We’re in the golden age of jack-o-lanterns. It’s easy to discern the why—online photo sharing has made pumpkin carving into an arms race for upvotes. Designs are more intricate than they’ve ever been because with a quick pic, the work won’t rot in early November but rather shine internationally and forever. The jack-o-lantern is an opportunity for political expression. For aspiring artists, it’s a crowd-pleasing moment to shine—the equivalent of when failed studio musicians post quirky Taylor Swift covers.
As we spelunk into a slimy, ill-advised cave of a weekend, let’s first take a moment to appreciate the jack-o-lantern class of 2014.
First, here’s a moose eating some dude’s pumpkin
Photo via marty_mcsharty/Reddit
Frowny cat jack-o-lantern
Photo via Dallas Morning News
Gamergate jack-o-lantern
Just finished carving my pumpkin! #germergoat pic.twitter.com/zjHWfN6gw1
— Joe Newlin (@joe_newlin) October 27, 2014
Krang jack-o-lantern
Photo via youbentmywookie
3D printer jack-o-lantern
Photo via fabsterdam/Instagram
The Roger Williams Park Zoo Jack-O-Lantern Spectular dinosaur jack-o-lantern(s)
Photo via Roger Williams Park Zoo/HudsonValley.org
Robin Williams jack-o-lantern
Photo via Roger Williams Park Zoo/USA Today
First place in the NFC East, your 6-2 Dallas Cowboys jack-o-lantern 
Photo via That Pumpkin Dude/Gamedayr.com
Traditional Irish turnip jack-o-lantern
Traditional Irish turnip Jack o’ Lantern #Halloween #SpookyTweet #history pic.twitter.com/DznULkJdSZ
— Heritage Discoveries (@HeritageDiscove) October 30, 2014
Corporate shill jack-o-lantern
Trick or treat. Give your tank something good to eat. pic.twitter.com/oKH5tBWYUh
— Shell Oil Company (@Shell_US) October 31, 2014
Squishy #JackOLantern
Squishy-face! Halloween #JackOLantern pic.twitter.com/gfyBK5xWyq
— Teresa Hawk Horror (@HawkFiction) October 31, 2014
Photo via Patrick Buechner/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
