Thousands of people flooded into Reiman Gardens this weekend for their annual “Spirits in the Gardens” pumpkin event. The garden was lit by the glow of over 1,000 jack-o-lanterns and light shows along the pumpkin viewing path.

People flocked from across Iowa to see one of the three nights when the garden was decorated. The event was very popular with families and had many kids roaming in costumes with trick or treat bags to be filled. 

By using a timed-entry system, Reiman was able to accommodate over 3,165 guests Sunday night alone. Both Friday and Saturday nights were sold out for the massive event. 

At the gate to enter the gardens, Bob Bergmann was helping direct the large number of excited visitors and welcome them in to see the pumpkins. Bergmann was a former Iowa State employee in the Office of Institutional Research and is in his fifth year working with Reiman Gardens. 

“This is one of the best, most enjoyable events of the year […] because people really like to come out,” Bergmann said.

Evelyn Khew, a graduate student in computer science, and Catherine Sharp, a former Iowa State student, were attending the event Sunday night for the third year in a row after first hearing about it during their time as students. They were excited to see the differences in the displays through the years they have gone.

“I like that they changed up the [pumpkin viewing] route and that it is different from year to year,” Sharp said.

Arushi Suresh, a junior studying English, has been interning with Reiman Gardens as their Volunteer Engagement Intern through the planning process for this year’s Spirits in the Gardens event. She was happy to see how well the event had gone and to work with the volunteers that made the pumpkin show possible.

“I think [the event] has been a great success,” Suresh said. “I just enjoy working with the volunteers […] and I like seeing the kids in costumes.”