A Jack-O-Lantern Experience
A Collection of Festive Pumpkins On Display Submitted By Regional Schools
Voting Begins Saturday, October 17, 2026 Through Saturday, October 24, 2026
Winners To Be Announced On October 26, 2026 via Social Media!
FREE for All Garden Members | Cost of Regular Garden Admission for Non-Members
The Path of Pumpkins Returns! Anderson Japanese Gardens has partnered with schools from across the region to provide a new Halloween-themed outdoor experience. Middle and high school students will showcase their pumpkin carving creativity within individual exhibits consisting of multiple carved pumpkins, creating the Path of Pumpkins. Each admission will be provided with a voting card. Be sure to fill it out and drop it off in the ballot box or hand it to the Gift Shop Team! The three schools that receive the most votes will be awarded cash prizes! The winning schools will be announced on Anderson Gardens social media!
Our 2026 Top 3 Schools:
1st Place: Roosevelt High School
2nd Place: Harlem Middle School
3rd Place: Keith Country Day School
2026 Participating Schools & Organizations :
- Adaptive Alliance
- Auburn High School
- Belvidere High School
- Belvidere North High School
- Harlem Middle School – Student Council
- Jefferson High School
- Keith Country Day School
- Lincoln Middle School – 8th Grade Class
- Meridian Junior High School
- RESA Middle School
- Rockford Christian
- Rockford Lutheran
- Roosevelt High School
- The Quad at RPS 205
- West Middle School
Past Winning Schools:
- Roosevelt High School (2026)
- Roosevelt High School (2025)
- Keith Country Day School (2024)
- Roscoe Middle School – 8th Grade Art Students (2023)
- Roscoe Middle School – 8th Grade Students (2022)
- Freeport High School – National Art Honor Society (2021)
