A Jack-O-Lantern Experience

A Collection of Festive Pumpkins On Display Submitted By Regional Schools

Voting Begins Saturday, October 18, 2025 Through Saturday, October 25, 2025
Winners To Be Announced On October 27, 2025 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!

2025 Participating Schools & Organizations :

• Adaptive Alliance
• Belvidere High School Art Club
• Belvidere North
• Eisenhower Middle School
• Harlem High School Student Council
• Harlem Middle School Student Council
• Keith Country Day School
• Meridian Junior High School
• RESA Middle School
• Rockford Christian
• Rockford Lutheran School Art Club
• Roosevelt High School

Past Winning Schools: 

• 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)