Valdosta, Georgia (IAAPA NEWS) - “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” had a hard time fitting into his pumpkin patch, but he found the perfect home this year at Wild Adventures.
Spookley is the new star of Great Pumpkin LumiNights, an event the park has hosted every year since 2021. The event carries on a tradition of fall fun, with an emphasis on bringing families together.
From an array of pumpkin spice-themed food and beverage options, to glowing pumpkin sculptures throughout the park, Wild Adventures focuses on family-friendly experiences as an alternative to edgier haunted attractions.
“In this community here in Valdosta, in Lowndes County, it's a lot of families,” explains Donald Spiller, vice president and general manager, describing the direction of Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
“It's a lot of family values. It's a lot of Herschend values, and it really fits well with this property and with the breadth of our offerings, with the animals, with the rides,” Spiller continues. “Family is really what our guests are looking for here in South Georgia.”
Unlike attractions that partner with intellectual property (IP) geared toward adults, Great Pumpkin LumiNights features the smiling face of “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” this year.
Originating in “The Legend of Spookley,” a book that was subsequently adapted into several animated musical films, Spookley tells the story of a square pumpkin who earns recognition for his heroic actions, despite not being round like the other pumpkins in the patch.
The feel-good tale of inclusion and belonging made Spookley a natural fit for Wild Adventures as the park introduced the character to the event. Guests can experience “Story Time with Spookley,” followed by a character meet-and-greet and photo opportunities.
“Spookley is such a great partner for us with this event,” Spiller tells IAAPA News.
“It's family friendly. It works with the Trick-or-Treat Trail, and it's something that we've been thinking about for a while. To be able to partner with them and for it to come together was a great thing.”
Collaboration between Herschend Creative Studio, Wild Adventures, and Spookley’s stakeholders was key to ensuring the character was properly incorporated into the event.
“We work with [Herschend] Creative Studios to come up with what it’s going to look like, and there's communication with the Spookley IP and making sure that it's on brand with them as well,” Spiller says.
“That partnership has been incredible. They're really great people to work with, and it really came together nicely.”
Spookley’s “home” this year is along Spookley’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, which winds through the South Georgia swampland.
The candy stops are located along the Alapaha Trail, a pathway that was recently restored and reopened for guests this season.
Guest feedback steered the decision to make this trail a pivotal part of Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
“Guests are wanting experiences they can do together as a family, not necessarily a ride,” Spiller says.
“What are these moments that they can spend time together? We always had trick or treat here [at the park], but it wasn't a trail. So, to have something where it's a more broad experience that people can do as a family together is the feedback that we got and the focus that we had for this season.”
Spiller sees the value in reinvestments like the Alapaha Trail, which broadens the guest experience and create opportunities for event activations.
“It's an important part of the park’s history,” Spiller says of the decision to reinvest in the section of the trail.
“Guests who have been coming here for 30 years remember going on that trail when they were little, and now they're here with their kids," Spiller continues.
"To have an area you don't find everywhere as a part of our park, we've got animal exhibits along there, and it's a beautiful, serene area.
I think to bring that back as a memory piece parents can have with their children going forward is an important part of the history of the park.”
Wild Adventures’ existing offerings, with the new IP added to the annual event, creates a value-driven package.
“Great Pumpkin LumiNights is an overlay on a property that has over 300 animals, over 30 rides and attractions, and this is bringing all of that to life as well,” Spiller says.
“And the Spookley addition takes it over the top.”
