News Flash / “Saw” Actor Makes an Appearance, Emerging from a Pumpkin Field on Taipei Streets

Reported and photographed by Reporter Yu  Ru / Taipei

Pumpkin monsters appear in Taipei at night! The artsy Huashan 1914 Creative Park transforms dramatically after dark starting today (Oct. 4). Not only do ghostly figures occasionally emerge from the building walls, but pumpkin monsters also pop up one by one from beneath the grass, vividly showing off their sharp, mischievous eyes and gaping, grinning expressions. The dim, translucent lighting in the darkness creates a mysterious and fun atmosphere. Even the actor from "Saw" made a personal appearance, drawing gasps from the crowd.


▲ Sixty large and small pumpkins emerge from the grass.


▲ Pumpkin monsters and a "Play What Game" actor impersonating the "Saw" character appear on the lawn.


▲ The internet-famous actor who played the "Saw" character makes a personal appearance, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Sixty large and small pumpkins emerge from the grass. As dusk falls, the pumpkins in the field seem to come to life, glowing with faint lights and appearing vividly in the darkness with gaping, toothy grins. Coupled with ghostly figures that appear intermittently on the building walls, the park is transformed into a Halloween-themed magical celebration full of spooky fun.

To promote the Hong Kong Halloween Festival kicking off on October 1, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has set up the “Taipei Halloween Pumpkin Festival” at Huashan Park for the first time from October 4 to 9, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition to being led by the Hong Kong Halloween ambassador, Pumpkin Man, the internet’s most viral 2012 video star — the “Play What Game” actor impersonating the “Saw” character — is challenging the Hong Kong Halloween Festival and defeating numerous pumpkin monsters in the park, leading a horde of demons in a wild pumpkin party and recreating the classic “Play What Game.”


▲ Pumpkin Man, who previously appeared on Taipei streets, also shows up in the pumpkin field.


▲ Scan the QR code on the pumpkins for a chance to go to Hong Kong for Halloween.

Xu Weini, Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Taiwan Office, said: “October is Hong Kong Halloween Festival month. Major malls, restaurants, bars, and theme parks are all offering unique Halloween-themed events, filling the entire city with a festive Halloween vibe. To let people in Taiwan also experience the Halloween spirit, we’ve specially created the Taipei Halloween Pumpkin Festival at Huashan.”

In response to the classic Halloween slogan “Trick or treat,” the Hong Kong Tourism Board has launched a double promotion during the event. Aside from exchanging photos taken with pumpkins for Halloween candy, visitors can also scan the QR codes on the pumpkins to win over 2,500 mystery gifts, with the grand prize including a Hong Kong flight-and-hotel holiday package.