, and Sunday, October 13th, the event will be open from 5 pm to 10 pm. Candy will be available on both days and there will be shows and entertainment.

Hope said this year they will have a family-friendly haunted house to check out among other entertainment, including the return of the popular Iowa State University Chemistry club’s magic show. Also new this year is the theme for the pumpkins in the children’s garden. This year they will all be decorated with Pirates of the Caribbean designs.

Tickets are available for purchase online . Below is the price per ticket:

Each ticket is a timed ticket, meaning visitors may show up during the time outlined on their ticket, and can stay until closing. For example, if a ticket is purchased for Saturday from 5 pm – 5:30 pm, the visitor should arrive between 5 and 5:30 but can stay longer. Entry gates close at 9 pm and the Gardens close at 10 pm, each night of the event.

Staff members encourage people to purchase tickets early because they are limited. Last year’s event lasted two weekends and tickets were sold out. This year, the event will only take place one weekend, because they schedule it with the Iowa State University football schedule in mind.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.