NEWPORT, Ky. — For anyone who’s ready to dive into fall, but still wants to keep a tropical vibe, a new exhibit at the Newport Aquarium might be worth checking out.
Underwater Pumpkin Glow is a new immersive event at the Newport Aquarium featuring sculptures of different aquatic animals, all made from pumpkins. Public relations manager Madison Brady said the aquarium has spent two years crafting this experience to inject some fall fun.
“I mean, this is the closest you can get, I think, to the tropics in landlocked Kentucky. So it’s really cool to be able to bring that year round,” Brady said. “A lot of this is not just new for our guests, it’s new for our animals, too. The pumpkins serve as a form of enrichment. So they’re basically artificial coral reefs for them.”
Brady said she thinks the most impressive sculpture has to be the massive 13-feet-tall octopus submerged in the 385-thousand gallon shark tank.
But pumpkins and pumpkin sculptures can be found throughout the aquarium. Bits of the pumpkin will also serve as seasonal fall treats for the animals, as they’ll eventually be carved up by divers.
Underwater Pumpkin Glow runs from now until Nov. 3. and tickets are available online.