As the sun rose on Friday, the smiles on jack-o-lanterns went from welcoming or menacing to pointless or pensive. What is to be done with carved pumpkin now it’s November? Fortunately for puzzled pumpkin owners, the Iowa Children’s Museum (ICM) has an answer: splat them.
On Saturday, the museum is bringing its annual Jack Splat back to the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp in downtown Iowa City.
Jack Splat is just what it sounds like. Museum staff will be collecting superannuated jack-o-lanterns from people at the parking ramp for an extreme form of composting, that can also double as a gourd-based demonstration of gravity, as the pumpkins go flying off the top of the ramp starting at 10 a.m., while spectators in Chauncey Swan Park cheer the splatting.
“Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy the high-flying pumpkin action and a fun fall morning in the park,” ICM recommended is a statement about this year’s Jack Splat.
While all pumpkins have a certain natural splat potential, Jack Splat pumpkins must meet certain standards that the museum lists on its site.
• Pumpkins must be gutted (this is Jack SPLAT, not Jack THUD).
• Please remove candles, artificial lighting, or any other decorations that are in or attached to the pumpkin. This includes stickers, ribbons, and remnants of candle wax inside.
• We compost Jack Splat pumpkins. Ones that have been painted or coated with a preserving sealant should not be added to a compost pile. Pumpkins coated with glitter should not be composted.
• We reserve the right to reject your pumpkin if it doesn’t meet our Jack Splat standards.
“This year’s event promises a high-flying spectacle and plenty of SPLATS, as hundreds of pumpkins will be launched from the top of the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp,” ICM said. “As the pumpkins fall, families can also enjoy lively sing-alongs, gourd awards like ‘Biggest Pumpkin’ and ‘Grossest Splat,’ and other hauntingly fun surprises.”
“The event will also have hands-on activities hosted by museum educators, the Iowa City Public Library, and Iowa City Parks and Recreation. Families can also check out books from the ICPL Bookmobile and breakfast will be available throughout the event from local food trucks like Caribbean Kitchen, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, Snacky Mini Mart, and Wich-Uh-Waffle.”
As a matter of transparency, I should mention that Little Village is one of Jack Splat’s sponsors. LV supports composting, especially when it involves tossing compostables off a multi-story parking structure.
