Transylvania adds magic show, Halloween concert for 14th annual PumpkinMania Festival

Transylvania University's PumpkinMania Festival presented by UK Federal Credit Union once again manifests in all its spooky glory this October.

Beginning Oct. 1, you can reserve free tickets to participate in the Oct. 27, community jack-o'-lantern carving - and have your creation join more than 500 others to glow on the steps of historic Old Morrison each night through Halloween. Other festival events include popular Los Angeles magician Joseph Tran on Oct. 25 and a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween Concert the next afternoon.

The family-friendly carving is from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. that Sunday in Old Morrison Circle off Third Street, and it will include activity tables and food vendors like Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck, Kirk's Blue Smoke BBQ, Bert's SpeakCheezy and Beverly Ann's Cookies & Ice Cream. Pumpkins and carving supplies will be provided - while tickets aren't required to enjoy the festival, they'll ensure you can carve a jack-o'-lantern, which is being sourced from a local farm through Black Soil.

Kicking things off that Friday, Tran performs his magic show in Haggin Auditorium at 7 p.m. Known as someone who "makes boring disappear," his acts "combine self-deprecating humor, outrageous stories of his journey from poor kid in Hollywood to less-poor magician in Hollywood, and incredible magic," according to his bio. Get tickets.

Then on that Saturday, Transylvania's choirs, band and orchestra join the Scott County and Great Crossing high school choirs for the free SPOOKTACULAR Halloween Concert at 2:30 p.m. in Haggin. The fun event will feature performers dressed in costumes and scary music like "Danse Macabre," the "Halloween" movie theme and "Carmina Burana."

Additionally, from Oct. 23-27, Transylvania Theater presents the dark comedy "The Moors" as part of this year's Mainstage Series.

Parking for festival events is available in the Transylvania lots and on surrounding streets.

When it's all over Nov. 1, the jack-o'-lanterns on display will be collected as feed for local livestock.

Check out national news coverage from last year's PumpkinMania:

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