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  1. Catering & Design
  2. Event Design & Decor

Why This New Pumpkin Festival Is Getting a Ton of Social-Media Buzz

The inaugural Nights of the Jack, created by a team of Los Angeles-based event veterans, has more than 5,000 hand-carved jack-o-lantern tributes to Rodeo Drive, the solar system, Disney princesses, Kim Kardashian, and more.

Claire Hoffman
October 23, 2018

Intricately carved pumpkins may be nothing new, but an inaugural festival in Calabasas has a distinctly Los Angeles twist—more than 5,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns feature local staples like the shops on Rodeo Drive, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, and palm trees surrounding the Hollywood sign.

The fun, social media-friendly displays are part of Nights of the Jack, a new festival taking over a half-mile trail at King Gillette Ranch. Running from October 11 to November 4, the public, ticketed event features more than 20 large installations with themes and has already drawn celebrities including Matt Damon, Tori Spelling, Taylor Lautner, David Arquette, and Lance Bass.

The event is the brainchild of Ben Biscotti, co-founder and president of 1iota Productions; Tony Schubert, principal of Event Eleven; and hospitality veteran Bobby Rossi of Bungalow 8 and Rec Room. The same group, which Biscotti calls “the dream team,” put together the inaugural Rosé Day L.A. in Malibu in June.

“All of us have always had a special connection to Halloween, and we wanted to create something that would become a staple destination and fun experience for families, adults, and children of all ages,” explained Biscotti. “There is truly something in our show for everyone to appreciate and enjoy. The kids love their favorite characters and the big themed installations, while the adults appreciate the intricate works of art and the level of production put into the project.”

Hundreds of artists from around the country carved the jack-o-lanterns, and New York-based Debbi Katz Productions helped with set build and design. In addition to the L.A.- and celebrity-focused areas, other family-friendly spots include a solar system display, Disney princesses, an “under the sea” theme, and a group of pumpkin dinosaurs.

[PULLQUOTE]

The Rodeo Drive display—which features logos for Tiffany & Co., Dior, YSL, and other luxury brands flanked by glamorous pumpkin-headed shoppers—was designed as both an homage to the fashion industry and a chance to secure some future partnerships. 

“We chose some of our favorite brands—and maybe our wives had a little something to do with it too,” laughed Biscotti. “We wanted to showcase these brands year one to prove that this unique marketing approach is a ‘must-have’ when entering the holiday season. We are projecting over 50,000 people to physically pass by the installation, and the total number of social impressions and press by the end of the run should be an extremely attractive proposition for future marketing dollars.”

The festival also has food trucks and a bar from Lance Bass’s Bubble Tap Trailer, and of course, plenty of social-media-friendly moments, which Biscotti noted is crucial when launching a new event. “It’s a social world now, and creating that buzz on all social-media outlets is paramount to success when launching a new brand and keeping it relevant,” he said.

So, will the “dream team” behind Nights of the Jack continue to plan public events in the future? Biscotti says yes. “This team of veterans brings a unique set of skills from different industries, and [we've] been able to create amazing properties that we hope will be staple events here in L.A. for many years,” he explained. "Absolutely be on the lookout for more of these experiential brands in the near future.”

The inaugural Nights of the Jack takes place at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas until November 4. Some 5,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns stretch along the half-mile trail.
The inaugural Nights of the Jack takes place at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas until November 4. Some 5,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns stretch along the half-mile trail.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
Artists from around the country carved the pumpkins, and New York-based producer Debbi Katz handled the set build.
Artists from around the country carved the pumpkins, and New York-based producer Debbi Katz handled the set build.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
A solar system-theme display has a pumpkin for each planet; in the background, pumpkins carved with stars hang against a space-inspired backdrop.
A solar system-theme display has a pumpkin for each planet; in the background, pumpkins carved with stars hang against a space-inspired backdrop.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
Another family-friendly installation features a castle filled with Disney princesses.
Another family-friendly installation features a castle filled with Disney princesses.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
An area inspired by Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills includes pumpkin-headed shoppers and logos for big-name fashion brands.
An area inspired by Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills includes pumpkin-headed shoppers and logos for big-name fashion brands.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
It wouldn't be an L.A. event without the Hollywood sign; at Nights of the Jack, it's flanked by palm trees made from pumpkins.
It wouldn't be an L.A. event without the Hollywood sign; at Nights of the Jack, it's flanked by palm trees made from pumpkins.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
Another L.A.-appropriate display features celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, John Legend, and Chrissy Teigen.
Another L.A.-appropriate display features celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, John Legend, and Chrissy Teigen.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
An ocean-theme display has turtles, sharks, seahorses, and more.
An ocean-theme display has turtles, sharks, seahorses, and more.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
A large dinosaur installation has proven popular on social media.
A large dinosaur installation has proven popular on social media.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
To add to the immersive experience on the trail, CBC Technical installed uplighting on the trees.
To add to the immersive experience on the trail, CBC Technical installed uplighting on the trees.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
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