The Minnesota Zoo Has a Serious Pumpkin Problem
Todd Swank's Diary Entry for October 5, 2026
Tuesday was a day I’d been waiting 7 months and 8 days to see. After an endless process of healing, appointments, waiting, and more waiting, I finally got my new dental implant. It’s amazing how much you can miss one little tooth until you spend most of a year walking around with a giant hole in your smile. I’m incredibly thankful to finally have the whole ordeal behind me and my full smile back. I look goofy enough already. I don’t need a missing front tooth helping me out.
The calendar flipped to October, which apparently means we’re required to add a little spookiness to our lives. So Miss Sheri and I headed out into the darkness hunting for something creepy. We found it. Lots of it. And apparently it had been expecting us.
Our search for some October spookiness brought us to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo, where more than 5,000 carved pumpkins light up the woods. With pumpkins everywhere, colorful lights, music and fog, it’s quite the spectacle. I’ve seen plenty of jack-o-lanterns in my life. Nothing quite like this.
Abby’s family was visiting from Georgia, so we asked what they had planned while they were in town. When they mentioned the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, we jumped at the chance to tag along. We’ve been here before, but getting to experience it with Abby’s family made it even more fun. Turns out inviting ourselves along was an excellent decision.
Abby’s dad Andrew and I get along pretty well, so I don’t think he minded us crashing their party. We had fun wandering the trail together checking out the pumpkins. Apparently we’ve reached the age where this qualifies as a pretty wild Monday night.
What impressed me most was the artwork. Local Minnesota artists help create more than 5,000 illuminated pumpkins, and the detailed ones are basically sculptures. They project images onto the pumpkins, sketch them, then carve and shave different depths to create incredible shadows and detail. Some of the big ones can take up to 20 hours to finish, with themes ranging from animals and monsters to celebrities and pop culture. I struggle with three triangles and a crooked mouth, so these people are clearly practicing some form of pumpkin witchcraft.
All in all, it was a pretty awesome way to spend a few hours with family. A beautiful fall night, thousands of glowing pumpkins, and some good people to enjoy it with. I’m not sure when walking around in the dark looking at vegetables became quality family entertainment, but apparently we’re there.
Sunday brought us to U.S. Bank Stadium to witness an epic battle between our hometown Minnesota Vikings and the formidable Miami Dolphins. Okay, “formidable” might be overselling it a bit, but after decades of Vikings fandom, I’ve learned never to look at an opponent and assume anything good is about to happen.
I went to the game with my #1 son, Luke. Some people might think Avery would be offended by that, but according to the official family record books, Luke was born two minutes before him. So technically, I’m not playing favorites. I’m just respecting the birth order.
The Vikings came into the game 3-0, which might be the shakiest 3-0 start in NFL history. We signed Kyler Murray to a one-year deal this offseason, and while he’s shown flashes of the guy who once went #1 overall in the draft, the jury is still very much out on whether he can be our long-term answer at quarterback. I’m still hopeful. Of course, being a Vikings fan basically means finding new and creative ways to remain hopeful despite decades of evidence suggesting otherwise.
The defense was outstanding again, and somehow our kicker is making a legitimate case for team MVP. Five field goals accounted for all 15 points in a 15-10 win, pushing the Vikings to 4-0. It hasn’t exactly been a dominant march through the NFL, but good teams find ways to win games when everything isn’t clicking. Four weeks in, the Vikings keep doing exactly that. I’ll happily take ugly and undefeated. SKOL!
@toddswank Jordan Mason gave the Vikings a running game. We enjoyed it briefly. 😂 Now we wait. Hurry back, Jordan. 🟣 #SKOL #Vikings #JordanMason #NFL ♬ Unleash the Beast - Apple Core
@toddswank More than 5000 hand carved pumpkins at the Minnesota Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular! #jackolantern #pumpkin #minnesota #halloween ♬ original sound - Todd Swank
@toddswank Used AI to give Mystic Lake’s construction a fast-forward button. Looking at that entrance, I’m starting to think my slot losses should qualify for a naming plaque. 😂 #MysticLake #PriorLake #Minnesota #AI ♬ sonido original - serendipity
@toddswank Five field goals. Every single Vikings point. Against the Dolphins. Somebody get our kicker an ice pack for his foot and another for his back from carrying this entire team. 😂💜 #SKOL #Vikings #NFL #KickersMatter #MiamiDolphins ♬ original sound - Broken.
