By Don Fowler

They’re back!

It is Halloween time, and that means pumpkin time at Roger Williams Park Zoo.

In what has become an annual event, the zoo opens its pathways to a spectacular array of carved and painted pumpkins of all sizes and shapes – this year with a 75 year history of television theme.

You may even see a few animals along the way. I enjoyed watching a buffalo standing right next to a speaker playing the theme from “The Brady Bunch.”

The pathways are wide and unobstructed as you view tens of thousands of Jack-O-Lanterns, brilliantly lit, many at children’s eye level and many high among the tall trees lining the paths.

The trail begins at the zoo entrance, where popcorn, ice cream and other goodies are for sale, all helping to support the zoo. You’ll see skeletons, ghosts and other scary displays to get you in the holiday mood before arriving at the pumpkin trail where more pumpkins than you’ve ever seen in one place greet you.

Each pumpkin has been carefully carved or painted to depict television characters and events, bringing back fond memories of the different decades.

This year, you are treated to a number of gigantic pumpkins that must have taken dump trucks to get them to their locations.

I reached the third wooden bridge at the peak of a gorgeous sunset. Looking across the pond at the red sky with pumpkins galore forming a frame was a sight to behold.

Attending this annual event helps support the zoo. You must order your tickets online in advance at Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Adult tickets are sold for $18 weekdays and $21 for weekends. Children are $15 and $18.

Hours are 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with last tickets sold at $10 p.m. Free parking. No dogs (except service dogs). No smoking. Handicapped parking. Strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are okay.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular runs through Oct. 31.